Epic Surf Reads
Explore our handpicked collection of the best surfing books—from timeless memoirs and wave-chasing adventures to cultural deep dives and surf philosophy. Whether you're a salty local or just starting out, there's something here to inspire every surfer.
Top 25 Best Surfing Books
Surfing books and magazines are the salvation for surfers when there is no swell, which can be often. We have read a lot of books over the years and have put together what we feel is the list of the best 25 surfing books.
We update this page often and try to keep it up to date as possible.
Kick back and enjoy the top 25 surfing books.
Our Surf Book Recommendations

The History of Surfing [Hardcover]
The History of Surfing is By Far our
Biggest Seller of All Time
The definitive story of surfing, surfers and beach culture by Matt Warshaw.

Surf Craft: Design and the Culture of Board Riding
A visually stunning coffee-table book tracing the evolution of surfboard design.

Incredible Waves: An Appreciation of Perfect Surf
A coffee-table volume of exquisite surf photography by top photographers.

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life
William Finnegan’s Pulitzer Prize–winning memoir tracing surfing history and culture.

The Finest Line: The Global Pursuit of Big-Wave Surfing
An exploration of big-wave surfing with stories and photos from around the world.

For the Love: Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater’s personal reflections and stories on life and surfing.
![Surf Is Where You Find It [Hardcover]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41v6zEZfnEL.jpg)
Surf Is Where You Find It [Hardcover]
Gerry Lopez’s collection of surfing and life lessons.

The California Surf Project
A travel diary of two surfers journeying the California coast with photography and stories.

Waves: From Surfing to Tsunami
Drew Kampion’s primer on understanding waves, combining photos and illustrations.

Surfing Photographs from the Seventies
Jeff Divine’s collection of iconic surf photography from the 1970s.

Stoked (Coffee Table Book)
Drew Kampion’s comprehensive coffee-table book capturing surfing history.

Surf Science (2nd Ed.)
An in-depth guide to the science of waves and surf forecasting.

100 Best Surf Spots in the World
A guide to the world’s premier surf breaks by Rod Sumpter.

The Way of the Surfer
Stories and images exploring the deeper meaning of surfing.

The World Stormrider Guide (Stormrider Guides)
Volume 2 of the classic guide exploring surf zones and environmental factors.

Photo/Stoner: The Rise, Fall, and Mysterious Disappearance of Surfing's Greatest Photographer
Matt Warshaw recounts Ron Stoner’s enigmatic career with rare photos and narrative.

Greg Noll, The Art of the Surf Board (Hardcover)
A celebration of Greg Noll’s pioneering surfboard designs and surfing lifestyle.

Making Mavericks: The Memoir of a Surfing Legend
Richard “Frosty” Hesson’s memoir on riding Mavericks and training champion surfers.

Pipe Dreams by Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater’s personal insights and experiences surfside and beyond.

Kook: What Surfing Taught Me About Love, Life, and Catching the Perfect Wave
Michael Heller’s humorous memoir blending surfing, love, and life lessons.

The Kook’s Guide to Surfing [Paperback]
Jason Borte’s beginner-friendly guide to learning to surf safely.

North Shore Chronicles
Bruce Jenkins’ true tales from Hawaii’s North Shore and its legendary watermen.

LeRoy Grannis: Surf Photography of the 1960s and 1970s
A photographic anthology from America’s seminal surf photographer LeRoy Grannis.

Tao of Surfing: Finding Depth at Low Tide
Michael Allen connects ancient Tao philosophy with the ebb and flow of surfing.

Big Drop
A collection of stories and history covering the evolution of big-wave surfing.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Saltwater Dreaming benefits from any orders you place, surf-related or otherwise. We are able to pay our phone bills from the small commission we receive
If you would like to support Saltwater Dreaming, please bookmark this website for your online shopping.