The best surf spots on Canada's West Coast

Locals and professional surfers alike have known for decades that Canada offers some of the world's best surf.

Yes, British Columbia features barrels and swells right at the base of misty rainforests or along kilometers of uncrowded sandy beaches; these breaks are worth planning your next destination surf trip. But don't stop there! There are epic surf spots in other Canadian provinces too.

woman walking on a beach to reach the water with her surf board

Long Beach, Tofino, Vancouver Island

Technically a series of beaches, Long Beach features a right-hand point break that works best with southeast winds from May to October. Since Long Beach is a crescent-shaped curve on the west side of the island, it is slightly more protected from northeast winds in the summer, but conditions can be variable in the winter. The area around Long Beach is home to numerous surf shops and surf schools, making it a popular destination for those new to surfing. However, the two central rock features, Incinerator Rock and Lovekin Rock, can attract rip-tides. For this reason, beginners at Long Beach are recommended to start their surf session with a lesson at one of the nearby schools in order to become familiar with these features and the area's currents. Starting with a school also offers the opportunity to meet locals, find secret surf areas, and learn where the best après-surf spots are.

- Difficulty: Beginner to Expert Surfers
- Driving time: 5 hr 15 min from Vancouver (including a ferry); 4 hr 15 min from Victoria (on Vancouver Island)

woman with here surf board under the arm walking on a beach

Chesterman Beach, Tofino, Vancouver Island

Technically split into North and South Chesterman, the north beach is more protected than the popular (and often crowded) Cox Bay, making it a better option for those still getting used to their wetsuits and duck dives. Due to this level of protection, the summer months can be flat, but chilly fall and winter sessions are rewarded by more consistent swells. Chesterman's après-surf campfires and laid-back vibes also help to get rid of the post-session chill. In addition to quieter waves compared to other areas in Tofino, Chesterman also tends to feature smaller crowds, making it a perfect spot to settle in and learn the ropes.

- Difficulty: Beginner to Expert Surfers
- Driving time: 5 hr 15 min from Vancouver (including a ferry); 4 hr 15 min from Victoria (on Vancouver Island)

Cox Bay, Tofino, Vancouver Island

Tofino may be Canada's surf capital; it is rightly famous among Canadians and surfers worldwide for its spectacular surf beaches, which span kilometers of rainforested coastline: think mist, cedars, snow-capped mountains, and bald eagles. Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino has been a popular surf destination since the 1970s for surf tourists and expert competitors alike. The area features multiple popular surf beaches, meaning there's something for everyone!

Cox Bay is arguably the most popular surf spot in Tofino, and therefore Canada. It features three different breaks ("The Corner," "The Middle," and "Lando's"). The Middle offers the most opportunity for surfing, as it features breaks in almost any tide and season. Lando's is more popular for northwest waves, and The Corner can offer bigger southern swells; however, riptides in The Corner make this area more appropriate for expert surfers. Cox Bay is Tofino's most popular, and busiest, surf spot, so locals recommend fall and winter surfing to avoid crowds.

- Difficulty: Beginner to Expert Surfers
- Driving time: 5 hr 15 min from Vancouver (including a ferry); 4 hr 15 min from Victoria (on Vancouver Island)

Sombrio Beach, Vancouver Island

A closely-guarded local secret, Sombrio Beach is located within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, making this one of Vancouver Island's most remote surf spots. There is a small parking lot (get there early!) leading to a short downhill hike, passing elevated camping platforms and waterfalls before arriving at the rocky beach. The swells are less protected than in Tofino, so the conditions can be variable, and there is an impressive rock feature right in the middle of the surf path. But when conditions (tide, waves, and wind) line up, you have the chance to surf world-class swells over expansive kelp beds, facing an unbroken temperate rainforest. The uncrowded beach offers plenty of space for an impromptu BBQ at one of the many firepits available. You may even meet some seals at the camping spot next to you. All of this makes Sombrio Beach an unforgettable bucket-list surf spot for the more experienced surfer.

- Difficulty: Intermediate to Expert Surfers
- Driving time: 4 hr 45 min from Vancouver (including a ferry); 1 hr 40 min from Victoria (on Vancouver Island)

Kananaskis River, Alberta

Of course, the beaches of Tofino, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick are great summer destinations, especially if you have the time and gear to enjoy a camping spot and a post-surf firepit. But not only is Kananaskis River in Alberta a great bucket-list destination ("There's surf in Alberta?" Yes, world-class surf!), it also offers also a great vibe for locals and visitors alike and is an easy and inexpensive way to escape the inland heat.

