Your 2026 Surf Year, Curated by Tropicsurf
The Right 2026 Trip. The Right Time. Zero Guesswork.
You’ve earned it… a moment to step away and immerse yourself in rare surf destinations where luxury, adventure, and nature flow in perfect harmony. But finding the right destination at the right time? That’s where Tropicsurf steps in.
With decades of swell forecasting experience, and expert guides stationed across over twenty luxury resorts, we take the guesswork out of surf travel. Whether you’re chasing hollow perfection, trimming down turquoise walls, or learning to glide for the first time, we’ll match your style, skill level, and season to perfection.
Here’s your 2026 surf calendar — quarter by quarter — crafted by Tropicsurf.
Image: Another unridden right, West Papua (Indonesia).
Image: Seaplane surfari, the ultimate rockstar experience in the Maldives.
Image: 2025 Surfing Championships Trophy, Kuda Huraa, Maldives. Book your front row seat for 2026.
Q1: January – March
Destinations: St Barts | Mexico (Pacific Coast) | Seychelles | Sri Lanka | Indonesia (West Papua) | Australia (Noosa) | Maldives
Ease into the year with mellow conditions and sunlit sessions.
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St Barts turns on its winter charm, serving up playful Caribbean peaks under the sun. Choose a beachfront villa just steps from the surf at Hotel Manapany.
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Mexico’s Pacific coast delivers mellow waves and tropical warmth before the summer heat sets in. At this time of year, Four Seasons Punta Mita is the standout choice.
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Seychelles at its peak for turquoise walls, calm seas and steady north swells delivering a mix of playful and powerful waves — ideal for all surfing levels. For the ultimate experience, combine the remote islands of Four Seasons Desroches and Alphonse Island Resort.
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Sri Lanka delivers dependable swells and warm-water consistency. Anantara Tangalle is a secluded hideaway, well away from the crowds that gather during peak tourist season.
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Indonesia (West Papua) comes alive with clean, reliable swells — mostly shoulder to head-high, and occasionally bigger for those chasing a little extra power. With no resorts in this remote region, our secret waves are accessible only by charter yacht. Choose a private charter or book by the cabin.
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Noosa, Australia, turns on its signature point breaks under endless summer skies. It’s known to be crowded, especially during January school holidays, but scoring waves between the hordes can be incredibly rewarding.
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Maldives, especially from March onwards, serves up glassy walls and gentle reef breaks ideal for cruisers and longboarders. Skip the SW swell magnets at this time of year and aim for North Malé instead, where Four Seasons Kuda Huraa and Gili Lankanfushi deliver bonus waves without the crowds.
Image: Four Seasons Desroches, a private island surfing experience with zero crowds.
Image: Secluded Kudanil Explorer, West Papua (Indonesia)
Image: Long right peelers, Tea Tree Bay, Noosa Heads (Australia).
Q2: April – June
Destinations: Maldives | Sumba | Bali | Mexico (Cabo) | Nicaragua
The Southern Hemisphere stirs awake — swell season begins and conditions turn on across the tropics.
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Maldives hits its prime with consistent overhead lines and silky conditions. If you’re travelling over Easter, book now before availability dries up. Every Tropicsurf Maldives base lights up in Q2 — you really can’t go wrong.
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Sumba (NIHI) sees its famed lefts come alive beneath glowing sunsets. With the private break capped at just 15 surfers, this is a destination that demands forward planning and early booking.
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Bali’s dry season delivers reliable swells and waves that remind you why it’s a surf icon. Choose COMO Canggu for the vibe, or Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay to chill in stylish luxury.
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Nicaragua comes into its offshore rhythm with warm water, steady swells, and light crowds. Best of all, the left break on-property at Mukul Resort is beginning to fire.
Image: Anantara Dhigu Resort, Maldives. Home to two waves directly on property.
Image: Machines, a fast barrelling right at Six Senses Laamu Resort in the Maldives.
Image: Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali (Indonesia), where you'll find waves for all levels.
Q3: July – September
Destinations: Indonesia | Mentawais | Maldives | Seychelles | Mexico (Pacific Coast) | Nicaragua | Fiji
This is prime time — the world’s best waves, at their best.
