LifestyleTravelAs Surf Tourism Swells, These Destinations Redefine The ExperienceTraveling for surf is nothing new, but with its growing popularity, a new class of surf-centric travel experiences has emerged, with destinations across the Americas leading the way.ByCarley Rojas Ávila,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Travel, cuisine, and culture in Latin America the Caribbean.Follow AuthorSep 04, 2025, 08:04pm EDTCommentA surf retreat in Puntarenas, Costa Rica with Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort.Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort As the season of sand, swim and sun winds down in the United States, adventurous travelers begin to look elsewhere for their next warm-weather escape.
For an increasing number of travelers, that means planning a getaway with surfing as a central part of the itinerary. Though the most hardcore surfers have long dedicated time and money to searching out the best waves, surf tourism is a rapidly-growing industry, projected to grow from 68.3 billion in 2024 to over 95.9 billion by 2030.
Surf tourisms growing success, it seems, comes from how it fits squarely at the juncture of some of the most marked travel trends of the last several years, marrying adventure travel with themes like wellness that are increasingly motivating tourism among all age groups. The industrys growth with travelers of all ages and different levels of surf mastery is transforming surf destinations in the process.
A surge in new surf retreats and resorts has begun to sprout up in its wake, many located in the Americas offering easy accessibility to the North American travelers who account for over 27 of the industrys global market revenue. Where are these beach-bound travelers headed? Read on for some of the buzziest spots helping rewrite the surf tourism industry in ways that even a few years ago visitors wouldnt have been able to imagine.
*Reporting by Forbes.*
