6 Top Surf Spots in September To Welcome in the Swell Season

September is a great month for surfing on the Outer Banks. The hurricane season—which runs from June through November—is in full swing, and this brings powerful swells to the Atlantic coastline. But therein lies the double-edged sword of surfing. While hurricanes can bring decent surf, these storms can be incredibly destructive forces, washing away houses and obliterating everything in their path. Typically, these storms will form around the Caribbean and continue up to the East Coast, causing destruction along the way. After the hurricane passes is usually the best time to score these types of swells, or the forerunners before the full force of the storm hits. What we do know is that local barrel hound Brett Barley will be on it, no matter where the storm lands.

Honolulu, Hawaii

September is a transitional time for Hawaii. South swells still run out of the South Pacific, creating some moments of great surf for the South Shore of Oahu. Typically, September isn't the best time for the North Shore's seven-mile miracle; Pipeline comes alive a bit later in the season. For now, however, consider Waikiki as a destination for the start of the northern hemisphere swell season. At this point in time, swells have traveled for thousands of miles from north of New Zealand and across the Pacific, eventually landing on Oahu's South Shore.

The waves are not as large as their winter equivalent, but this is a great opportunity to longboard around the area. September can retain some mellowness, while offering a few bigger days across the month until the seasons fully transition.

Hossegor, France

The end of summer is a great time for the hallowed shores of Hossegor. The Bay of Biscay is a swell-sucking magnet, drawing in surf from the Atlantic, which wakes up as September rolls in.

The trick to scoring French barrel perfection isn't waiting for the biggest of swells—it is those in-between moments, the midsized swells, that really set this joint alive. That's because most of Hossegor, and the coast of France, is made up of beach breaks. When the swell period is too great, it overpowers the sandbars, creating close-outs. If you get the right combination of morning swell and size, you will likely find one of the best barrels of your life—albeit a quick in and out—but the vision from inside the keg is extraordinary. Get in early, before the wind switches on shore in the afternoon, and enjoy those classic French September sessions.

Long Island, New York

Although Long Island is around 500 miles north of the Outer Banks, this region is still in the East Coast hurricane path, and September is really the start of prime surf season here. The 165 miles that make up Long Island's shoreline can offer up dozens of surf spots across fall and into winter—from Rockaway in the west to the tip of Montauk Point far out to the east. The water is still relatively warm as well, with the average September water temperature around 72°F (it will be a few months until the temperature turns freezing, as low as 40°F in December).

There may not be "world-class" surf across Long Island, but there sure is enough to get you in the water. Get in there before you're competing with white-out barrels and blizzards. Be prepared for a range of conditions.

Ericeira, Portugal

One of the best surf zones in Europe, Ericeira, Portugal, has an abundance of world-class waves. Cave, perhaps one of the greatest slabs in the world, is located along these shores, and each year it attracts big-wave hellcats who tackle its unpredictable, heavy and shallow waters.

But Ericeira is so much more than crazy waves. It is a quaint surf town that is also near other top surf locales like Coxos, Peniche and Nazaré. In fact, Ericeira was officially designated as a World Surfing Reserve back in 2011 in order to protect this special coastline.

If you're planning a surf trip to Portugal, it's worth basing yourself here and traveling out to various other spots. September is a good month to visit, right as the water remains warm and the North Atlantic starts burping up swells for the western flank of the Old Continent.

Taghazout, Morocco

The land of right-hand points is the golden cherry of September swell seasons. If you can get to the Kingdom of Morocco, there are multiple world-class waves across a surf zone that's absolutely primed for any swell out of the Atlantic Ocean.

Taghzout is perhaps the most famous surf village in Morocco and for good reason; Anchor Point, Killers and Panoramas are all in short distance of each other. Imsouane, further north, is one of the best longboard spots on the planet. If you're really seeking adventure, ditch the busyness of Taghazout and venture further south, into the Sahara. There are dozens of remote pointbreaks open to a whiff of swell, and you can surf largely on your own. This is the place to be for anyone with a penchant for a firing, empty, right-hand gold mine.