Short on time? Our pick for the best surf bikini is the Brasilia Reversible Top and Brasilia Bikini Bottom.
The best surf bikinis and swimsuits to keep you comfortable and confident while riding waves.
Let’s face it: finding a well-fitting swimsuit is tough.
Finding a surf bikini that stays on is even more critical if you catch waves!
A typical bikini probably won’t cut it for your surf session. You need to feel secure while paddling and duck diving through the water.
Maybe you’re reading this during the winter and daydreaming about summer’s beach and salty sea waves.
Maybe you’re a few weeks into summer, and you’ve realized the swimsuit you’ve been wearing to the beach just doesn’t fit right.
Don’t give up and grab your sports bra just yet.
I’ll introduce you to the best places to buy surf bikinis.
They have a reputation for staying put, whether or not they’re official surf bikini brands! Let’s check them out.
Here’s a Quick Look at Our Recommendations
- Best Overall – Brasilia Reversible Top and Brasilia Bikini Bottom
- Most Popular – Roxy Classic Hipster Bikini Bottoms
- Best for Large Busts – Jolyn Aster Bikini Top
- Most Comfortable – Noserider Classic Long Sleeve Surf Suit
- Best One-Piece – Issa de Mar Makena Surf Suit
- Most Sustainable – Sensi Graves Colleen Eco-Friendly Top
- Most Affordable – Cupshe Skydiver Strappy Crossback
- Most Stylish – Summersalt Ruched Sidestroke Bikini Top
- Best for Short Torsos – Patagonia Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
- Best at Staying in Place – Lululemon Ribbed High-Neck Longline
- Most Durable – Nike Fusion Back Bikini Top
Seaa Brasilia Bikini Set
Best Overall
Highlights: set, reversible, high-waist, supportive top
Seaa Swimwear’s tagline boasts that their bikinis are “designed to keep you covered during surfing, swimming, and diving.”
So how do they hold up?
Seaa’s Brasilia Reversible Top and matching Brasilia Bikini Bottom are best sellers.
High-waist bikini bottoms like these guarantee more coverage. Meanwhile, reversible tops are great for two reasons:
First, reversible suits mean you get two surfing bikinis in one!
Second, reversible fabric is typically more flexible–AKA, more comfortable.
The brand’s founder, Amanda Chinchelli, grew up surfing in Brazil. She created Seaa Swimwear out of her own need for quality swimsuits for surfing.
Most bikinis on Seaa are retro-modern colorful patterns. Each suit is made in a small batch from recycled materials that are UPF 30 to 50.
PROS
- Sustainable brand
- Designed specifically for surfers
CONS
- Expensive
CHECK PRICE ON SEAA:
Roxy Classic Hipster Bikini Bottoms
Most Popular
Highlights: matching rash guards, fun patterns
You can find all kinds of surf gear and surfing bikini styles at Roxy. Their website also has multiple pages filled with helpful tips about finding functional surf bikinis that stay on.
Their best sellers tend to be pieces with more coverage, such as a surfing swimsuit with shorts or rash guards.
You can also form a Roxy surf bikini by pairing any top with their Classic Hipster Bikini Bottoms.
These bikini bottoms have mid-rise coverage and fit snugly–a necessity during surf sessions.
PROS
- Well-known & trusted brand
- Mitch and match tops and bottoms
- Swimwear made of 50-92% recycled fabrics
CONS
- Pricey for just bottoms
Jolyn Aster Bikini Top
Best for Large Busts
Highlights: pastel colors, racerback
Jolyn is one of the best surf bikini brands. They’re a swimwear brand created by female athletes for female athletes.
All their suits are designed for sports.
Jolyn’s Aster Bikini Top is a great surfing bikini. And it pairs well with any Jolyn bottoms.
Jolyn’s “forever fabric” is highly resistant to the effects of chlorine, salt water, and sweat. It offers UV sun protection, which keeps suit colors from fading.
Want a closer look at Jolyn’s suits? Watch Eryn Krouse’s ‘try-on’ video to hear a surfer’s feedback.
