Surfi ng has changed so much since the days in the 60’s and 70’s when surfers were regarded as “beach bums”, drop outs from society who didn’t have jobs and looked kinda scruffy. Back then going for a surf trip meant sleeping on the beach - and if you were really plush then you sleep in a tent. How things have developed since then. Those beach bums grew up, good a job and now surfi ng is a multi billion dollar industry and 100,000’s of surfers are hitting the beach for a surf every day.

We’ve assembled the 10 best surf beach resorts in the world where you can enjoy a core surf vacation and beach holiday in total luxury and comfort. You can enjoy an all inclusive surfi ng resort experience giving you great waves and great service! Here are the top 10 surf beach resorts in the world.

1. Kandui Resort, Mentawai Islands - Hidden deep in the Mentawai Islands, Kandui is top of the list for its fabulous food, stunning beaches, beautiful accommodation, and abundance of world class waves at its disposal. You will be thankful to stay in air con “uma’s” as you stay right on the equator. Kandui have a number of rates, for groups and individuals, staying on an all inclusive basis. The surf resort is remote and far off the beaten track, it has a fun vibe with a maximum of 20 surfers staying at any one time. Depending on the swell, wind and tides Kandui will transport you out by speedboat to optimal surf. Surfers can expect to surf world class surf spots like Bankvaults, Beng Beng, Burgerworld, E-Bay, Hideaways, Lance’s Left, Lance’s Right, Macaroni’s, Rifl es, Thunder plus many others!

2. Tavarua Island Resort, Fiji - Only 30 minutes on a boat from Viti Levu, Fiji and you reach the luxury surf resort Tavarua where you will be exclusively surfing Cloudbreak - only guests on the island are allowed to surf Cloudbreak. Set on 29 acres of tropical island surrounded by reefs that offer world class waves Tavarua is an all inclusive surfing resort. Travel to Tavarua in the winter months of May to September to have the best chance of scoring epic waves. And you’ll not be slumming it as the resort has well decorated beachfront bures with their own private bathroom and verandah. Between surf you can use the excellent pool/spa and championship tennis court.

3. Dhonveli Beach and Spa, The Maldives - Imagine waking up on an Maldivian atoll in the crystal clear Indian Ocean on a 4 star beach and spa resort with a world class wave right on your doorstep. Does it get any better? Located 13 kms away from Male the capital city of Maldives is the Dhonveli Beach and Spa Resort. The Dhonveli resort is by no means cheap and you’ll be holidaying mostly with non-surfing weary travellers and families from Europe. Right on the corner of the island is the world famous Pasta Point which a very consistent, perfectly shaped left-hand point. There are numerous other quality surf spots within reach by speedboat including Jailbreaks, Sultans, Honkey’s, Lohufushi, Ninja’s, Coke’s and Chicken’s. Asides from the excellent surf guests can go snorkeling, island hopping, go fishing and dolphin watching and go shopping in Male.

4. Las Flores Surf Club, El Salvador - Las Flores Surf Club is a surfers’ resort made by surfers and it took 7 years to plan and build. The namesake break “Las Flores” is a world class break, commonly referred to as a tropical Rincon with 200m + rides when firing which is the main reason you want to come here. The waves form way off the point and start peeling across the cove, right up onto the sand just meters from the front of the hotel. El Salvador’s waves are so lined up and machine-like along these classic point break set-ups which makes for awesome open-face surfing. The resort also orgainises boat trips to reach other local spots. Las Flores is an excellent choice of destination for North American surfers seeking an surf beach resort that caters up to 18 surfing guests per week and offers quality surf and accommodation amidst Central America’s lush tropical forests. The resort has all the pools and facilities that you’d expect to find in any luxury hotel of similar size.

5. Sa’Moana Resort, Samoa - Samoa offers a rich Polynesian culture and awesome surf too! Samoa is one of the many Polynesian islands which are only starting to be surfed more. And when surfing in Samoa there can be no better place to stay then the Sa’Moana Resort, gaining a reputation for its privacy, peacefulness and uniquely beautiful setting in a coconut grove at Salamumu on the south coast of Upolu. This surf beach resort caters for up to 24 guests at a time, so there is no danger of overcrowding. Samoa has an amazing selection of surf breaks, almost exclusively coral reef breaks with no beach breaks here. Down to the waves....and you’ll be surfing surf spots like, Coconuts which is an incredibly hollow right-hander that has been compared to Hollow Tree’s in the Mentawai Islands only without the crowding. Staying in a resort you’ll also get to surf Salamumu and Tiavea which is a sunset style right hand peak, Laulii, Falea’puna, Fagaloa Bay, Solosolo and more!!!