Kananaskis River offers a variety of surf spots for a variety of skill levels. 10th St. (by the Louise Bridge) has a deep eddy and water channel as well as a consistent break, making it a well-known local surf destination for beginners to test their skills. It also has a laid-back, friendly vibe and is known for its warm welcome.

For a mixed group of beginner, intermediate, and advanced surfers, get a ride out to Canoe Meadows Campground in Bow Valley Provincial Park, a 4,000-acre ecological reserve. There you'll find "The Green Tongue," a reliably gentle wave to practice your skills. Once you're feeling more confident, head 10 minutes upstream to the "Santa Clause," a faster, steeper wave, perfect for upping the ante.

Finally, "the Mountain Wave" on the river in Bow Valley is a must-visit destination for advanced and expert surfers. Home to the River Surf Championship in 2019, the Mountain Wave is a fast-flowing, shallow river break specifically designed for river surfers by the Alberta River Surfing Association. When surfing the Mountain Wave, even expert surfers are suggested to go with a guide, as cell phone reception is variable and the remote location means medical services may take some time to arrive. The riverbank was recently updated to improve surf access as well as spectator access along the rock beach, so if you're in the area, why not head upstream to watch the local skills on display!

- Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced Surfers
- Driving time: 10th St. is in downtown Calgary; Canoe Meadows is 1 hr 20 min driving from Calgary

Sturgeon Falls, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba

A closely-guarded local secret, Sombrio Beach is located within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, making this one of Vancouver Island's most remote surf spots. There is a small parking lot (get there early!) leading to a short downhill hike, passing elevated camping platforms and waterfalls before arriving at the rocky beach. The swells are less protected than in Tofino, so the conditions can be variable, and there is an impressive rock feature right in the middle of the surf path. But when conditions (tide, waves, and wind) line up, you have the chance to surf world-class swells over expansive kelp beds, facing an unbroken temperate rainforest. The uncrowded beach offers plenty of space for an impromptu BBQ at one of the many firepits available. You may even meet some seals at the camping spot next to you. All of this makes Sombrio Beach an unforgettable bucket-list surf spot for the more experienced surfer.

- Difficulty: Intermediate to Expert Surfers
- Driving time: 4 hr 45 min from Vancouver (including a ferry); 1 hr 40 min from Victoria (on Vancouver Island)

North Beach, Naikoon Provincial Park, Haida Gwaii

The sheer difficulty in getting to Haida Gwaii from elsewhere in Canada may seem intimidating, but the courageous traveller is rewarded by spectacular scenery, quiet sessions and pure-white sand beaches. The best time to visit is October to March (The Expression Session Surf Festival is usually held in November), meaning this is definitely cold-water surfing; visitors should make sure to bring or rent a thick wetsuit (ideally 4 -7 mm) with a hood, gloves, and boots, and to take their time acclimatizing before a lengthy session.

- Difficulty: Beginner to Expert Surfers
- Driving time: Haida Gwaii is accessible only by plane or ferry. It's a 2-hour flight from Vancouver or an 8-hour ferry from Prince Rupert (which is a 23-hr drive/ferry from Vancouver).

Where do surfers surf?

The vast majority of Canada's famous surf spots became what they are today simply because a small group of surfers found a good break. They kept surfing it, often despite the cold waters, the unknown riptides or obstacles, or the lack of resources like hot showers or local shops. They soon told their friends (who told their friends...), and just like that, surf festivals and championships start popping up and the break gets busy.

This list provides some of Canada's best surf spots, but if you want to discover the next one before the crowds, simply chat with the locals. Be a friendly face at the beach, help to keep the beach clean, practice good surf etiquette, and become a part of the scene. Surfers are famously protective of their favourite surf spots, but surfing is also a terrific community of like-minded individuals keen to find clean breaks and big barrels. So hop in the water, hang around, share your firepit, and soon you'll have your own local break to keep secret!

How do I find the best surf spot for me?

Canada features many surf beaches offering a variety of attractions and features. Depending on if you want to find some nearby waves, go for a weekend adventure, or fly/ferry/boat to a bucket-list destination, you can quickly find a surf spot appropriate for your skill level by doing a little bit of research in advance.

Maybe you're looking for an uncrowded surf spot? Or maybe you want the buzz of people and a city to explore after your session? Canada's surfing destinations offer something for everyone.

Once you have an idea of where you want to go for your next surf adventure, you can also contact the many surf shops and surf schools available. They offer lessons and local advice to go with rental boards, wetsuits, and a new pair of board shorts.

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