Surfing Oahu’s south shore in the best surf bikinis Billabong has to offer. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia

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Be it for a trip to the tropics, summertime adventures, or simply a suit to wear under a wetsuit, a swimsuit is an essential part of every female surfer’s wardrobe. As a lady slider, it can be difficult to find a suit that not only looks good, but will stay securely in place during shred sessions. We set out to find suits that could keep up with our active lifestyle, and put them through the wringer in order to find the best stay put swimsuits for surfers. After extensive testing, here are our top picks. For more information, check out our Comparison Table and Buyer’s Guide.

Best Swimsuits for Surfing of 2024

Best Overall: Jolyn Amelia Bikini Top & Nora Bikini Bottom

Runner Up: Billabong A/Div Banded Triangle Top & A/Div High Leg Bottoms

Most Comfortable: Roxy Wavy Babe Bralette Top & Hipster Bottoms

Most Flattering Cut: Pualani Hawaii Bra Top & Skimpy Scrunch Rio Bottoms

Most Sustainable: Patagonia Seaglass Bay Top & Sunny Tide Bottoms

Best One Piece: Seea Lido One Piece

Best For Bigger Busts: Rip Curl Premium Surf Crop Top & Premium Surf Bikini Bottom

Most Unique: O’Neill Faye Cap Sleeve Active

Best Overall Swimsuit

Jolyn Amelia Bikini Top ($42) & Nora Bikini Bottom ($42)

Pros: Adjustable straps, detailed cutouts on top/bottom
Cons: No pads, runs slightly big

Jolyn has been our tester’s top pick for surf suits for years. The Amelia Bikini top and the Nora Bikini bottoms further solidified why she loves Jolyn. The Amelia top is a sports bra style top with adjustable straps and a cute keyhole in the front. The Nora bottoms have a slightly high waist and a detailed cutout in the rear for added feminine flair.

Both pieces are made from durable, recycled Sea-flex fabric that is both comfortable and tough. Not only does the suit look good, but it performed well in the lineup, staying firmly in place on waves, wipeouts, turtle rolls, and everything else. The only thing worth noting is that the suit ran slightly (just slightly) big, so if you prefer a more secure fit consider ordering a size down. If you prefer another style, the Tomcat top and Andy bottoms are our other tried and true Jolyn favorites.

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Runner-Up Best Overall Swimsuit

Billabong A/Div Banded Triangle Top ($32) & A/Div High Leg Bottoms ($60)

Pros: Supportive, UPF 50 protection, made from recycled fabrics
Cons: Not good for larger busts

Part of Billabong’s Adventure Division, the Banded Top and High Leg bottoms prove they are worthy for saltwater adventures. Triangle tops are our tester’s preference as she think they’re the most flattering and they spare you from weird tanlines, but more often than not, they don’t hold up well in the surf.

The Banded Triangle top, however, is the exception to the rule—the top has a wide band for added support and offers medium support. The High Leg bottoms combine a low waist with a cheeky rear, delivering a trendy, surf worthy bottom. Made from recycled fabrics, both the top and the bottom feature UPF 50 protection. Billabong’s Adventure Division suit isn’t quite as secure and durable as Jolyn, which is why it finished in close second.

Most Comfortable Swimsuit

Roxy Wavy Babe Bralette Top ($54) & Hipster Bottoms ($54)

Pros: Super soft and comfortable
Cons: Print isn’t for everyone

When this suit first arrived in the mail, our tester was not a fan. She thought the print looked like something for an eight-year-old girl, but when she tried it on, her opinion quickly changed. For some reason, it completely works. It fits well, it’s flattering, and the print is fun and unique. Both pieces are made from a recycled nylon fabric that is textured, soft, stretchy, and super comfortable.

The bralette style top is secure in the water, and we appreciated the fact that they include removable pads. The bottoms are full coverage and are secure, but shift a little during some heavier wipeouts and larger sets—we’d suggest sizing down for a super secure fit. Despite our initial hesitations, we can honestly say the Roxy Wave Babe has quickly become one of our favorite suits for surfing and paddling.

