5. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia (pictured above)
If there was ever an ideal surfing trip to take with your buddies, this is it. The Mentawai Islands provides a plethora of conditions for surfers of all skill levels in order to guarantee fun. Plus, there is no shortage of barrels for tube riders.
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4. Mavericks, California, United States
This legendary location is just north of Half Moon Bay and is considered the best winter destination for big wave riders. Mavericks is not for the faint of heart. It will chew you up and spit you out. Only the gutsiest of big wave surfers will accept the challenge of facing these giant âEnd of Timesâ waves that can measure up to 25 feet. To be honest with you, I donât even know why I would suggest anyone ever attempt to ride Mavericks. Itâs basically sending someone off to die, unless youâre among the elite. Pro surfer, Mark Foo, died here in 1994 while wiping out on an 18-foot wave. Big wave rider, Sion Milosky, died in 2011 while surfing Mavericks. Witnesses estimated Milosky wiped out on a wave that measured â30-foot Hawaiian,â which is 60 feet by normal standards.
Successfully surfing Mavericks is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. Grommets, donât bother unless you have the cojones.
This spot has some of the best surfing in all of Australia. Bells Beach is a close, CLOSE second. Surfers may experience the ride of their lives here, which has a reputation of producing sick tubes and solid walls. Be prepared to add this spot to your bucket list if youâre ready to leave the word of a âkookâ and experience a surferâs paradise. Alright, mate?
This legendary break is host of the Billabong Pro ASP World Tour. Supertubes is notorious for amazing right-hand tubes and long point breaks. Jeffreyâs Bay was once just a small fishing village with a reputation as a âhippie hangout.â However, it has become a popular tourist destination due to its reputation as one of the best surf spots in the world. Pro surfers invade Jefrreyâs for rides that near 300 meters long. Actually, there isnât really a time where this spot isnât crowded by surfers. Theyâre not alone either. Jeffreyâs Bay is most certainly shark territory.
Pipeline is the Super Bowl of surfing. Its powerful waves and shallow reef make this famous surf spot very enticing for surfers who love to tube ride. However, its considered the deadliest wave due to more deaths than at any other spot in the world â the average wave is even nine feet. Among casualties include Tahitian pro surfer Malik Joyeux; remember that when youâre listening to your Jack Johnson CD while watching the movies Point Break and Blue Crush in order to get the âsurfing bug.â This spot is not for beginners. Itâs for the best of the best. Itâs the birthplace of surfing and the mecca for true surfers.
Photo Credit: Getty
