Buy Your Wax Here
The Flow TripA guide to surf shops, from hidden gems to local landmarks
Words by Tess Woolslager
Let's paddle back in time: 1950. Manhattan Beach, California. Before surf influencers, before big name surf brands, before surf shops had the audacity to sell $90 T-shirts.
Surf culture was just beginning to emerge, and surfing pioneer and board shaper Dale “Hawk” Velzy opened the world’s first surf shop just steps from the pier. More than just a place to buy a board, it was a clubhouse, a storytelling hub, and a front- row seat to the lifestyle taking shape for surfers in Southern California. His approach set the template for what the best surf shops still aspire to be today: not just a store, but a way of life.
Inspired by that spirit, The Flow Trip set off on our own Endless Summer-style adventure. Only this time, instead of chasing perfect waves and sunshine, we searched for the world’s greatest surf shops — the ones that still carry that same Velzy energy: a little grit, a little funk, good people, and plenty of stoke. From California to Japan to Portugal and beyond, we think we found them. The ultimate surf shop travel guide. Maybe next time we'll turn it into a documentary.
Europe
Pukas Surf Shop
San Sebastián, Spain
Founded: 1979
Owner: The Letamendia-Azpiroz family
Specialty: Surfboards, original merch, local community events, drippy surf fashion
Why it's legendary: From garage project to global surf name, Pukas has been family-run from the start. They helped shape modern European surf culture, launched Spain’s very first pro surf contests, and still build custom boards today. They’ve also got a strong streetwear game, with everything from hype brands to local labels and limited-edition drops.
Hangfive Surf & Coffee
Baleal, Portugal
Founded: 2015
Owner: Luis Cunha
Specialty: Alternative surfboard shapes, board rentals, coffee, surf club, community space
Why it's legendary: Hangfive isn’t focused on hitting sales goals or pushing big-name brands — it’s built around human connection. More than a surf shop, it’s a community gathering space where people come to hang, peruse beautifully crafted boards, shop local goods, and share a coffee or beer with good company.
Central America
Coconut Harry's Surf & Music Lounge
Nosara, Costa Rica
Founded: 2001
Owner: Rich Burnam
Specialty: Lessons, gear, clothes, rentals, food and drinks, music, community events
Why it's legendary: Not only do they offer gear and lessons, they’re also slinging hot dogs, pizza, and $9 all-day margaritas. Plus if you stick around, you’ll hear some live music from After Surf Band, or you can pick up a guitar for a spontaneous jam in their Creation Station.
North America
Sunrise Surf Shop
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Founded: 1976
Owner: Dan Brooks
Specialty: Board rentals, surf and skate accessories and apparel, community give-backs
Why it's legendary: Beyond outfitting generations of Jacksonville surfers and skaters for decades, the shop never loses sight of what matters most to them: giving back. Sunrise is an active participant in its community through sponsorships of local surf contests and charities, town clothing drives, and most notably, their surf camps for children with autism.
Bird's Surf Shed
San Diego, California
Founded: 2011
Owner: Eric “Bird” Huffman
Specialty: Custom boards, rentals, surf accessories and apparel, museum-esque space
Why it's legendary: It’s literally a shed. With surfboards. Everywhere. We’re talking on the ceiling, along the walls, and propped in every which way. In Bird's world, surfing means riding waves on whatever vehicle that will help the rider find their stoke. The Shed is a true reflection of his passion for the surfboard and has become a landmark (and surfboard mecca) in San Diego’s surf community.
Waialua Surf Shop
Waialua, Hawaii
Founded: 1990
Owner: Steve Matthews
Specialty: Surfboard factory, surf apparel, local artwork
Why it's legendary: It’s located inside the town’s historic Waialua Sugar Mill. Talk about a sweet spot. More than just a retail store, it’s also a working surfboard factory, home to Third Stone, where boards are designed, shaped, and glassed on-site. The team also screenprints most of its apparel in house, making the shop a true hub of craftsmanship and surf culture on Oʻahu’s North Shore.
Daydream Surf Shop
Newport Beach, California
Founded: 2016
Owners: Kyle Kennelly and Rebecca Mantei
Specialty: Surfboards, vintage clothing, specialty coffee, art gallery, community event space, surf club
Why it's legendary: This shop’s kind of got it all: walls lined with beautiful boards, Khruangbin playing through the speakers, racks of vintage clothing, local artwork, and incredible coffee. What more could you need? And it’s tucked away in a part of town most people don’t frequent. Their crowd is intentional, and they’ve somehow turned a sleepy old warehouse into a high vibration community space not just for surfers, but for anyone who is down for a cool atmosphere and kind company.
