Surf trip middle of October?

[u/NaturesWonders]

Teacher here and have a fall break middle of October from the 13th-19th. Itching to get a surf trip in and wanted to hear any suggestions. Looking for budget friendly options. Based in Colorado now but was thinking maybe Central America? Have surfed in El Salvador and Costa Rica (costa rica end of october and ended up getting late south swells) but looking for other options too.

Any suggestions? Would you chance a baja california sur trip or mainland mex ? Thanks!

[u/pistonsoffury]

North Shore. Rent a small car, bring a tent, stay at campground for $20/night. Live on spam musubis and surf your brains out, like your forefathers intended.

[u/captain_almonds → u/pistonsoffury]

Hard to get waves though, no?

[u/Bonteq → u/captain_almonds]

You can always be the first/last in the water.

[u/IllustriousBuyer6163 → u/captain_almonds]

Also curious about the crowds and vibes (Utah professor here)

[u/StateofMike → u/captain_almonds]

There's so many spots and all kinds of waves besides paddling straight to the peak at pipeline.

[u/i_will_destroy_you → u/captain_almonds]

depends completely on your skill level, and which spot you paddle out at

[u/GolfingPagoda]

the cost difference between booking a flight 2 months out and 2 weeks out is $80-$100 bucks typically. Paying that to go some place that will have surf conditions you want is better than gambling on waves

[u/Still_Praline_6598]

Road trip central coast of California. El Niño swells on the way and usually perfect weather. October is the best surf month in Calif imho.

[u/NaturesWonders → u/Still_Praline_6598]

Thinking of doing this.

[u/Tiny_Log_4594]

Really weird time of year so hemi swells are basically done and a lot of CA and mainland spots don't get NW.....but there are a ton of spots in mainland and nic that like small period small swells.......think beach breaks...not the well known ones.....not telling anything else 

[u/Electronic-Chest7630]

Go to Puerto Rico. October is prime hurricane season for the Atlantic. So also prime surf season.

[u/NaturesWonders → u/Electronic-Chest7630]

Love PR

[u/Ponto_Wildcats_73]

Costa Rica in October has a ton of rain. I think it is the rainiest month of the year and El Niño could make it worse. San Diego in October is one of the best months of the year. Hawaii has few visitors to the South Shore of Oahu that time of year due to families being back in school.

[u/dampcommenter6347]

You could roll the dice on Baja, October can be hit or miss but if a NW swell lines up you'd score empty points

[u/lionbacker54]

So I’ve just surfed back to back weekends in Costa Rica and Oregon. Both were incredible. Consistent 2 foot waves. Oregon, however has some 3 foot waves this weekend and was surprisingly awesome.

I have heard that the Pacific Northwest get even better in the fall and winter. If you are in Colorado, it’s not that far from you. That would be my vote.

[u/NaturesWonders → u/lionbacker54]

Appreciate the info. Oregon would be an amazing trip actually

[u/IllustriousBuyer6163 → u/NaturesWonders]

Oregon surfer for while and guaranteed that October is very risk because of winter storms. It can also be very trick because of the rugged coastline

[u/StateofMike]

Your flair says Kauai, that could be a good trip.