What use is a 7500-km long coastline if you can’t go surfing?
Photograph Courtesy: Miguel Navaza/ Creative Commons
1. Mulki, Karnataka
Home to India’s first surf school, Mantra Surf Club, Mulki, about 30 km from Mangalore, is one of India’s least crowded and relatively unknown surf spots. With waves that suit the needs of beginners, there is no better place to learn the sport than at Mulki. Mantra that was started in 2004 by two American surfing experts, has India’s largest collection of surfboards making it easy to find one that will suit your size and skill level.
Best time to surf: October – May
2. Gokarna, Karnataka
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The main beach at Gokarna is yet another ideal place to learn how to surf in India. When the surfing season is off, the sea has small waves making it a good spot to take your first steps on the surf board. The Cocopelli Surf School has a basic guest house that is situated just five minutes away from the beach and offers coaching from beginner to advanced levels.
Best time to surf: October – May
3. Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu
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Waves in Pondicherry go as high as 12 ft making it one of the most popular surfing destinations in India. While Serenity beach sees most of the surfing action, other beaches in the area are also quite good for water sports. The Kallialay Surf School teaches those interested not only the art of surfing but also how to shape their own boards. Those interested in pursuing surfing as just a hobby, can enroll for single-day beginners’ sessions. The school also offers intensive courses that go as long as 15 days.
Best time to surf: June – January
4. Kovalam, Tamil Nadu
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About 40 km from Chennai, the beach town of Kovalam (or Covelong, not to be confused with the beach by the same name in Kerala) is a small fishing village in Tamil Nadu. With several opportunities for surfing, the village has gained popularity with tourists from all over the world. A social surfing movement that started at Covelong Point Social Surf School enables some of the best surfers in the country to hone their skills and teach them to those interested. The waves in Kovalam are the most reliable surf waves in the country.
Best time to surf: September, when the tiny village transforms into a hub for hipsters with the annual Classic Surf and Music Festival.
5. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
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Drive 19 km south of Covelong and you will reach Mahabalipuram that is best known for the shore temple. Over the years though the small town of Tamil Nadu is turning into a major surfing hub. The Mumu surf school is the most well-known surf school that offers training for beginners as well as professionals.
Best time to surf: June – September
6. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
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With almost 20 point breaks on the Visakhapatnam coast, this little beach town in Andhra Pradesh is slowly gaining popularity among Surfers. While most of the surf spots are only known to the locals, Rushikonda and Ramakrishna beaches are among the most popular surf spots in the country. The Lonely Surfers Surf School was started in the year 2009 and has regular surfing and yachting coaching.
Best time to surf: June – September
7. Kovalam, Kerala
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Breaking both left and right, the waves at Kovalam beach in Kerala provide surfers with amazing opportunities for surfing. Right around Lighthouse Point, the waves form the best, making surfing very easy. Kovalam Surf Club that was founded in 2005, part of an NGO called Sebastian Indian Social Project, aims at keeping the local children in school by getting them involved in activities like surfing.
Best time to surf: May - September
8. Little Andaman, Andaman Islands
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While this beach might not be suitable for beginners, the more experienced surfers will not get a better surfing experience in any other place in India. The fact that most of the surf beaches can only be reached by boat only adds to the charm of the experience. Surfing Little Andaman at Hut Bay rents out surf boards, conducts lessons and can give you more information than you will ever need about surfing.
Best time to surf: March – May
So before it’s time to take on the big waves, why not stop by one of the gentler beaches and start your surf lessons?
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