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Sydney’s most spectacular surf spots

For surfers chasing that one perfect wave, the beaches of Sydney are ‘the place to be’. The city boasts dozens of beaches that embody Australia’s laid-back surf culture. If you would like to avoid the crowds at Bondi Beach and Manly Beach, there are plenty of other options to choose from.

Water Sports

Whale Beach

Famous Whale Beach Wedge

Whale Beach is near one of Sydney’s most affluent neighbourhoods. The beach is framed on both sides by large rock formations. Local surfers like to come here for the infamous Whale Beach Wedge on the north side of the beach: the wave breaks on the rocks and holds up well, even if it is a short one. Whale Beach owes its name to the whales that can be spotted from the cliffs during their migration (June-July and September-November).

Curling waves

Curling waves at Curl Curl Beach

If none of the beaches offer the kind of surf conditions you are looking for, then head to Curl Curl Beach; this is where you will find the best waves of the northern beaches. The beach lives up to its name: the waves curl as they roll in because of the sandbanks along the shore, creating metres high waves. The 2 saltwater pools at Curl Curl are very safe for swimming and surfers can catch their breath after paddling in the heavy current. Did all the action make you hungry? The local surf club is said to serve the best egg and bacon sandwiches in town.

Surfer along the shore

The surf conditions at Long Reef Beach

Long Reef Beach, an extension of Dee Why Beach, lies along Sydney’s northern beaches. A western wind and a southern 'swell' (gentle rolling waves created by the wind on open water) provide fairly consistent surf conditions. The waves are highest in the middle and at the south end of the Beach Strip. Because of the frequent strong winds, the beach is also popular with kite surfers and hang gliders.

Shark Island

Shark Island: only for daredevils

Real daredevils head to the ultimate surfing spot at Shark Island. The reef is composed of sharp stones and the ocean is only 2 metres deep. The waves are fantastic, but those who miscalculate their take-off may end up with some nasty scrapes and scratches. It seems redundant to say that these waves are only for very experienced surfers and require some practice. It may be reassuring to know that Shark Island got its name from the shape of the island – not because the waters are teeming with sharks.

Newport Beach

The options of Newport Beach

Surfers have 2 options at Newport Beach. On the northern side the waves break on the beach, offering beautiful long waves and a laid-back surf experience. The south side requires a bit more effort: here the waves break on a reef in the ocean, creating the famous barrels. The trick is to time your exact entry into the barrel and let the wave carry you back to shore. After a day of surfing, sit back with a refreshing beer in the huge beer garden of the Newport Arms Hotel.

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Arts & Culture

Houston and Dallas may be bigger and more famous, but Austin is in fact the capital of Texas. It’s also the least Texan city in Texas. And the weirdest city in the country. This is something its residents take pride in, as evidenced by the Austin motto of Keep Austin Weird! Have a peek inside weird houses or admire a cathedral of junk in a city where there is even a museum devoted entirely to the weird and strange.

Nightlife

When it comes to music, you might be inclined to think New Orleans (jazz), Memphis (rock ‘n’ roll), Chicago (blues) or Nashville (country), but Austin is actually the music capital of the US. The city boasts over 250 music venues, more than any other American city. You can choose from countless live performances and a fantastic music festival every month, such as SXSW. Austin lives and breathes music.

Beach, Water sports, Nature

The airport in Liberia is the gateway to the Province of Guanacaste, the sunniest part of Costa Rica. Thanks to its large number of snow-white buildings and tree-lined streets made of white gravel, the city itself is also referred to as ‘la ciudad blanca’. But, let’s be honest, most visitors who arrive here are primarily interested in white sand. Only a half hour by car from the airport is the fantastic Pacific coast with beaches that are postcard perfect.

Nature

In the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, you can hike, swim in natural hot springs, picnic and camp. The park features a variety of ecosystems around nine craters and 32 rivers with spectacular waterfalls during the rainy season. The diversity of flora and fauna is amazing: look up and chances are you’ll see toucans, sloths and monkeys in the treetops.

Active & Outdoor

Old towns, stunning constructions and wonderful nature: admire all of this and more in THIS IS HOLLAND, a brand-new 5D movie attraction by the producers of De Nieuwe Wildernis (The New Wilderness). It is the perfect introduction to Holland for first-time visitors, but also an interesting surprise for Dutchies who think they know their country inside out. This is a magical 5D experience with smells, colours, images, sounds, rain and shine.

Culinary

Everyone in Sweden knows Småland as the nation’s culinary centre. The region’s cuisine goes above and beyond the famous meatballs: a Michelin-star restaurant serves innovative Swedish haute cuisine, coffee is elevated to an art, and you can visit a lovely castle and pretend to be Lord or Lady of the manor. Here are three suggestions for typically Swedish restaurants in the city of Växjö.

Arts & Culture

Älmhult is the birthplace of renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus and children’s books author Astrid Lindgren, however its most famous ‘offspring’ is IKEA. Life in this southern Swedish town evolves around the blue-and-yellow furniture giant: from the IKEA Hotel and IKEA Museum to the IKEA Bar and IKEA Spa. Welcome to the one and only IKEA Småland – meatballs and ball pit included.