PROS
- Made of Sea Flex fabric, composed of recycled fishing nets
- Designed specifically for surfers
- Chlorine resistant
CONS
- Sizing can be difficult
CHECK PRICE ON JOLYN:
Noseride Surf Club Classic Long Sleeve Suit
Most Comfortable
Highlights: rash guard sleeves, back cut-out, earthy tones
Who said a rashguard and supportive surf suit can’t be sexy?
The founder of Noserider Surf Club set out to make sustainable swimsuits that women feel confident wearing.
Noseride Surf Club specializes in surfing bikinis and surf swimsuits with rash guards.
And if you want a one-piece that still shows off some skin, check out their Classic Long Sleeve Surf Suit.
With a suit like this, you get the support of a one-piece and the protection of a rash guard for long days in the sun.
The high leg and back cut-out keep you feeling relaxed and seen.
PROS
- Vita techno-fabric, made of recycled nylon
- Designed specifically for surfers
- Stretchy softness
CONS
- Fabric puckers above the waist
- Expensive
Issa de Mar Makena Surf Suit
Best One Piece
Highlights: rashguard sleeves, contouring lines, zipper back
The Makena Surf Suit is Issa de Mar’s star product. It’s a super soft one-piece with a full-length arm, higher neck, and zipper up the back.
That means this suit stays. In. Place. No nip slips and strappy sunburns.
The two founders grew up in Hawaii and hand-sewed each suit until the brand took off.
I like that they offer repairs for suits within a year of purchase.
Aside from the Makena, Issa de Mar has other swimsuits and a kids’ section.
Issa de Mar website offers 15% off to readers who use our coupon code: RLL4HZALB9
PROS
- Free repairs in the first year
- Designed specifically for surfers
CONS
- Expensive
- Not machine washable
- Only a couple of their suits are fully recycled material
Sensi Graves Colleen Eco-Friendly Top
Most Sustainable
Highlights: Reversible, strappy hip and backing, fresh patterns
Support and security are my top concerns–but I want to look cute too!
The Colleen Eco-Friendly Top is precisely that. It’s reversible with a fun strap design.
Sensi Graves makes these suits in the USA from recycled fabrics (and still offers UPF 50!).
The founder of Sensi Graves was a kiteboard instructor who set out to make ecologically friendly two-piece suits you can trust.
Sensi donates 1% of its sales to environmental protection groups.
Looking for more sustainable options? Read our guide to the best sustainable swimwear brands.
PROS
- Made of reclaimed fishing nets and plastic water bottles
- Donates 1% of sales to environmental groups
- Designed specifically for surfers
CONS
- Very expensive
Cupshe Skydiver Strappy Crossback
Most Affordable
Highlights: High-waisted, thick waistband
Need something more affordable? Try Cupshe’s Skydiver Strappy Crossback.
It’s budget-friendly and supportive. Plus, the back features double crisscrossed adjustable straps!
We wrote a review of Cupshe, which gives a fuller sense of their suits. But steer clear of spaghetti straps and anything too cheeky when shopping for surf suits.
The best swimsuits for water sports usually have full coverage or high-waisted bottoms.
It’s also worth noting that Cupshe isn’t as involved in sustainability efforts as other brands on my list.
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Made from recycled nylon
CONS
- Contributes to fast fashion culture
Summersalt Ruched Sidestroke Bikini Top
Most Stylish
Highlights: single-shoulder, no cleavage spillage, high-waist bottoms
You don’t have to sacrifice style in a surf suit.
Summersalt’s Ruched Sidestroke Bikini Top is a bikini version of their famous Sidestroke one-piece swimsuit, which screams effortless style.
There’s a slight ruching at the top of the shoulder and a diagonal cut-out on the back.
This suit is super stylish without sacrificing coverage or stability for surfers.
PROS
- Unique style
- Hugs boobs snugly
- Mostly made of recycled fabrics
- Reasonably priced
CONS
- Return for store credit
Patagonia Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
Best for Short Torsos
Highlights: gem colors, minimalistic style, racerback
Patagonia’s Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top is held in place by two thick, stitched straps in a racerback style.
It’s a medium-coverage top that still gives off a flattering fit.
With a secure top like this that stays put, you’ll have no fear of facing big waves.
I’ve highlighted this as the best for short torsos because the minimal fabric will visually lengthen your midsection.
