Après-Surf | The world’s best places to surf, sip, and stay
Image: Rio De Janeiro, Marcos Paulo Prado
The best part of surfing? Not the perfect wave, not even that moment you finally stick the drop. It’s what comes after. The post-surf haze. Salty skin, tangled hair, a well-earned hunger, and the kind of exhaustion that feels deeply satisfying. Après-surf is its own language, a universal understanding that the session isn’t truly over until there’s a drink in hand, toes in the sand, and a solid meal on the way. It’s less about fancy resorts and curated experiences, and more about knowing exactly where to be when the last wave rolls through.
From casual beach bars slinging ice-cold beers to surf-side restaurants serving up plates of the freshest seafood, the best surf towns know how to make an exit as good as the entrance. Here’s where to stay, eat, and drink when the sun dips low, the wetsuit’s peeled off, and the only thing left to do is soak it all in.
Images: The Komu Canggu, Courtesy of Expedia
Canggu, Bali
Canggu isn’t just a stop, it’s a trap. A two-week surf trip turns into a month, a scooter rental, and a newly adopted street dog that guarantees you’re never leaving. Batu Bolong and Echo Beach deliver dreamy, consistent waves, but let’s be real, the surf is just the excuse. Canggu is a full-blown lifestyle.
Mornings start with strong coffee and sunrise paddles, afternoons blur into lazy café sessions, and nights unravel with rooftop cocktails and music that always lasts longer than planned. The crowd? Aussies, Europeans, and digital nomads who swapped desk jobs for salt-streaked hair and a permanent tan. With rice paddies on one side and Bali’s best bars on the other, you’ll spend half your time in the water, and the other half rebooking your flight home.
Après-Surf: Potato Head
The undisputed Bali beach club institution. Sunset sessions here are a full-blown experience, daybeds facing the Indian Ocean, DJs spinning the perfect house set, and cocktails that taste like trouble. The crowd is sun-kissed, slightly drunk, and nowhere near ready to call it a night.
Stay: The Komu
A boutique stay designed for surfers who don’t want to rough it. The vibe is eclectic tropical modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a rooftop pool overlooking Berawa Beach, and coffee strong enough to recover from a big night out. The perfect mix of style, comfort, and surf-town energy.
Images: Le Garage Hotel Biarritz, Courtesy of Expedia
Biarritz, France
Biarritz is where European surf culture got its first passport stamp. An aristocrat’s summer retreat turned surf mecca where old-money collides with salty-haired surfers. Côte des Basques is the break that started it all, a longboarder’s paradise framed by Belle Époque mansions and a sea breeze that smells like sunscreen and freshly baked baguettes.After a session, it’s straight into post-surf mode: strolling the promenade in a wetsuit half-zipped down, stopping in at Carlos for sunset tapas.
Stay: Hôtel Le Garage
Once an old car garage, now a sleek, understated boutique stay with global appeal. Think monochrome interiors, vintage surf photography on the walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the ocean. You’re rolling out of bed straight into the lineup, no wetsuit required.
Images: Hotel Regina Biarritz, Expedia
Après-Surf: Regina Experimental
After a few at Carlos and a quick rinse to shake off the salt, head to Regina Experimental to keep the night going. The sister property to Hôtel Le Garage, Regina Experimental’s elevated cocktail bar brings a touch of Parisian cool to Biarritz’s surf scene.
Set in the iconic Régina hotel, which dates back to 1907, the bar blends Belle Époque grandeur with contemporary Basque influences. Expect artful cocktails, and a crowd that knows how to do golden hour right. The real draw? Live stand-up nights that bring together locals and travelers for a dose of comedy. Whether you're toasting a long session at Côte des Basques or settling in for an evening of sharp wit and strong drinks, this is where the après-surf crowd transitions into the night.
Images: Sea Sea Hotel Crescent Head NSW, Courtesy of Expedia
Crescent Head, Australia
Crescent Head pulls you in and slows you down. Located 45 minutes from Port Macquarie in the mid-north coast of New South Wales, it’s a longboarder’s dream. A place where time drifts with the tide, and style matters more than speed.
Killick Beach’s picture-perfect right-handers have been drawing loggers for decades. No need to pump or force a turn here, just a clean, easy glide, best paired with a classic single-fin and an appreciation for the simple things. Every winter, the Malibu Classic transforms the point into a retro surf spectacle, where old-school boards fill the lineup.
Après-Surf: Crescent Head Country Club
No pretension, just cold beers, golden-hour views, and the kind of spot where locals and weekend warriors settle in like they own the place. Perched above the bowling green, with uninterrupted views of Killick Beach, this is where you wind down post-surf with an ice-cold schooner, and a round of barefoot bowls.
Stay: Sea Sea in Crescent Head
Sea Sea nails the nostalgic surf motel vibe without feeling stuck in the past. Designed by the team behind The Slow in Bali, it leans into a laid-back 70s aesthetic with breezy sunlit spaces, sliding doors that open onto private patios, and in-room speakers primed for the hotel’s sun-drenched sounds.
