The countries with the most good surf in August, from three years of wave and wind model data at 1622 spots. Countries are judged on the best third of their spots for each level, good days count more than merely rideable ones, and monsoon months are left out.
Colombia: prime season, about 18 rideable days and 9 good days, waves around 1.0 m, water 29 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest).
El Salvador: prime season, about 23 rideable days and 4 good days, waves around 1.1 m, water 31 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest).
Costa Rica: good season, about 18 rideable days and 1 good day, waves around 1.1 m, water 30 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Guanacaste, Puntarenas.
Panama: good season, about 14 rideable days and 4 good days, waves around 1.1 m, water 30 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest).
Nicaragua: good season, about 20 rideable days and 0 good days, waves around 1.0 m, water 29 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest).
Mexico: good season, about 15 rideable days and 1 good day, waves around 1.2 m, water 30 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Nayarit, Oaxaca.
Australia: hit and miss, about 11 rideable days and 0 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 17 °C (4/3 mm fullsuit). Best areas: New South Wales, Victoria.
Sri Lanka: good season, about 13 rideable days and 0 good days, waves around 1.3 m, water 28 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Eastern Province, Southern Province.
Intermediate surfers
Mexico: prime season, about 28 rideable days and 14 good days, waves around 1.2 m, water 30 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Oaxaca, Guerrero.
Chile: prime season, about 26 rideable days and 13 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 14 °C (5/4 mm hooded). Best areas: Coquimbo, O'Higgins.
Indonesia: prime season, about 24 rideable days and 11 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 28 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Bali, Sumbawa.
El Salvador: prime season, about 27 rideable days and 14 good days, waves around 1.1 m, water 31 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest).
Peru: prime season, about 25 rideable days and 10 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 20 °C (3/2 mm fullsuit). Best areas: Lima, La Libertad.
New Zealand: prime season, about 21 rideable days and 9 good days, waves around 1.3 m, water 13 °C (5/4 mm hooded). Best areas: North Island, South Island.
Nicaragua: prime season, about 23 rideable days and 11 good days, waves around 1.0 m, water 29 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest).
Costa Rica: prime season, about 21 rideable days and 9 good days, waves around 1.1 m, water 30 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Puntarenas, Guanacaste.
Advanced surfers
Indonesia: prime season, about 25 rideable days and 15 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 28 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Bali, Sumbawa.
Mexico: prime season, about 21 rideable days and 11 good days, waves around 1.2 m, water 30 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest). Best areas: Oaxaca, Guerrero.
Peru: prime season, about 22 rideable days and 10 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 20 °C (3/2 mm fullsuit). Best areas: Lima, La Libertad.
Chile: prime season, about 23 rideable days and 8 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 14 °C (5/4 mm hooded). Best areas: Coquimbo, O'Higgins.
South Africa: prime season, about 19 rideable days and 7 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 17 °C (4/3 mm fullsuit). Best areas: Western Cape, Eastern Cape.
Australia: prime season, about 18 rideable days and 6 good days, waves around 1.4 m, water 17 °C (4/3 mm fullsuit). Best areas: South Australia, Western Australia.
New Zealand: good season, about 17 rideable days and 6 good days, waves around 1.3 m, water 13 °C (5/4 mm hooded). Best areas: North Island, South Island.
Fiji: good season, about 15 rideable days and 6 good days, waves around 1.3 m, water 26 °C (Boardshorts / rash vest).
Left out in August: India (Southwest monsoon: rough onshore seas, most surf schools close); Pakistan (Monsoon: rough seas, swimming bans on Karachi beaches).