Surf’s up: Top Indian destinations to get your fill of the sport

Here’s a bit of general knowledge for the day. India’s coastline spans an expansive 7,000 kilometers. For all you water babies, that means there’s a host of adventure waiting on the waves. And of the many water activities, surfing has quickly grown in popularity over the last few years as people flock to the many surfing schools on the west and east coast. 
 
We’ve made things simpler for you and narrowed it down to fabulous five.

Varkala, Kerala 

Whether you’re taking your first steps as a beginner or a surfing pro, a trip to Varkala—one of the most popular beaches in Kerala—is an absolute must. The best part about the place is how surf-friendly it is owing to the height of the waves as well as the sandy sea bed. Taking the weather into consideration, the best time to make a trip here is between early October and mid-May. If you’re looking for a place to learn, there’s no place better than Soul and Surf. And if you’re looking for some inner strength before you surf, you’ll be happy to know that they offer yoga lessons as well.

Kovalam Beach, Kerala 

Here’s another popular Kerala hot-spot for surfing. Compared to Varkala, the waves and rocky bed here are a bit riskier for beginners, but the place makes up for it with its palm trees and sunny silhouettes. Founded in 2005, the Kovalam Surf Club is inarguably one of the best places in the country to learn surfing. With the aim to make surfing more popular, they, under the NGO Sebastian Indian Social Project, have taken the local children under their wing by introducing them to the adventure activity. December to February is the best time to visit but if you end up there in October, there's a surfing competition that you can participate in. 

Mulki, Karnataka 

Looking for a master class on the waves? Take a trip to India’s first surf school—Mantra Surf Club (founded in 2004 by two American surfing enthusiasts from northern Florida). Located at a short 30-min drive from Mangalore, the small village is a haven for those wishing to take their first steps into the world of surfing. Not only is the white and sandy beach absolutely secluded, but the waves, with a maximum height of three feet, are perfect for first-timers. Don’t worry about getting a board that’s the right size for you as the club stakes claim to having the largest inventory of surfboards. 

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 

There is a lot more to Mahabalipuram than temples and monuments, and surfing spots is one of them. You’ll find a host of popular surf spots near the Shore Temple, and one of the best schools is the Mumu Surf School, headed by Mumu, who is a qualified ISA instructor with a surf rescue license, a PADI divemaster, and a rescue scuba diver. That said, timing is everything if you’re looking to surf in Mahabalipuram, so plan your trip wisely. The best time to visit here is in June or July, as the waves are neither flat (October-November) or high (August-September).

Kovalam Village, Tamil Nadu 

This fishing-turned-surfing village, also known as Covelong, located about an hour from Chennai, is home to an impressive social surfing movement. One of the main reasons why surfers flock to this destination is because of how reliable and safe the waves are. Covelong Point Social Surf School, started by local fisherman Murthy Megavan, to help locals, is the place to be if you’re looking to learn. It’s best to turn up in August when the annual Covelong Point Surf, music and yoga festival is taking place. And if you are looking to up your surfing game, Surf Turf and the Bay of Life are the first accredited surf schools in Chennai.
So, which one is it going to be? 

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