Surfing
Ready to catch a few waves in Texas? Don't want to miss these surf spots.
If you live in Texas and are looking for your next favorite spot to catch a wave, you'll be surprised to know that the Lone Star State is home to several awesome surf spots with swells that range from small to large. From Boca Chica to South Padre, this list is sure to have an option you'll love where you can catch air and maybe meet a few fellow surfers along the way.
Texas is known to gather surfers, which makes it perfect for the anti-surfing Red Bull Foam Wreckers event that took place in Galveston. Surfers can just have fun and let loose without the pressure of competition. Surfing in Texas lets surfers embrace a carefree culture while also having advanced waves for competition practice, so let’s chase the best Texas waves below.
01
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach, referred to as simply Surfside by the locals, is located in Brazoria County, Texas, and is a local favorite spot in terms of surfing. Surfside is a great surf spot because it offers a variety of waves including big swells that get even bigger when a storm is on the horizon. You'll find the best surf a half a mile or so north of the jetty and the best waves when the wind is blowing east or northeast. Be sure to check out Strictly Hardcore Surf Specialties for all of your surfing needs while at Surfside.
Best for: Beginners to experts
02
Galveston Shipping Channel
If you've ever seen the movie "Step Into Liquid" by Dana Down, you may remember the scene where a few surfers are riding impressively long waves in the Galveston Shipping Channel thanks to the wake created by supertankers. Believe it or not, this is something you can actually do in Texas. Galveston has tanker ships constantly coming and going, and many pro surfers love to ride the trail of waves left behind. The waves you'll catch in the Galveston Shipping Channel just may be the best ones in Texas.
Best for: Experienced surfers
03
Matagorda
Considered to be a true "locals only" surf spot, Matagorda is a great place to catch strong waves thanks to the deep ocean floor that rapidly ascends to sandbars. Located between Galveston and Port Aransas, Matagorda has mostly rivermouth waves with both right and left swell directions. The normal wave length here is 50 to 150 meters, and the best tide position for surfing is mid- to high-rise.
Best for: Experienced surfers
04
Corpus Christi
There are a bunch of surf spots to choose from in and around Corpus Christi, including the Fish Pass Jetties. These jetties protect from current in nearly any swell direction and offer fast takeoffs and excellent wave shape. All tides produce decent swells here, and the length of the waves on a good day is anywhere from 150 to 300 meters. Stop by Wind & Wave Watersports for the latest in surfboards and the best beachwear for surfing in Texas.
Best for: Beginners to experts
05
Boca Chica
Boca Chica offers super long lefts with excellent glassiness. The best swells at this location come with the north winds, and barreling waves are pretty common. Breakwater and jetty waves are the most frequently seen surfs, and the waves are powerful and long (between 150 and 300 meters). The crowd is pretty mellow and the beach is rarely packed. There are some serious rips and undertow here, as well as the occasional shark, so keep your eyes peeled while catching a wave at Boca Chica.
Best for: Experienced surfers
06
Jamaica Beach
Jamaica Beach is a great location to surf in Texas on some ripping waves that may even turn into getting tubed now and again. Not too far from Galveston, Jamaica Beach offers a sandy bottom with beach-break waves and swells from right and left. All tides provide excellent surf conditions and the overall wave here is hollow, fast, and fun.
Best for: Experienced surfers
07
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is one of the most-loved spots by Texan surfers and offers unique waves for this region of the country. Thanks to the continental shelf that drops quickly and steeply, you can enjoy beach-break waves that are both long and short and that have a swell direction of both left and right. Check out Island Native Surf Shop, which was acquired by Rip Curl, for a swell report and all of your surf necessities while on South Padre Island.
Best for: Beginners to experts
08
Quintana
Quintana is a Texas surf hotspot when the swell gets to be too big over on the south side of Surfside. Quintana will give you both left and right waves that are as speedy as they are fun. The best wind directions for catching waves here are northwest, west, and southwest, while all tides will produce great waves.
Best for: Beginners to experts
09
Mansfield Jetty
If you're looking for a truly remote surf spot, grab your four-wheeler and a tent and head out to Mansfield Jetty. Here you can enjoy a most-likely empty beach with long waves that'll come from the right and left. Wave frequency is pretty consistent, and the primary wave type at Mansfield Jetty is beach-break. Beware of rocks and rips, as well as the occasional shark.
Best for: Experienced surfers
10
Bob Hall Pier
If you cross the JFK Causeway from Corpus Christi, you'll run into Bob Hall Pier, officially part of Padre Balli Park. This surf spot offers much faster and more hollow waves than other areas and is a great place to use your shortboard. Enjoy left and right waves that are primarily
Best for: Beginners to experts
11
Waco Surf Pool
For beginners looking to start surfing in a controlled area before hitting the beaches, Waco Surf Pool is the place to go. This inland surf park offers customizable waves range from gentle beginner waves to powerful barrels, all in a controlled environment. It’s a great spot for practicing beginners and leveling-up experts alike.
Waco Surf Pool just might have the most consistent surfing waves in Texas, with between 120 and 160 30-60 yards-tall waves each hour. The waves appear in sets of three 70 seconds apart, keeping surfers satisfied but not overloaded.
Best for: Beginners to experts
12
Horace Caldwell Pier
Located in Port Aransas, Horace Caldwell Pier is a popular surf spot known for its reliable fast beach-break waves. Surf conditions are best during the winter months when the winds are from the northwest and the swells from the southeast or east. That’ll give surfers consistent medium tides in Texas.
Best for: Beginners to experts
13
North Jetty
With one- to three-foot waves, North Jetty is a break that offers year-round surfing conditions and smaller crowds than other beaches. The swells and winds get blocked from the Gulf swell with smaller winds, handling swells from any direction. This surfing spot in Texas offers excellent conditions with the water temperature ranging from 60 degrees to 80 degrees. The waves are clean with barreling shapes and intense speeds.
Best for: Experienced surfers
14
Crystal Beach
Located in the Bolivar Peninsula, Crystal Beach offers a more laid-back experience compared to some of the other beaches on this list. This beach is shallow, causing the waves to be gentle and perfect for those first-time surfers. The best season to surf here is late summer to fall, followed by the late winter to mid-spring. The crowds are typically mellow, so this beach is the spot to learn how to surf without having a ton of people watching.
Best for: Beginners to intermediate
Discover Texas’ coastal and inland wave adventures
Surfing in Texas presents a unique blend of coastal and inland experiences, offering more than just your typical beach breaks. Whether you're a new surfer ready to try your hand at some bigger waves or you're a seasoned pro looking for your next favorite Texas surf spot, this list is sure to have something for everyone.
