Whether it’s the punchy beachbreaks of Hossegor in their prime swell window or the tail end of Indo season, there are some excellent options for surfing in September. Here are some of my favorites.
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Hossegor
As the summer hordes depart, September is a wonderful time to go surfing in Hossegor. At this time of year, Atlantic swells roll in consistently and are often greeted by good winds and calm conditions. Summer heat lingers, and you can surf comfortably in boardies or a short arm through most of the month. Expect a good mix of bigger days if you want to charge La Grav, and smaller, more refined ones for banks up and down the coast. Hossegor is one of my favourite surf destinations and is almost impossible to beat in September.
Northern Spain
Drive over the border into Spain, and you reach a whole new world of wave-riding opportunity. Start in the surfing hub of Zarautz for some rip bowl beach breaks, or head to Mundaka if the swell is up (and you can battle the crowd). Westward through Spain, the coast becomes more remote, and the potential for scoring empty(ish) beach breaks grows significantly. The beaches around Bilbao can be a great jumping-off point to explore from.
West Portugal
If consistency and variety are what you’re looking for, September will have plenty of swell in Portugal. I mean, Portugal can be epic any time of year, because (depending on where you are in the country), there is always somewhere to surf, whether it’s tiny or gargantuan. September swells are typically not to the same degree as during winter, which makes it a much more manageable option if you’re not chasing thumping pits or towering Nazare peaks. Check out Peniche or Ericeira.
Bali
Indo still has pumping surf in September, with peak season swells typically lingering well into the month. Wherever you’re heading, September is a very reliable time of year to get waves in Indonesia. When I was there 2 years ago, I spent 2 months in Bali through September and October, and there were waves the whole time. The chart fluctuated between solid swells for the reefs, with smaller days in between for beachie action.
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Maldives
Coming into the tail end of the Maldives season, there is still plenty of swell around, so a late-season trip to the land of perfect reef passes is never a bad shout. While solid swell isn’t a guarantee, you can expect to be surfing a lot almost no matter what the swell is doing. If you’re on a budget, check out Thulusdhoo island, or for something more lavish, stay at Lohis or Pasta Point for some exclusive guest-only waves.
Peru
South swells are still rolling through in September, so heading to Peru for some leg-burning lefts is another safe bet. Places like Chicama and Lobitos are hubs of surfing in the country, and I’d be confident in getting waves at this time. On my trip to Peru in late August/beginning of September, I scored pumping Chicama–double over head lefts with some waves peeling for over a minute. While it might be crowded, the waves are generally long and rippy enough to spread things out, and there are more than enough waves to go around.
Cornwall
While it might be top of the list for wave riding, the UK in September can be a wicked time to score waves. As the summer madness winds down, many beaches get quieter, and leftover hurricane swells reach British shores. Cornwall, in the country’s Southwest, is in prime position to pick up any swell on offer. While it might not be Indo or the Maldives, you can expect fun, reliable beach break waves at this time of year. The water temps also linger in the mid-teens, so you can still surf in a 3\2mm.
Arugam Bay
If you’re looking to sample the point breaks of Arugam Bay, September can be a good time to do it. While swells might not be as consistently large as during the main swell season of July and August, you can score it a touch less crowded. There are several sand-bottomed point breaks in the area that are all user-friendly and accessible via a short tuk-tuk mission from town. I’d avoid the south coast of Sri Lanka at this time of year as, while there is usually swell, it’s often plagued by rain and onshores.
Summary
Any of these places are excellent picks for surfing in September, and I would recommend all of them. If you’re planning a trip and need help with the forecast or you don’t know where to start, book a call with me, and I can help make your trip happen.