The Frog House
Newport Beach, California
Founded: 1962
Owner: TK Brimer
Specialty: Quirky surf goods, surfboards, decades of local surf culture
Why it's legendary: It just is. Take a drive along the PCH and its iconic kelly green frog logo is impossible to miss. The shop is quirky, gritty, and cheeky –– the perfect recipe for a quintessential Southern California surf shop. We’d argue it’s the blueprint. The shop’s owner is a pretty cool dude and has made such an impression on the community that for most, TK’s and Frog House are basically synonymous.
Africa
The Corner Surf Shop
Cape Town, South Africa
Founded: 1971
Owner: Peter Wright
Specialty: Surfboards, apparel, swimwear, skateboards, skate gear
Why it's legendary: It’s Africa’s oldest surf shop. Enough said. Even more remarkably, it’s still owned by its original founder, Peter Wright, more than five decades later. Loved by locals and travelers alike, it’s the kind of place where you can pick up a new board, replace the bikini you forgot to pack, or simply soak up the stoke that’s been filling the shop for generations.
Australia
Thomas Surfboards
Noosa Heads, Australia
Founded: 2008
Owner: Thomas Bexon
Specialty: Original surfboards, surfboard factory, barber shop, coffee, apparel
Why it's legendary: This shop has a little bit of everything: rows of surfboards lining the walls, demo boards you can ride before you buy, a barber shop (yes, you read that right), great coffee, and even a coworking space for digital nomads. The real highlight is the on-site surfboard factory, where you can watch boards being shaped and glassed for custom orders. If you stop by, be sure to give the shop dog some pets for us.
Asia
Drifter Surf
Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Founded: 2009
Specialty: Surfboards, cafe, live music, community events, art gallery
Why it's legendary: Drifter is a true surf sanctuary, located in a traditional Javanese limasan with warm wood and natural sunlight bathing the space. It’s filled with one-of-a-kind surfboards from legendary surfers, includes a cafe with kombucha on tap, and holds regular community events like Balinese Dance Night, Surf Movie Night, and Surfboard Swaps. They’re also the only place in Indonesia to stock authentic Patagonia gear. Count us in.
One World Surf Shop
Ichinomiya-Chosei, Japan
Owner: Hiro Hamano
Specialty: Board and wet suit rentals, surf lessons, funky original merch, skateboards
Why it's legendary: Just steps from the beach, wet suits hang drying on the fence, motorcycles and bikes line the front, and interesting locals and travelers gather around. At the center of it all is Hiro, the shop's owner and a local surfer who offers some of the best lessons in town and knows every break in the area, from beginner-friendly waves to hidden favorites.
Other Notable Shops
Air & Speed Surf Shop
Montauk, New York
Founded: 1996
Owners: Stu and Catherine Foley
Channel Island Surfboards
Santa Barbara, California
Founded: 1969
Owner: Britt Merrick
Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co.
North Hampton, New Hampshire
Founded: 1980
Owner: Dave Cropper
Eos Surf
Sheboygan, Michigan
Founded: 1998
Owner: Andrew Jakus
Liquid Dreams Surf Shop
Ogunquit, Maine
Founded: 1996
Owner: Mark Anastas
McTavish Surf
Byron Bay, Australia
Founded: 1962
Owners: Father and son, Bob and Ben McTavish
Mollusk Surf Shop
San Francisco, California
Founded: 2005
Owners: John McCambridge and Johanna St. Clair
Pilgrim Surf + Supply
Brooklyn, New York
Founded: 2012
Owners: Chris and Erin Gentile
Summer Sessions Surf Shop
Rye, New Hampshire
Founded: 2002
Owners: Brothers, Ryan and Tyler McCill
Suncatcher Surf Shop
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Founded: 1981
Owners: Tom Markle and family
Surf Exchange Co
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Founded: 2022
Owner: Andrew Nota
Unsound Surf
Long Beach, New York
Founded: 1997
Owners: Dave Juan & Mike Nelson
Wavegliders Surf Shop
Ericeira, Portugal
Founded: 2009
Owner: Nico
Photos owned by Surf Shops
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