Florida

The east coast of Florida offers miles of beautiful Atlantic beach, which makes for some of the best surfing in the state. Visit between August and October and you could be riding classic waves for days. But even if there's no surf in sight, you can be sure you won't get bored. From deep sea fishing and airboat flights to great nightlife, there's plenty to keep you busy.

Just south of Cocoa Beach you'll find Sebastian Inlet, which boasts the most consistent surf - and draws the most crowds. Here you'll find some of the most competitive surfers around, as well as a definitive pecking order. So make sure you know your peaks from your barrels.

Flagler Beach, Crescent Beach, and the famous Venice Beach on the Southwest coast are other surf hotspots well worth a visit.

The Beach Boys said it. Rather than jump in at the deep end, why not get some lessons from a pro and learn the techniques? The Cocoa Beach Surfing School is the place to go for surfing beginners looking for a few pointers. There, you'll study how to read the waves before you ride them.