Board rentals and surf lessons are right on-site, so you can roll out of bed and straight to the beach. When the session’s over, the pool is waiting, the martinis are cold, and the on-site restaurant keeps things fresh with a revolving menu of seasonally inspired plates. Arrival cocktails and canapés? Naturally.
Images: Janeiro Hotel, Rio De Janeiro, Courtesy of Expedia
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio’s surf scene is as wild as the city itself. Punchy beach breaks full of bronzed bodies, at a pace that never slows. Arpoador is the local hotspot, where the waves break right up against the city and the crowd watching from the sand is just as dialed in as the lineup.
Après-Surf: Classico Beach Club & Classico Sunset Bar
Rio’s surf crowd doesn’t just pack up after the last wave, they migrate. First stop, Classico Beach Club, where sun-faded umbrellas, grilled seafood, and ice-cold caipirinhas keep the post-surf high going. Then, as the sky turns pink, it’s up the cliffs to Classico Sunset Bar, perched above Joatinga Beach. Think panoramic ocean views, DJ sets, and cocktails with just the right amount of kick. If there’s a place that captures Rio’s endless summer energy, it’s here.
Stay: Janeiro Hotel
If James Bond were a surfer, this is where he’d stay. Brazilian modernism interiors incorporate natural wood textures, crisp lines, and windows so big they make the Atlantic feel like part of the room. The rooftop pool? An all-day affair, best paired with a good book and zero plans. With the city’s best waves and nightlife just down the street, you’re exactly where you need to be.
Images: Halcyon Mawella, Sri Lanka, Courtesy of Expedia
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s coastline is a never-ending loop of palm-fringed point breaks, reef passes, and golden beaches that make you wonder if you ever need to leave. The island’s surf scene runs deep, Arugam Bay is a world-class right-hander, while Hiriketiya’s horseshoe bay is a dreamy mix of fun peelers and crystal-clear water. Surfing here moves to its own rhythm, tuk-tuks stacked with boards, fresh coconut pit stops, and sunsets that stretch long into the night.
Après-Surf: Smoke & Bitters
Tucked in a coconut grove on Pehebiya Beach, Smoke & Bitters is where you end up when the surf’s rinsed off, the sun’s long gone, and you’re in the mood for something strong. The arrack sours hit just right, the vinyl’s always spinning, and the place carries the kind of candlelit, wood-smoked energy that makes you lose track of time. No wonder it’s a regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.
Co-owner Don Ranasinghe cut his teeth in London’s nightlife scene, running the bars at Camden’s legendary KOKO before trading concrete for coastline. His partner in crime, Lahiru Perera, built one of Sri Lanka’s most successful bar groups before bringing his culinary chops to Smoke & Bitters. Together, they’ve crafted a space that’s equal parts grit and polish—zero pretense, just great drinks, low lighting, and the kind of atmosphere that brings you back time and time again.
Stay: Halcyon Mawella
Laid-back, barefoot comfort with nothing between you and the waves except a hammock and a sandy path. A mix of modern design and Sri Lankan tropical-asian aesthetic, built for slow mornings drinking coffee by the pool, and surf-fueled afternoons.
Images: 1+2 -Hotel San Cristobel, 3 - La Copa at Todos Santos Boutique Hotel, Todos Santos, Courtesy of Expedia
Cerritos Beach, Todos Santos, Mexico
Baja is sun-scorched highways, endless coastline, and a surf scene that thrives on its own brand of unbothered cool. Cerritos, a desert-backed break with waves that roll in long and clean, is the go-to. Mornings start with strong coffee, afternoons bleed into each other, and by sunset, surfboards are swapped for salt-rimmed cocktails. This isn’t a place for a tight schedule—just drive south, roll up when the swell is right, and figure out the rest later.
Après-Surf: Barracuda Cantina & La Copa
The taco stand that made it to Netflix’s Taco Chronicles—for good reason. Barracuda Cantina is where you roll up sunburned and starving, grab a cold Pacifico, and inhale the kind of fish tacos that set the bar unreasonably high. Bonus: their mezcal margaritas slap. Hard.
Once the salt’s rinsed off and the desert breeze kicks in, it’s La Copa time. A moody little mezcal bar tucked inside the Todos Santos Boutique Hotel, where the candlelight’s low, the pours are strong, and the vibe is just mysterious enough.
Stay: San Cristóbal in Todos Santos
A desert hideout that feels unpretentious and cool. Think classic Mexican tiling, locally sourced textiles, a beachfront pool, and ocean views from every angle. The hotel restaurant leans heavily on fresh seafood, handmade tortillas, and just the right amount of spice.
Images: The Surfrider, Malibu, Courtesy of Expedia
Malibu Beach, California
Malibu isn’t trying to impress you, it doesn’t have to. It’s all salt-dried skin, slow mornings, and a sea breeze that makes even existential crises feel optional. The waves at First Point are legendary, the sun always hits just right, and The Surfrider? Well, let’s just say you’ll start checking Zillow listings before checkout.
