If you’re looking for the best surf, then you’ll need to visit the right place.An enormous wave, after all, isn’t something that can be just artificially generated in a water park – there are obvious safety issues with a ‘wave machine’ powerful enough to propel a surfer along at the required speeds, and so the natural approach is almost always the preferable one.

Let’s run through six of the seven continents, and see if we can establish where the best surf is to be found.We’ll discount Antarctica for obvious reasons; while it certain gets its share of surf, it isn’t the sort of place that you’d want to spend much time on the water!

Australasia

Australia is something of a Mecca for surfers, boasting more than fifty thousand kilometres of coastline to conquer.It boasts a host of different surfing resorts to consider, with the most famous of them being Surfer’s Paradise in Gold Coast, Queensland.This part of the country is home to a range of different beaches, all within driving distance of the famous metal arch that fronts the beach in the actual Surfer’s Paradise district.There’s Rainbow Beach Bay, Duranbah, Kirra, and Snapper Rocks nearby, all of which combine to form an enormous ‘superbank’.If you’re in the area and like to surf, there are few better places to start your journey.Moving to Australia permanently is a popular move for surfing enthusiasts, particularly those based in the UK.Just across the Tasmanian sea, New Zealand also offers plentiful surf, with the beaches of Raglan and Piha being a particular draw.New Zealand visas for UK citizens are easier to come by than you might suspect, and they’re worth investigating if you’d like to make repeated visits to this part of the world.

Asia

Asia is among the largest of what we think of as ‘continents’, encompassing everywhere from the banks of the Ganges to the Himalayas to the Great Wall of China.As you might expect, however, the beaches of Japan and those of the Pacific Islands are able to offer the best surf.Okinawa is a tropical island to the south of the main body of the country, and offers a tropical climate that’s reminiscent of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

If you’re considering a visit to Indonesia, then you should place Bali somewhere near the top of your list.The island welcomes world class waves throughout the season, and offers a number of famous beaches.Crucially, it’s also able to accommodate a considerable influx of tourists, which places it at a relative advantage to its neighbours.Padang Padang, Uluwatu and Keramas all offer specular surf at various points throughout the year.

North America

Malibu is a stretch of south-facing coast found just to the west of Los Angeles.It’s best enjoyed during the summer, and boasts a raft of enjoyable culture that places it apart from the smoggy sprawl of nearby Los Angeles.If you’re concerned about the influence of LA on this part of the world, then you needn’t be – though they’re right next to one another, Malibu is a rich person’s resort – with a medium house price of more than two and a half million dollars.

South America

The pacific coast of south America boasts an array of excellent surfing locations.Mancora, Peru boasts excellent surf, excellent nightlift, and year-round sunshine.It’s also among the largest left-point breaks in the world.Venture further up the coast and you’ll find Motanita, in Ecuador.The climate here is balmy all year round, but the largest waves occur through January to March.

Africa

Morocco offers plenty of sunshine and a raft of right-hand breaks in the Taghazout region, where you’ll find the country’s most famous surf spot, Anchor Point.Waves here can be up to fifteen feet high and around half a kilometre long.The Boilers is named after the boiler of a shipwreck which can be seen as the waves form, and offers something more of a challenge.

Europe

To find some of the best surf in Europe, you won’t need to travel too far from home.Cornwall offers a great deal to wave-seekers during summer, with Sennen Cove and Watergate Bay providing a classic and forgiving environment for beginner to intermediate surfers.If you’re looking for something a little more picturesque, then you should venture to the Basque town of San Sabastian, in Spain, or Mundaka, a quiet little fishing village near Bilbao, which offers a great experience for more practised surfers.