Most Flattering Cut

Pualani Hawaii Bra Top ($95) & Skimpy Scrunch Rio Bottoms ($81)

Pros: Four-way stretch fabric, secure and comfortable
Cons: Pads aren’t removable

A few of our tester’s closest friends are pro standup paddlers, and they’ve been wearing and vouching for Pualani for years. From the mind of big wave surfer and water stunt woman Iwalani Isbell, Pualani’s suits are designed for active water women. Made from four-way stretch European fabric the suits are high quality and are designed to last.

While bra style tops are incredibly cute and flattering, we wouldn’t normally recommend them for surfing, but the Pualani Bra Top is equal parts secure and comfortable. Plus, it gives a great little boost for the flat chested gals. As the name suggests, the Skimpy Scrunch Rio bottoms are skimpy, but they’re also super cute and comfortable. If you plan on shredding in your suit, we’d recommend sizing down for that extra secure fit.

Most Sustainable Swimsuit

Patagonia Seaglass Bay Top ($75) & Sunny Tide Bottoms ($79)

Pros: Nanogrip technology
Cons: Bottoms bunch up a little in the back

Fair Trade Certified sewn, the Patagonia Seaglass Bay Top and Sunny Tide Bottoms are made from a blend of recycled polyester/nylon and spandex. The reversible top features a simple cross back design that keeps pressure off the neck without digging in. The low-cut, high performance Sunny Tide bottoms feature Patagonia’s unique Nanogrip technology that helps ensure the suit sits snug and doesn’t budge while in motion. We really like the minimalistic style of this suit and the Nanogrip technology was a great addition for a little added security.

Best One Piece Swimsuit

Seea Lido One Piece ($84)

Pros: UPF 30+, incredibly secure
Cons: Sometimes chafes under the arms

Combining function with fashion, Seea’s Lido One Piece is the ultimate surf suit. Made from a blend of recycled polyester/spandex coupled with a C-skin body fabric, the one-piece suit is rated to UPF 30-plus, so you don’t have to worry about the sun sneaking through the fabric. For the most flattering fit possible, the suit features a high neck, deep V-back, and a retro cut bottom.

While one-piece suits don’t typically tend to be the most stylish, the Hermosa comes in a variety of fun prints and the secure, yet flattering fit ensures it will look good and stay securely in place regardless of what you throw its way. While this suit was incredibly secure while surfing, our tester did experience some chaffing under her arms that proved to be uncomfortable during longer sessions.

Best For Bigger Busts

Rip Curl Premium Surf Crop Top ($59) & Premium Surf Bikini Bottom ($50)

Pros: Great for bigger busts, hidden underwire, powermesh support
Cons: No size option for smaller busts

For surfer gals with a bigger bust size, the Rip Curl Premium Surf DD top and bikini bottoms are the move. Our tester is pretty flat chested but after chatting with some friends, she found that they were all fans of this suit and the fact that it supports bigger cup sizes. The top offers fully adjustable wide straps, removable padding, internal powermesh support, and hidden underwire for maximum support and comfort.

The top is secure enough to ensure the girls won’t go anywhere, but it fits a little snug around the ribcage in the name of support. The bottoms offer full coverage and a mid-rise cut, providing plenty of support while still remaining flattering—on larger sets they slide around a little but if you size down, you’ll get a snugger fit.

Most Unique

O’Neill Faye Cap Sleeve Active ($100)

Pros: Front cutouts, super secure
Cons: No option for pads, kind of weird with a suit under it

The O’Neill Faye Cap Sleeve Active suit is kind of like a cross between a surf suit and a swimsuit. Made from a blend of 82% recycled polyamide and 18% elastane, the medium coverage suit has cap sleeves and a zippered back for easy entry and exit. The front cutout detailing gives the suit a feminine flair and the all over pattern is fun and funky.

The suit is lightweight, comfortable, and dries quickly, making it a great option for hanging on the beach post session. The only downside of the suit is it doesn’t come with anywhere to insert pads and it looks a little funky to wear a swimsuit under—it’s not a deal breaker, but it’s an upgrade we hope O’Neill will add in the future. This suit is unlike any of the others we tested and looks and feels even better on than in photos.

