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7 Surf Towns That Are the Perfect Summer Escape

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7 Surf Towns That Are the Perfect Summer Escape

Originally posted on SURFER | By Jason Lock | Last updated Jun 27, 2026 9:36 AM ET

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Usually the summer months in the northern hemisphere, means swells are on the slow go at spots across the globe. For many surf zones, it means staring at endless high pressure on the charts, flat oceans – and just holding out for any hope that a tiny pulse will flitter to shore.

But surfing in the summer has never been about pumping waves, in this part of the world anyway. It's about taking it slower, enjoying the mellower side of surfing – or switching to a longer board. It's also about time on the beach, gathered around a campfire, or sipping a few ice cold chillers as the sun goes down.

The greatest summer surf towns, all over the world, know this. And so do the residents. It's about the feeling of summer instead of anything else. Unless you're right in the path of those summery swells, which a select few are, and then you could be on for some of the best surf of your life.

Bundoran – Ireland's Surfing Heart

You've likely only seen Bundoran going off in the depths of an Irish winter. The Peak is a world-class wave that commands attention and is somewhat overshadowed by Mullaghmore, the country's harrowing XXL wave. When the Atlantic calms down, Bundoran becomes a different place entirely. Live music spills out of pubs and the coastline somehow looks better when the sun decides to make an appearance. There's still a few waves to be found, away from the main spots – you just need the Atlantic to breathe a bit of life into it. One of Europe's greatest surf towns may also be one of its friendliest too.

One of Ireland's favourite surf joints, gets a bit calmer, mellower in the summer months. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images.Photo&colon; Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images&period;

Hossegor – Small Waves, Big Community

The heart of Hossegor is underpinned by a flagship Quiksilver store. Surrounding it is patisseries, bars, pubs and the works. During the summer months, expect to see people pack out this hub area, sipping beers under a dominating French sun. The sandbars are very much still there. But instead of attempting to avoid getting guillotined at some of the most powerful beachbreaks on the planet, you may find playful waves, warm water and one of Europe's greatest beach towns operating at full energy. It's one of those places where you can log in the morning and just enjoy the history and culture of France, with options to head to Biarritz or take in the Basque Coast to make the most of swells getting into the Bay of Biscay. By sun-down, it's a different, very vibrant story.

France's gorgeous surf town fronts the shoreline. Photo: Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.Photo&colon; Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images&period;

Puerto Escondido – XXL Summer Waves For the Committed

Here's the reality, Puerto Escondido doesn't really do down days. Summer in Mexico opens the town to some pumping, world-class, XXL surf – setting off the likes of Mexican Pipeline at Playa Zicatela. The summer months are where this little surf hub earns its reputation. If Zicatela is absolutely harrowing, you can head a bit further down the beach to find some more inviting waves. As for the area, it's the rainy season, rife with tropical storms and hot and humid temperatures. The good news is, the seafood is some of the best around, with beachfront restaurants like Restaurante Pez Gallo being the more popular in the town. Head over to watch a swell, then find a couple of waves with way less grunt. Unless you're looking for gigantic beachbreak waves.

Not to be taken lightly. Photo: Tony Heff/World Surf League via Getty Images.Photo&colon; Tony Heff/World Surf League via Getty Images&period;

Sayulita – Slow-Down Amongst a Longboard Haven

If Puerto Escondido is about scoring crazy waves, or watching them, we don't judge -- then Sayulita is about finding then fun and enjoying the feeling on the ground. Don't get us wrong, it is still a brilliant place to surf, when those summery pulses come through. The joint's mellow points and beachies are ideal for longboarders and families – wrapped up in an ego-free vibe. Surf schools dot the beach, beginners catch their first waves and surfers happily swap shortboards for single fin, retro classics and logs. It's warm, it's tropical and there's a laidback rhythm all around you.

Perfect for a little summer cruise. Photo: Nik West/Getty Images.Photo&colon; Nik West/Getty Images&period;

Santa Teresa – Costa Rican Perfection

Behind a somewhat relaxed atmosphere is one of central America's most consistent stretches of coastline. Like Mexico, Costa Rica is in its rainy season, featuring massive swells that detonate across the shoreline. Santa Teresa may just be one of the world's greatest summer surf towns; a laid back, rugged little coastal joint on the Nicoya Peninsula – famous for pristine white sands, dense jungle and a bit of nightlife to boot. The town stretches along a single road – with an incredible food scene popped up around it. There are world-class waves all along this stretch, with perhaps the most famous being Playa Hermosa – which is only a few minutes away from the main strip. Back in 2022, Playa Hermosa officially became the 12th World Surfing Reserve on the planet – protecting this remarkable wave for generations to come.

The only way in and out of this brilliant surf town. Photo: Kryssia Campos/Getty Images.

San Clemente -- Celebrate Surf Legacy

Few places wear surfing heritage quite like San Clemente. This is SoCal at its absolute finest. Summer's a fine time to visit too – those south swells can filter up out of the South Pacific with a lot of long-period energy, though far less consistent than the winter months of course. The water's in the 70s, and the days are longer during the summer. Surfing dates back almost 100-years-ago, when the early surfers made their way to the area in the 1930s and 40s, utilizing heavy wooden planks to surf on, laying the path for California's surf culture. Trestles is the area's, and maybe even the world's, crown jewel of high performance surfing – and one of the reasons why the shortboard revolution dominated the 60s and 70s. With all that history, it's easy to see why San Clemente is a popular choice for surfers, not just in the summer, but all year around.