Stay: The Surfrider, Malibu
Built in 1953 as the Malibu Shores Motel, this place has seen it all, Gidget’s first waves, the freewheeling ’60s, the hazy ’70s, the too-much-of-everything ’80s. The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, and Neil Young all left their mark here, and now, it’s been reimagined as the kind of California beach house you’d move into tomorrow if they let you.
With surfboards to borrow, sound baths at sunrise, horseback rides in the hills, and hikes that end in ocean views, The Surfrider is as effortlessly cool as Malibu itself. But the real flex? The guests-only rooftop bar. This is your golden ticket to the best sunset view in town, spritz in hand, watching surfers carve up First Point like they’ve been doing for decades.
Après-Surf: Malibu Farm Pier Café & Little Beach House Malibu
Overhyped? Maybe. Still worth it? Absolutely. The casual, order-at-the-counter side of Malibu Farm is where you go for a post-surf burger, a very necessary oat milk latte, and a front-row seat to the Pacific. No dress code, no rush, just fresh food and ocean air.
If you have the right last name or the right plus-one, Little Beach House Malibu is where you end the night. Soho House’s oceanfront outpost is all vintage Levi’s, effortless tans, and mezcal cocktails poured just right. No invite? No worries. The Surfrider’s rooftop bar is where the real ones go. Order a mezcal margarita, and enjoy the kind of Malibu sunset that makes you forget about your inbox.
Images: Long Bay Resort, Tortola, Courtesy of Expedia
Long Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Tortola is for those who know. The kind of place where you trade crowded breaks for crystal-clear peaks, where the water is so absurdly blue it looks Photoshopped. Josiah’s Bay and Apple Bay serve up glassy, tropical waves, minus the rush. No frantic dawn patrols here—just warm-water sessions, beach bonfires, and rum-fueled nights that stretch way past when you swore you’d go to bed.
Après-Surf: Bomba’s Surfside Shack
Messy in the best way. Rum punch that should come with a warning label, reggae playing just loud enough to blur the edges, and a crowd that knows how to keep the night going. It’s scrappy, it’s legendary, and you’ll wake up the next morning with sand in places you didn't realise existed.
Stay: Long Bay Resort
For those who prefer their surf escapes with a side of style. Beach villas open straight onto the sand, framed by nothing but swaying palms and a sea that shifts between every shade of blue. Despite it being a small boutique stay, there's a sleek new pool and fitness center with a sauna and spa, and a beach bar serving cocktails strong enough to make you forget you ever had plans.
Images: 1+2)Wayfinder Hotel Waikiki, 3)The Hideaway Bar at The Laylow Hotel by Autograph Collection, Courtesy of Expedia
Waikiki, Hawaii
Before the foam boards and corporate sponsors, before surf culture became an aesthetic, there was Waikiki, the original birthplace of modern surfing. Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaii’s most famous waterman, introduced the world to the sport right here, gliding effortlessly over rolling waves with a style that set the standard. Today, Waikiki still holds it’s magic, smaller, friendlier waves, golden sunsets, and a pulse that’s equal parts laid-back and electric.
It’s where first-timers get hooked and old pros come back to reset.
Après-Surf: The Hideout Rooftop
Tucked away inside The Laylow Waikiki, The Hideout is a breezy, open-air spot with craft cocktails, good music, and the kind of atmosphere that turns one drink into three. Go for a lychee martini, stay because the DJ’s actually good.
Stay: Wayfinder Waikiki
A fresh take on Waikiki’s hotel scene—cool, design-driven, and just the right amount of offbeat. Less corporate sheen, more local energy. The interiors feel worlds away from the high-rise hustle, but the beach is still right there. The saltwater pool is made for lingering, the in-house ramen spot hits the spot at midnight, and if you’re staying a while, the suites come with kitchenettes for that just-back-from-Foodland poke feast.
Images: Vanira Lodge, Courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
Teahupo’o, Tahiti
Teahupo’o doesn’t just break, it detonates. One of the heaviest, most heart-stopping waves on the planet, it’s where only the truly fearless take the drop while everyone else watches slack-jawed from a boat, Hinano beer in hand. But Tahiti isn’t all consequences and reef cuts. Papara Beach serves up fun, black-sand barrels, while Taapuna delivers those dreamy, glassy walls that make you feel like you’re in a surf film.
Stay: Vanira Lodge
Barefoot paradise with an edge. Open-air bungalows tucked into the cliffs, jungle creeping in, and an uninterrupted view of the Pacific. No WiFi, no distractions—just the sound of crashing waves and the occasional gecko skittering across the walls. Perfect for post-surf hammock naps and mornings that start with a salty sunrise paddle.
Après-Surf: Teahupo’o Beach Bar
A shack in the best way possible. Ice-cold Hinano beers, locals debating the size of the last set, and a sunset that makes you forget the rest of the world exists. Stay long enough, and someone will convince you to paddle out at first light.