PROS
- Designed for active women
- Made in a fair trade certified factory
CONS
- Expensive for the top only
Lululemon Ribbed High-Neck Longline
Best at Staying in Place
Highlights: Full coverage chest, high bottoms
You may recognize Lululemon for famous athletic items like fast and free leggings (which some people surf in).
Did you know Luluemon makes swimwear– and surf swimwear at that?
Luluemon’s Ribbed High-Neck Longline offers great coverage over the chest.
The high neckline and adjustable straps on the back ensure this top stays put.
Lulumeon is known for high-quality athletic clothing–that attention to quality carries over to swimwear.
PROS
- Trusted active-wear brand
- Mid-priced
CONS
- Only two colors
- Not as sustainable as others on this list
Nike Fusion Back Bikini Top
Most Durable
Materials: sporty, racerback, minimalistic, compression fit
You know that classic Nike sports bra that fits like a glove?
Sometimes I wish it were a swimsuit…
Opt for the Nike Fusion Back Bikini Top if you’re in the mood for sporty swimsuits.
The Nike Fusion offers the security of a sports bra in bikini top form.
I find that the Fusion’s racerback is most supportive for busty women. But you might also like Nike’s Scoop-Neck Bikini.
PROS
- Resembles supportive Nike sports bras
CONS
- Expensive for the top only
- Runs small
- Minimal information about sustainability
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Surf Bikinis
What to Look for in Surf Bikinis
What you should look for:
- A secure fit on both the top and bottom
- Snug top with high, scoop, or square necklines
- Enough coverage for your chest
- Cross-back or racerback straps
- Thick straps for weight distribution
- Wide hip band
- Protection from harsh UV rays
What Types of Bikinis Should You Avoid When Surfing?
Try to avoid:
- Strapless tops will slide right off
- Triangle bikinis and halter bikinis add pressure to your neck
- Underwire = uncomfortable!
- String tie bikini tops or bottoms easily untie
- Low-rise bottoms: mid-rise or high-waist bottoms are better
- Textured fabrics with frills or decor that can get caught or rip
FAQs About Surf Bikinis
What type of swimsuit is best for surfing?
Look for a swimsuit that offers coverage, supportive straps, a wide hip band, and protection from UV rays.
Can you surf in a bikini?
Yes, you can.
Some surfers opt for athletic clothing or prefer surf leggings, board shorts, or a rash guard. Others enjoy surfing in a swimsuit.
It all depends on your comfort and the amount of sun protection you want. Although, you might need a wetsuit if you’re surfing in cold water.
The goal is to feel comfortable and confident.
Are G-string bikinis comfortable?
There are so many kinds of bikini tops and bottoms. G-string swimsuits are comfortable to some and uncomfortable to others.
What you wear to the beach is ultimately up to your personal preference and style.
Consider physical and general comfort when surfing.
Do surfers wear bathing suits under wetsuits?
Some do, and some don’t!
What you wear under a wetsuit depends on your preference, the weather, and what you do afterward.
Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Surf Bikini
Surfer girls can rely on a bikini like the Brasilia Reversible Top and Brasilia Bikini Bottom.
A lifelong surfer created the Seaa brand. She set out to fill a gap in women’s swimwear–and that’s exactly what she did.
Seaa designed the Brasilia bikini top and bikini bottom set for active women.
It fits comfortably and features reversible fabric in cute patterns. They also offer a matching rash guard in most colors and patterns.
A Seaa bathing suit is expensive, but they’re a sustainable company working to protect the oceans we surf. Seaa is a great choice for surfing swimsuits.
Whether or not you go with Seaa, I hope my list helps you find the perfect suit so you can hit the beach in style and enjoy paddling in the waves soon!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Monroe Dziersk
Monroe Dziersk is a twenty-something American who’s lived in the USA, Italy, and Czechia. Monroe’s wardrobe is heavily influenced by her years of traveling. She loves finding practical, comfortable pieces that evoke the classy Italian aesthetic and work for any occasion. Her style was quite playful growing up, but since moving to Europe, she has a newfound love for neutrals and sophistication. That being said, playful pieces still get the best of her from time to time!
With her expert eye for style, Monroe writes reviews and guides to help fellow travelers find reliable brands and pieces to use for both day-to-day life and travel experiences.
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