6. Bingin Surf & Yoga Camp, Bali - The Bingin Surf Camp sits just 20 meters from the cliff edge thats overlooks the highly rated Bingin surf spot on Bali’s Bukit peninsula. Much attention to detail on the decor and facilities has been made as you’ll be staying in Balinese style bungalows which have large rooms, cool stone floor, comfortable terrace, open bathroom, carved frontage, fully furnished room and “alang alang” roof (thatched roof). You don’t even have to wander far for a drink or food, visit the onsite restaurant-bar. The Bingin resort is close to all the local waves for advanced surfers such as Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Impossibles, Bingin and Balangan. The resort is situated close to one Bali’s best sandy beaches at Dreamland and only 15 mins away from all the shops and attractions on Kuta. The Bingin resort also offers surf lessons to travellers learning to surf.

7. Mal Pais Surf Camp & Resort, Costa Rica - Rent a villa at the side of the pool at the Mal Pais Surf Camp & Resort down in Costa Rica. This resort is set of 10 acres of lush tropical gardens and has a range of accommodations (Poolside Houses & Villas, Cabinas, Ranchos and Camping Area) giving you the option of staying at cheap or expensive as you want. The resort has its own Restaurant, Jungle Bar and B.B.Q., Recreation Area, 17-Meter Swimming Pool, Universal Gym, Mechanical Bull, Satellite TV, Surf Videos, Billiards and offers tons of other activities. Mal Pais Surf Camp & Resort is 100% surfer dedicated and its in a good location at Mal Pais close to the beautiful beach and several other quality surf spots south of Santa Teresa, towards Cabo Blanco Nature Preserve. Best time to go is the summer when waves are biggest, however, its good all year.

8. The African Perfection Hotel, Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa - What natural-foot surfer doesn’t plan on going to surf Jeffrey’s Bay sometime? Well, when you go you might want to consider staying at the African Perfection Hotel. Its located on the waters edge of the surf on the Supertubes section giving you prime position for a unique beach front experience. Rooms are stylishly decorated with your own private balcony for checking out the waves, dolphins and South African sunrises. The hotel is needless to say, 100% surfer friendly, and you enjoy a delicious breakfast in the a la carte restaurant before heading out for a great day of surfing Jeffreys Bay. The hotel houses 9 en-suite bedrooms each decorated differently in distinct African twist. This place is the perfect place to stay when you make it Jbay. A good time to go would be to overlap the Billabong Pro Jbay held each year. Our advice is book early so you stay a while after all the pro surfers have left to get the waves a less crowded.

9. Nexus Surf Resort, Florinopolis, Brazil - Florinopolis’ 100 miles of beaches, pointbreaks and rivermouths are a true surfer’s paradise thanks to its year round consistent swell, water waters, beautiful climate and bustling South American nightlife. Floripa is home to stacks of world class surf spots such as Praia Mole, Joaquina, Campeche and Lagoinha do Leste. This is where the Nexus Surf Resort is located which also makes for handy access to the waves at Guarda do Embaú and Praia Rosa. The Nexus Surf Experience offers a variety of deluxe beachfront accommodations in Florianopolis in stylishly decorated private beach townhomes, homes and villas in all the best locations in town with all the best perks (cable TV, air conditioning, wireless high speed internet, U.S. phone line, full kitchen, pool/spa/sauna and ocean views). Guests can expect friendly, knowledgeable and customer service. Time wise, when better time to go than to experience Brazil’s only WCT Tour Event, the Nova Schin Surf Festival in late October and early November.

10. Friday on the Beach, Byron Bay, Australia - Byron Bay is a bustling surfing/hippy town mixed with young European backpackers everywhere. Almost all places to stay in Byron are surfer friendly but non are closer to the action and closer to the waves than Friday on the Beach! Friday on the Beach is a fresh, newly refurbished mod-deco motel with beachfront location and ocean views from most rooms. Stay on the luxury double and family sized rooms which have plazma TV, king bed and glamorous bathrooms. Wake up each morning to the waves crashing in on main beach and look further east up the point to The Pass. Byron Bay is littered with good surf round about like that of the backbeach Tallows, and is only an hour’s drive from the awesome Superbank and Duranbah.