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Indonesia’s peak season (Bali & Sumba) is in full swing, with big, clean surf and endless energy. July and August are busy in Bali, though the lineups are still manageable. At NIHI, you’re guaranteed no more than 14 others in the water. Why not experience both?
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Maldives stays at the top of the list, with offshore winds and consistent surf. Q3 is prime time here. September brings the renowned Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy (4–11 Sept 2026), where the waves never fail to cooperate. Further south, COMO Maalifushi hosts Tropicsurf’s Progression Vacation from 13–20 Sept, scheduled to take full advantage of prime conditions.
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Seychelles is considered in its off season at the outer island of Aphonse Island Resort but Four Seasons Mahe comes alive, tapping into the same swells rolling in from the roaring forties that otherwise reach the Maldives.
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Mexico pumps with south swells and that classic tropical energy. Choose One&Only Mandarina or Four Seasons Punta Mita, depending on your preferred vibe (jungle or beach)
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Nicaragua hits its stride with consistent offshore winds, inviting swells, and an easygoing lineup vibe. Offshore conditions almost every day, with unlimited waves right on your villa’s doorstep. Mukul Resort delivers exceptional value and uncrowded waves that punch well above its weight.
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Fiji is in its peak season with consistent ground swells, light winds, and perfectly formed waves across the reefs.
Image: Beach rides at NIHI, Sumba (Indonesia) where the horses are nearly as famous as the wave.
Image: Occy's Left, NIHI, Sumba (Indonesia). Guaranteed never to have more than 15 surfers in the lineup.
Image: Pure stoke, COMO Maalifushi, Maldives.
Q4: October – December
Destinations: Philippines | Costa Rica | Maldives | Caribbean | Seychelles | Mexico (Pacific Coast) | Nicaragua | Indonesia (West Papua) | Sri Lanka
As the year winds down, the pace slows and the crowds thin — ideal for a final surf escape.
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Philippines (Nay Palad) offers good winds and clean, consistent waves with plenty of variety. In a relatively short surf season, Q4 is when Nay Palad Hideaway Resort truly shines. Plan ahead to make the most of what Siargao Island has to offer.
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Costa Rica stands out with glassy mornings and fun, friendly surf. Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique Resort is just 15 minutes by boat from playful waves, or 45 minutes from the famous Witches Rock barrels.
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Maldives enjoys its mellow shoulder season. Don’t overlook October and November — two months that are often more consistent than you might think. Six Senses Laamu frequently delivers excellent waves at this time of year.
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The Caribbean starts to feel the first winter pulses. St Barths comes alive as surfers head to Hotel Manapany, the island’s premier beachfront resort. Lucky for us, one of the region’s most consistent waves is right on the property.
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Seychelles / Four Seasons Desroches says goodbye to the trade winds of Q3 and begins to come alive with warm offshore winds and clean, consistent swells. The perfect escape for a tropical surf holiday over Christmas and New Year.
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Mexico’s Pacific Coast lights up with long-period swells, warm days, and consistently reliable waves. Four Seasons Punta Mita and One&Only Mandarina make the perfect pair.
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Indonesia (West Papua) offers shoulder-high to occasional overhead secret waves, with no other surfers in sight. Take a private charter for the ultimate festive vacation.
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Sri Lanka offers sunny skies, gentle offshore breezes, and consistent chest to overhead size swells. Soak up the vibrant surf culture at Cape Weligama, or find your zen down the coast at Anantara Tangalle.
Image: Nay Palad Hideaway beachfront resort, Phillipines.
Image: Ying Yangs at Six Senses Laamu Resort, Maldives.
Image: Family surf and boat day at Waldorf Astoria, Costa Rica.
Image: An empty left along our secret West Papua (Indonesia) cruising itinerary.
While we can’t control the swell, we can stack the odds in your favour. With Tropicsurf’s insider knowledge, local expertise, and access to the world’s finest waves and resorts, your 2026 surf calendar practically plans itself.
All you need to do is drop us a line — ready, and frothing. We’ll take care of the rest.
Get in touch with a Tropicsurf Travel Designer to plan your 2026 escape.
Image: Solo surf session, Sumba (Indonesia)
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