12 Surf Hotels Where You Can Live Out Your “100-Foot-Wave” Fantasy

Seasoned surfers will tell you: When you’re setting the stage for a truly great vacation, where you stay is as important as the swells you’re chasing. Destinations like Bali in Indonesia and Nosara in Costa Rica don't just have waves worth traveling for; they’re also home to hotels and resorts that cater specifically to those who ride them.

Consider Noah Surf House in Santa Cruz, Portugal, where you can spend the day perfecting your technique with a surf lesson, then enjoy a dinner of fresh-caught seafood as the sun sets over the Atlantic, or the Alila Marea Beach Resort in Southern California, which offers direct access to Ponto Beach (and which lets you choose from a house quiver of Almond and Firewire boards). Whether you’re dedicated enough for dawn patrol or a beginner just trying to get your feet wet, these hotels are guaranteed to get you stoked. (Photo courtesy of The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa.)

Chase Travel is the first stop for your next adventure. At chasetravel.com, eligible Chase cardmembers can earn and redeem Ultimate Rewards points for hotels, flights, car rentals and more. Plus, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers who book a hotel stay through The Edit by Chase Travel will earn 3 points per dollar and receive special cardmember benefits including daily breakfast for two and a $100 property credit, along with early check-in, late checkout and a room upgrade, when available.

 

Alila Marea Beach Resort (Encinitas, California)
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There’s a huge surf community in Encinitas, and for good reason—the weather is warm, the waves are consistent and the town is just 30 minutes north of San Diego, making it an easy jump for anyone eager to ditch the city crowds. When you go, stay at Alila Marea, an elegant take on the surf hotel that practically blends into its perch on a coastal bluff. Most rooms have sea views, and amenities include a dedicated beach concierge who can set up picnics on the sand if you need to refuel between waves. There’s even a selection of surfboards to borrow, and storage if you BYOB (bring your own board).

 

Ko’a Kea Resort (Kauai, Hawaii)
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There’s no shortage of surf hotels on Kauai, but Ko’a Kea has the distinct advantage of being just steps from one of the island’s best breaks. The hotel is a great option for surfers who want to stay as close to the water as possible. The comfortable rooms have ocean views, there’s a sushi bar, and the on-site spa offers oceanside massages. Just in case you still haven’t gotten your fill for the day, there’s a sprawling lawn from which you can watch the waves crash at golden hour.

 

COMO Uma Canggu (Bali, Indonesia)
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The largest and most luxurious hotel in the otherwise sleepy surf community of Canguu, this COMO outpost offers a Bali experience that’s tough to beat. The rooms are light and airy, a sleek, spare counterpart to the delightfully bare-faced beaches; the restaurant has panoramic ocean views, poolside seating and barrel-aged cocktails; and the spa offers a range of treatments (including the “Surfer’s Rejuvenation” massage, designed to ease neck and shoulder tension, improve circulation and flexibility and aid post-surf session recovery) alongside complimentary fitness classes. Add to this the excellent waves—and the unpretentious cafés and bars—that are right outside your door, and this becomes a no-brainer.  

 

Paséa Hotel & Spa (Huntington Beach, California)
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Located across the street from one of California’s most iconic beaches, Paséa has perfected the surf experience. The hotel has beach butlers, who will carry your board to the beach and set up bonfires with picnics for the ideal end to the day, and the on-site Aarna Spa is one of the area’s best, offering Balinese-inspired skin treatments and massages that are great for surf-related aches and pains. Paséa is also pet friendly, should your four-legged friend want to get in on the surf vacation fun.

 

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa (Cape Town, South Africa)
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The 12 Apostles is technically an urban hotel, but because it’s surrounded by the expansive Oudekraal nature reserve, it feels much more remote than your average city stay. There’s nothing but scrubby green mountains and sparkling ocean as far as the eye can see, especially from the rooftop restaurant (a local favorite; don’t miss it for sunset) and the light-drenched guestrooms, all of which have sea views. The hotel beach is rocky, but a free shuttle to sandy Camps Bay Beach (a renowned surf spot 10 minutes away) runs throughout the day.

 

Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa (Denarau Island, Fiji)
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There are few islands that could make a “Castaway”-style scenario seem enticing, and Denarau is one of them. That’s thanks in part to this full-service resort, which has an adults-only infinity pool overlooking the beach and a spa offering treatments enhanced with aromatic local botanicals. There are also four restaurants serving everything from buffet breakfasts and charcoal-grilled meats to Mediterranean seafood and Vietnamese cuisine, plus a Parisian-style cafe, beach bar and nightclub. But with concierges who are experts in where to find the best breaks and which local guides can get you there, we wouldn’t blame you for spending most of your time catching waves.

 

Atlantic Byron Bay (Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia)

Summer in the U.S. might mean winter down under—but temperatures in the high 60s and prime surf conditions mean you can still enjoy one of Australia's most picturesque beach towns, and you should do so from the comfort of this relaxed hotel. In addition to apartment-style accommodations, the property has communal kitchens and outdoor dining spaces, plus a massive pool and outdoor showers where you can rinse off after a day on the water. The hotel even has McTavish longboards, Catch Surf foamies and cruiser bikes you can borrow. (Though you may not need the wheels at all, since the hotel sits right in the middle of town, just a quick hop from the beach.)

 

Paradero (Todos Santos, Mexico)

Some of Mexico’s most consistent swells are found in Baja California Sur, the area surrounding this experience-focused, all-suite resort--so there’s little doubt you’re hitting the waves. But make time to sample its other activities, too, like guided hikes and cooking classes, many of which are covered in your room rate. Speaking of rooms, you’ll also want to make time to enjoy yours: Each of the 41 suites at the Brutalist-style property has been designed to highlight the rugged desert landscape, and some even have private terraces and outdoor soaking tubs.  

 

Rancho Santana (Tolo, Nicaragua)

Dropped on the edge of Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast, this sprawling resort sits on 2,700 acres of quiet jungle coastline. It may feel remote, but there’s plenty within striking distance to explore, including hiking trails and beaches. The surfing is also fantastic thanks to a unique effect created by Lake Managua farther north: From the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, wind blows across the lake to the country’s Pacific side, all but ensuring year-round waves.  

 

Sendero (Nosara, Costa Rica)

The name “Sendero” is Spanish for “short path,” a nod to the two-minute walk separating this relatively new boutique hotel from the protected, four-mile-long Playa Guiones. If you’re looking for a place to live out your Costa Rican surf vacation dreams, this is it—the hotel has boards for rent, an in-house surf school and slate of on-site wellness offerings, including yoga and breathwork classes. Rooms are airy and bohemian, with outdoor showers that overlook an adjacent nature preserve. 

 

Noah Surf House (Santa Cruz, Portugal)

With a killer location right near the waves, a beachfront restaurant where you can watch the sunset and a rooftop hot tub for well-deserved soaks, Noah Surf House is the quintessential surf hotel. The 21 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, so you can check on the conditions from the comfort of your bed, and the in-house surf school benefits from knowledgeable instructors who have experience in both teaching and competition. Regardless of your level, you’ll certainly learn a thing or two here.   

 

Anantara Peace Haven Resort (Tangalle, Sri Lanka)

This Sri Lankan resort is a true hideaway, set on a secluded stretch of beach that always seems to have waves crashing ashore. Said waves can be a bit intimidating for novice surfers, but the hotel is happy to shuttle you to a nearby beach if you’re looking for something more mellow. Need a break entirely? The hotel is ideally situated for day trips into Yala National Park to spot leopards. You’ll also want to save time for the traditional Ceylonese high tea.

 

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