Australia has once again affirmed its reputation as a premier surfing destination, claiming four of the world’s top five surfing locations in a recent global study.
To celebrate International Surfing Day on June 21, travel specialists at Travelbag conducted an extensive analysis to rank the world’s best surfing spots. The study evaluated multiple factors including surf ratings, water cleanliness, social media popularity, and global search volume to identify the ultimate wave destinations.
Australia emerged as the clear leader, placing more locations in the top ten than any other country. Queensland’s Burleigh Heads topped the list as the number one surf spot worldwide. With a five-star surf rating, a water cleanliness score of 71.48, and over 135,000 global annual searches, Burleigh Heads is renowned for its powerful right-hand barrels and consistent offshore winds. This World Surfing Reserve offers thrilling waves for experienced surfers while remaining accessible to beginners due to its shallower breaks.
The Gold Coast further demonstrated its surfing prowess with Snapper Rocks ranking fourth globally. Located at the southern tip of Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks is famous for its long, hollow waves and multiple barrel sections that attract professional surfers and thrill-seekers alike.
Victoria’s iconic Bells Beach secured the third spot. Noted for having Australia’s highest water cleanliness score at 72.22 and a five-star surf rating, Bells Beach is nestled among rugged cliffs along the Great Ocean Road. Its challenging waves demand strength and skill but reward surfers with an exhilarating experience.
On Australia’s west coast, Margaret River was ranked fifth. Matching Burleigh Heads in global search volume with approximately 135,000 annual searches and boasting a five-star surf rating, Margaret River is a prominent surf destination and the most popular Australian beach on Instagram, with nearly one million hashtags. Though its water cleanliness score of 62.5 is lower than the other Australian beaches, Margaret River is home to the annual Margaret River Pro, one of only two Australian events on the World Surf League Championship Tour.
The top ten global surfing spots identified in the study are:
1.Burleigh Heads, Australia
2.Malibu, USA
3.Bells Beach, Australia
4.Snapper Rocks, Australia
5.Margaret River, Australia
6.Pipeline, USA
7.Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
8.Tamarindo, Costa Rica
9.Tamarin Bay, Mauritius
10.Black Rocks, Mauritius
This latest ranking reinforces Australia’s position as a world-class surfing destination, attracting surfers of all levels from across the globe.
