Americas Brazil
Itacaré
Rainforest on one side, surf on the other.
BEST WAVES THIS MONTH
Where to surf in September.
September is the favourite month of many travelling surfers. Autumn swells return to Portugal, France and Spain while the water's still warm, the Indian Ocean season carries on, and Atlantic hurricane swell peaks on the US East Coast and in the Caribbean.
61 of our 108 destinations list September in their suggested season; 29 of those usually have water at 25°C or warmer.
BEGINNER
Refine this list ↗Learning in September.
Size ranges a learner can use, and a season that suits it.
Americas 
Americas California, USA
Encinitas
Reef points. Beach-town rhythm.
Americas Panama
Playa Venao
One long bay, three levels.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itacaré | 1.1 m · 9 s · E | 26°C | Boardshorts | 13 km/h SE |
| Encinitas | 0.9 m · 13 s · SW | 22°C | Rash vest or 1 mm top | 5 km/h W |
| Playa Venao | 1.1 m · 14 s · SW | 28°C | Boardshorts | 5 km/h NW |
| San Juan del Sur | 1.3 m · 14 s · SW | 29°C | Boardshorts | 21 km/h NE |
| Biarritz | 1.0 m · 10 s · NW | 21°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 12 km/h NW |
| Santa Catalina | 1.0 m · 13 s · SW | 29°C | Boardshorts | 9 km/h W |
INTERMEDIATE
Refine this list ↗Progressing in September.
More days with real size, without constantly being over your head.
Asia West Sumatra, Indonesia
Mentawai Islands
The benchmark for perfect tropical reef waves.
Americas La Libertad, Peru
Huanchaco
Reed boats, long lefts and ancient ruins.
Asia Sri Lanka
Arugam Bay
East-coast points. Slow days.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentawai Islands | 1.9 m · 15 s · S | 29°C | Boardshorts | 18 km/h SE |
| Huanchaco | 1.7 m · 13 s · S | 16°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 16 km/h S |
| Arugam Bay | 1.7 m · 10 s · S | 29°C | Boardshorts | 34 km/h SW |
| Lobitos | 1.7 m · 14 s · S | 17°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 18 km/h SE |
| Batu Karas | 2.0 m · 14 s · S | 26°C | Boardshorts | 22 km/h SE |
| Puerto Escondido | 1.7 m · 14 s · S | 30°C | Boardshorts | 11 km/h NW |
ADVANCED
Refine this list ↗Charging in September.
The most days with size and long-period swell.
Africa South Africa
Jeffreys Bay
One of the world's great right-hand points.
Oceania Western Australia
Margaret River
Raw Indian Ocean power and world-class wine.
Oceania French Polynesia
Tahiti
Heavy reef passes and black-sand beaches.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffreys Bay | 2.8 m · 12 s · SW | 17°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 21 km/h SE |
| Margaret River | 3.2 m · 14 s · SW | 18°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 26 km/h W |
| Tahiti | 2.3 m · 13 s · S | 26°C | Boardshorts | 23 km/h E |
| Uluwatu | 1.9 m · 14 s · SW | 26°C | Boardshorts | 15 km/h SE |
| Canggu | 1.9 m · 14 s · SW | 26°C | Boardshorts | 15 km/h SE |
| Mentawai Islands | 1.9 m · 15 s · S | 29°C | Boardshorts | 18 km/h SE |
Rankings combine ERA5 open-ocean data (2015–2024) with our suggested seasons. They describe typical months, not this year's surf, and sheltered spots can be much smaller than the figures here. How this works.