Bikinis You Can Actually Surf In
What some women have for bags and shoes I have for bikinis. Lucky for me, they’re easy to store and functional for my lifestyle as someone who lives in Los Angeles and goes surfing every week. I wear a bathing suit every time I surf – whether that’s under a wetsuit or on it’s own. Below is a collection of some of my favorite bikinis to surf in.
What I look for in a surf bikini
- No hardware. I find that underwire suits or bikinis with front ties / clasps are extremely uncomfortable when surfing and tend to leave me with bruises.
- Secure, Seamless feel. I prefer bikinis that feel like activewear, molding to your body and staying with you when you move.
- Cute! This is maybe the most important criteria, because if something isn’t cute, no matter how functional it is, I’m not going to wear it. Just ask the highly functional yet somewhat ugly spring suit that I’ve worn one time, and one time only, and I had one of the work sessions ever. It’s simple: Look good, feel good, surf good. I know gramatically it should be “surf well”, but, anaphora.
Now let’s get to the ‘kinis…
Best Overall Surfing Bikini: Free-est Sonny Top & Dixie Bottom
I wore this bikini while I was surfing the biggest waves I’ve ever surfed in Bali. It stayed on great — even in my near-drowning incident getting stuck in a gnarly shorebreak for several minutes. Don’t worry, I lived.I would recommend sizing down in the bottom to get a secure fit, I sized down from my normal size in Free-est as there was a slight gap in the back of my waist. What I really love about this suit is that it covers my hip points, which are my most vulnerable spot where I always callus. Unfortunately, right before my Bali trip one of my calluses ripped open and started bleeding. This was nerve racking, but a great excuse for me to get this bikini!
- Wear under a wetsuit? Not really the style.
- Wear on it’s own? Absolutely.
- Big boob friendly? Yes with a supportive top underneath.
Great Rash guard Bikini: Skatie
Skatie has tons of pattern and swim styles, but for surfing I like to wear their cropped t-shirt with the [bottom name], plus a bikini top underneath.
This is a great 3-piece option and one that I frequently go for when I’m planning to lounge on the beach after a surf. What I like about this configuration is you can pick whatever top you want and wear it under the t-shirt without worrying about popping out a nip. Then, once you’re done with your sesh, you can take off the t-shirt and you’re ready to tan. One thing I will note, is that I’ve only ever purchased the printed top. I have head from friends that the solids can cause chafing on your armpits, but I’ve never hard of any problems with the prints.
- Wear under wetsuit? Yes, without the t=shirt.
- Wear on it’s own? Yes!
- Big boob friendly? Yes!
Most Comfortable Bikinis: Bond-Eye Scout Top & Sinner Bottom
Bond eye is a predominantly one-size bikini brand, which is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I find the suits to be extremely comfortable. This is an Australian brand, and Aussie bikinis tend to be tiny — these bottoms are especially tiny in the front so keep that in mind!
The bond eye crinkle suits are comfy and sleek enough to wear under a wetsuit —think about them like a seamless bra and underwear set. For me, an A cup, they’re supportive enough to surf in on their own, but I probably would only go for it if I was at a point break or a gentler wave.
- Wear under a wetsuit? Yes, ideal.
- Wear on it’s own? Maybe, depends on the conditions.
- Big boob friendly? Probably not.
Best Fast-Drying Bikinis: Ark Swimwear
Ark is another Australian brand that I love – they have simple, clean, and well-made styles in a moderate selection of colors, plus a few patterns. One thing to note about this brand is it stretches out with wear — when you first get the suit if it’s squeezing you in a little you’ve probably got the right size. The best thing about Ark’s suits is they dry super fast — noticeably faster than any other bikini I own.
Ark’s suits are all super comfy, but if I’m surfing I prefer either the square crop. I also really like the banded bottom, but don’t make the mistake I did and size up! Again — these suits stretch out — its all laid out in their sizing guide for for some reason I just didn’t believe them. One thing about ark’s suits, they are not for my friends with Cs and Ds. Even the larger sizes hardly hold in bs. If you are a larger-chested friend I’d skip this option as a surfing bikini, buy I would still explore Ark suits as a lounge or pool option.
- Under a wetsuit? Yes, the perfect suit.
- Wear on it’s own? Maybe, depends on the conditions.
- Big boob friendly? Not for surfing.
Most Secure Bikini: Free-est by Free People Dylan Top & Farrah Bottom
Free-est by Free People is probably my favorite brand of the bunch. Both surf bikinis I have from them are very secure and comfortable. This one is more of a true bikini, with a bralette top and a high cut bottom. The fit of the bottom isn’t for everyone as it’s quite high waisted, but the thick waist band is super secure. The top also stays on well an has adjustable straps to ensure a good fit. Of all my surf bikinis, this is the most secure — I wore this bikini the rowdy waters of Todos Santos and it stayed on no problem. If you’ve ever surfed in baja California sur, you know that’s a testament to the fit! I don’t tend to wear this under a wetsuit because it is thicker, but it’s not a hard no.
- Wear under a wetsuit? Not my first choice, but yes.
- Wear on it’s own? Absolutely! My go-to.
- Big boob friendly? Yes.
At the end of the day, the best surf bikini is the one that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to paddle out without a second thought. These are the suits I’ve tested, loved, and trust to stay on in everything from mellow point breaks to Baja closeouts. Surfing is hard enough without worrying about your bikini — so if you find one that makes you feel strong and stylish, hold onto it. I’ll keep adding to this list as I try new brands, so check back, and if you’ve found a surf bikini you swear by, drop me a note. I’m always on the lookout for my next favorite.
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