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Where Should You Go Surfing Without A Car?
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By Matt
- Updated | September 08, 2026
You don’t need a car to have a great surf trip.
Some surf destinations make it easy. Stay near the beach, walk to the waves, grab a bike, or jump on a local bus when you want to explore. Others are much harder without your own wheels.
This guide focuses on the places where travelling without a car actually works.
From the surf towns of Portugal and Morocco to the tropical beaches of Sri Lanka and Indonesia, these are some of the best surf destinations for a trip without a car.
Jump Straight To A Destination
Can You Really Surf Without A Car?
Absolutely.
The trick is choosing the right destination, and more importantly, the right town.
Stay somewhere close to the beach and you might have everything you need within walking distance. Surf schools, board rentals, cafés, restaurants and accommodation can all be nearby.
Want to explore further? That’s where buses, trains, bikes, taxis and surf camp transfers come in.
Of course, not every surf spot is easy to reach. Remote beaches can still require a taxi or organised transfer. Some destinations are much easier if you stay in one main surf town.
But with a little planning, you can leave the rental car behind.
In This Guide
The Best Places To Start
There are thousands of surf spots around the world.
You don’t need to visit all of them.
The best place for a surf trip without a car is usually a well-connected surf town. Somewhere you can stay close to the waves, find a surf school or camp, and reach other breaks without having to drive every day.
Here are some of the best places to start.
Portugal
Portugal is one of the easiest countries in Europe for a surf trip without a car.
Ericeira is the standout. Its compact town centre is surrounded by surf beaches, with plenty of surf schools, camps, restaurants and accommodation nearby.
Peniche is another excellent base. The peninsula is surrounded by beaches and famous surf breaks, while surf camps make it easy to get around without organising everything yourself.
You can also look at Lagos and Arrifana if you want to combine surfing with other parts of Portugal.
Best for: Surf camps, beginners, variety and easy travel.
Morocco
Morocco is one of the best places to combine surfing with a warm and affordable winter escape.
The main surf area around Taghazout and Tamraght has wave after wave along the coast. Stay in one of the villages and use local taxis, bikes or surf camp transfers to reach different breaks.
Taghazout puts you right in the middle of the surf scene. Tamraght is quieter, while still giving you easy access to many of the area’s best waves.
There are also plenty of surf camps, making Morocco particularly easy for solo travellers.
Best for: Surf camps, warm water, winter surf and affordable trips.
Spain & The Canary Islands
Spain has a huge coastline and plenty of surf towns to choose from.
On the mainland, you’ll find surf along the north coast, Atlantic coast and down into Andalusia.
Gijón, Zarautz, El Palmar and Cádiz are just a few of the places worth looking at. There’s plenty more too, with different waves, beaches and surf towns depending on where you go.
Then there are the Canary Islands.
Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife offer warm water and surf throughout much of the year.
Towns such as Corralejo and Caleta de Famara are popular bases, with beaches, surf schools, accommodation and plenty of places to eat close by.
Best for: Warm weather, year-round surfing, surf camps and a huge choice of surf towns.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the easiest tropical destinations for a surf trip without a car.
Weligama is a great place to start, especially for beginners. Surf schools, cafés, accommodation and surf camps are all close to the bay.
Hiriketiya is smaller and more relaxed, while Arugam Bay is the place to go for long right-hand point breaks.
Tuk-tuks, buses and trains make getting around relatively simple.
Best for: Beginners, warm water, surf camps and affordable trips.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is made for a surf trip.
Tamarindo is one of the easiest places to base yourself without a car. The beach, surf schools, restaurants and accommodation are all close to town.
For a quieter trip, look towards Santa Teresa. Surf camps are also a big part of the scene.
Best for: Warm water, surf camps and tropical beaches.
More Surf Destinations
There are plenty more places to explore. Indonesia is famous for warm water and world-class waves, while Mexico offers everything from compact surf towns to powerful Pacific breaks.
France has some of Europe’s most famous beach breaks, while El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador are great options for surfers looking for something different.
Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom offer very different experiences for surfers looking to explore further.
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Find The Right Surf Trip For You
The best surf destination depends on the kind of trip you want.
If you’re learning to surf, Portugal, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Costa Rica are great places to start. Plenty of beginner-friendly waves. Lots of surf schools and camps.
Want warm water? Look towards Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Mexico and Indonesia.
Chasing winter surf? Portugal, Morocco and Spain are strong choices.
Looking for bigger waves and more challenging surf? Try Indonesia, France, Australia, Morocco or the United States.
And if travelling without a car is your main priority, Portugal, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Spain and Costa Rica are some of the easiest places to start.
Choose the right country. Then choose the right surf town. That’s where the trip really comes together.
Want A Surf Camp Instead?
You don’t have to organise every part of your surf trip yourself.
A surf camp can make travelling without a car much easier. Accommodation, surf lessons and transport to different beaches are often included. You can focus on surfing instead of figuring out how to get from one break to the next.
If you’re a beginner, start with the 8 Best Surf Camps In Portugal For Beginners. Portugal is one of the easiest places to combine surf lessons, accommodation and car-free travel.
Heading to Morocco? Check out the 7 Amazing Morocco Surf Holiday Camps for an easy way to organise your trip.
For something warmer, the 4 Best All Inclusive Sri Lanka Surf Camps are worth a look. And if you want to mix surfing with yoga, explore the 5 Best Canary Islands Surf and Yoga Retreats.
Costa Rica is another great option for beginners, with the 7 Best Costa Rica Surf Camps For Beginners offering an easy way to get started.
Less organising. More surfing.
Ready To Go?
A great surf trip without a car starts with choosing the right base.
Stay close to the waves. Pick a surf town rather than a remote beach. Look for a surf camp if you want lessons and transport included.
Then keep it simple.
Walk to the beach. Grab your board. Surf.
When you want to explore further, use local buses, trains, bikes, taxis or organised surf transfers.
You don’t need a rental car.
You just need the right place to surf.
Written by Matt
Surfer for nearly 20 years and an environmental scientist for nine, Matt grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Australia and now calls Melbourne home. He’s all about finding surf towns you can reach without a car and writes simple surf guides to help you do the same.