The 5 Best Family-Friendly Surf Destinations

Land at Honolulu International Airport and immediately you're in paradise. The birthplace of surfing as we know it today, a week or two in Waikiki is good for the soul.

A tourist hub for travelers from around the world, everything you need is right there. Catch an Uber from the airport, and you don't even have to rent a car. From the historic Royal Hawaiian to the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and the Moana Surfrider, the South Shore nostalgia runs deep. Hike Diamond Head and really soak in the vista (just be sure to bring your walking shoes).

The waves around Waikiki are generally user-friendly and good for leads learning how to get to their feet for the first time. The local beach boys offer lessons and are great at working with tourists. There are also surfboard rentals available in the area. Around Diamond Head are a few more advanced breaks that work on the constant trade swells. And in the winter, a trip across the island to the North Shore to see famous spots like Waimea Bay, Pipeline and Sunset Beach will get everyone fired up.

2. Mal Pias, Costa Rica

Mal Pias in Costa Rica ticks the tropical and exotic boxes of a Central American adventure while also being a remarkably family-friendly getaway. A dependable surf zone on the Pacific side of the country, there are amble surf setups in the area, from reefs and points to beachbreaks.

Located south of Playa Hermosa and Tamarindo, Mal Pias can be a bit on the remote side, which means getting there is half the fun. The best way to get there is to fly into the country's capital of San Jose, then catch a flight to Tambor. It’s a 40-minute taxi ride to Mal Pais from the airport. The alternative is a two-hour drive from San Jose to Puntarenas, where a 70-minute ferry ride will get you to Paquera, and from there, it’s another two-hour drive to Mal Pais. There are also bus options, but as you might imagine, those are for the more adventurous spirit (who’s traveling on a limited budget).

There is an abundance of accommodations in the area. From camping to five-star resorts, get as adventurous as you like. Mal Pais is located on the edge of the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, so when you're not in the water, the eco-tourism goes off. Think zip lining through the rainforest canopy and meandering hikes in the jungle. Mix things up by jumping on a ferry across to the Gulf of Nicoya and exploring Jaco and Herradura.

3. Sunshine Coast, Australia

Road tripping through Australia is a beautiful thing, and Noosa on the Sunshine Coast is a must. Idyllic in every sense, a few waves at Tea Tree Bay are all it takes to make the magic happen.

Tea Tree Bay is certainly the most well-known break in the area, but there are other spots that can provide a bounty of fun for surfers of all ability levels. Little Cove and Rock Wall are great for those just getting into the sport. Granite Bay offers more size and power. First Point is another great spot for styling on the longboard. 

The nearby National Park is beautiful and worth a visit. Both the Noosa Heads Surf Club and the Sunshine Beach Surf Club can help answer questions or give you some local insights that you might not otherwise find in a guidebook. 

4. San Sebastian, Spain

Surf tripping and culture go together like tapas and red wine. Nestled in the heart of Europe’s Basque region, San Sebastian has it all. There are some fun waves in the center of town. You can surf right off the main promenade if you like, and there are plenty of setups to explore in the surrounding countryside. Not far from the Spanish/French border, San Sebastian is also a short jaunt from world-class beachbreaks like Hossegor, as is the iconic pointbreak at Mundaka. With swell and tide conditions dictating when and where to surf, being centrally located somewhere like San Sebastian has its perks.

The quiet Basque town is also famous for its food, most notably the tapas. The nightlife is stellar as dinners can meander on for hours, but this is Europe, and a lot of places close in the afternoon for siesta and don’t open again until later in the evening, around 9:00 pm, which can be a challenge if you have some hungry kids to feed.

Historically speaking, San Sebastian holds plenty of treasures. Spend time walking the old, cobblestone park of town, known as Part Vieja, and take in the shops and Old World sights.

5. Tofino, British Colombia

Canada’s all about surfing these days, and Tofino in British Colombia has become the epicenter of the surf scene. A logging and fishing town until waves in the area started beckoning to more and more people, it's become a hot vacation spot. The summer months in Tofino see an influx of surfers and traveler types.

It may require a little thicker wetsuit, but that’s a minor price to pay for enjoying such a pristine surf zone with so much wildlife and scenery. Long Beach and Chesterman Beach both offer long, sandy beach with plenty of room to move and peaks to share. A number of surf shops and surf schools have popped up in recent years, so gearing up and getting to your feet for the first time shouldn’t be too much of an issue. 

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay, you can go rustic or five-star. Since everything in town revolves around the ocean, most vacation rentals and lodges are located either on the beach or just a few breezy steps from the sand. If you really want to go big, check out the Wickaninnish Inn, located on a private point; it's not short on amenities and creature comforts.