Gulf Coast Surf Spots

The Gulf Coast, specifically Texas and Louisiana, has been overlooked as a surf spot for years. I have been surfing the Gulf for over 25 years and I would have to say that it is my favorite place to surf. The crowds are small and much friendlier than most of the places that get all the press. And if you are just learning it is the perfect place.

My home state of Texas has a huge coastline with many places with surf that can even get really good at times. Galveston has many places that are easily accessed and surf shops and rentals. One of the old standby spots is by the Flagship hotel which is a very easy place to surf on small days and is one of the more consistent places. On big days surfer have to paddle past the T-head to get to overhead conditions that can produce waves as good as anywhere. Other spots that are easy to find are at 37th and 61st streets on the Seawall.

A little further South in the Freeport area is Surfside, Texas which holds many areas that are surf able and the waves tend to be better than Galveston. The Octagon is probably the most popular, the Octagon was named for a Octagon shaped house that used to be in front of the spot years ago. The next major area is Matagorda which is still somewhat rural but holds waves that are worth the drive.

The Corpus Christi area has held national surfing championships over the years and proves to be one of the more consistent areas of the Gulf. The Bob Hall pier and the fish pass are proven winners. Further South the Port Mansfield boat cut is excellent but hard to access without a 4x4 or a boat. South Padre Island is probably the best surfing in the state that is easy to get to and one of the more consistent spots. South Padre also gets that blue water that people are always looking for.

My current home state of Louisiana is not even considered a surf spot by most. Grand Isle is one of the only beach areas that the public can get to and it can hold some good waves. Before you get to Grand Isle you come across Port Fourchon which is probably the best surfing that the average person can get to. If you have access to a boat the surf spots multiply as there are many islands and sandbars that cannot be reached by car. Katrina and Rita changed the coastline quite a bit and there are lots of new spots that haven't even been surfed yet.

The Gulf summer provides warm water and warmer people to surf with, though you have to pick your days. Though California is more consistent and better for the most part, the amount of people in the water and the attitudes that come with that can take a lot of fun out of it. Personally I would rather be surfing the Gulf, unless it's one of those flat days. Aloha ya'll !