Best of the Rest

Kavala Collection Flower Power Tava Top ($78) & Samet Bottom ($78)

Pros: Cute, retro print, buttery soft fabric
Cons: No spot for pads

Our tester first discovered Kavala Collection via an ad on Instagram and kept coming back because she loved the aesthetic of their suits. They advertised that their suits were designed for surfing, so we decided to give them ago. And we’re glad we did.

The retro look of the Flower Power Tava top and Samet bottom is adorable and holds up well in the lineup too. The material of both pieces is buttery soft and feels incredibly well made and durable. The high-waist cut of the bottom is flattering and the triangle cut top ensures you won’t have any funky tan lines. The Tava top doesn’t come with anywhere to insert pads, which can be a deal breaker for some, but our tester personally prefers to go pad free when surfing.

Body Glove Alani Top ($60) & Rosalia Low Rise Bottom ($30)

Pros: Strappy detailing on the top, soft micro-fiber fabric
Cons: Bottoms and top shift in bigger sets

Body Glove’s Alani Top and Rosalia Low Rise Bottoms are like a match made in heaven. The top is made from a blend of 85% nylon and 15% spandex and is a fixed design with strappy detailing in the back. The top fits securely and is soft and comfortable, and we appreciate the removable pads.

The Rosalia bottoms are low rise and provide medium rear coverage and are made from the same smooth and ultra-soft microfiber fabric as the Alani top. The suit is super comfortable and doesn’t dig in anywhere. The top stays on in most conditions and while the bottoms are secure, they do shift a little in more trying conditions.

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Sisstrevolution Leda Bralette Top ($50) & Solid Rowend High Hip Bottom ($40)

Pros: Top is secure, snug fit
Cons: Bottoms shift in bigger sets

Sisstrevolution always has the cutest prints and we regularly find ourselves eyeing their suits in the shops. But we wanted to know if they were surf worthy, so we decided to give them a try. The Leda Brallete top is comfy, cute, and secure and is perfect for anything the oceans throws your way.

The top doesn’t include pads inserts, but with the snug fit, our tester prefers to do without them anyways. The Rowend bottoms are flattering and fairly secure, but they do shift a little in heavier conditions. Made from Unifi recycled polyester, this is a suit you can feel good about wearing.

Carve Designs Sanitas Top ($60) & Lani Compression Bottom ($40)

Pros: Reversible, UPF 50 rating
Cons: No pads

You’d be hard pressed to find a better surf top than the Sanitas by Carve Designs. Available in a variety of prints and sizes, it’s reversible, it’s made from recycled materials, it’s incredibly secure, and the style is cute and sporty. While the top is solid and won’t go anywhere while surfing, it’s definitely snug and could get uncomfortable if you plan on wearing it all day.

The high cut top and UPF 50 rating offer additional sun protection for your chest, but doesn’t include a spot to insert pads (something to note if that’s important to you). The Lani bottoms sport an ultra-high waist and a cheeky cut rear, accentuating the female curves in the best way. The compression bottoms are secure and can withstand even the heaviest of beatings.

Hurley Max Crochet Soft Strap Top ($65) & Crochet Mid Rise Cheeky Bottom ($55)

Pros: Crochet detailing, compression bottoms
Cons: Material takes longer to dry

Part of the Carissa Moore x Hurley collection, the Max Crochet Top and Cheeky bottoms are designed with performance in mind. The top and bottom feature crochet detailing, which sounded a little weird at first, but is actually incredibly cute and comfy. Made from a blend of polyester and spandex, the top features cross back straps, CF and side wing stabilizers, removable foam cups, a rib elastic underbust, and the entire suit is lined.

The bottoms fit snug and offer max compression support, so you can rest easy knowing they will stay on in trying conditions. The material is thick and durable but as a result, it can take a little longer to dry than other suits. Another huge perk of this suit, is that proceeds support the Moore Aloha Foundation, a non-profit founded by five time world champion Carissa Moore.

Finisterre Anella Reversible Crop Bikini Top ($72) & Anella Reversible High Waist Pant ($59)

Pros: friendly, reversible, super secure fit
Cons: Fabric isn’t very stretchy

The Finisterre Anella Reversible Crop Bikini Top and High Waist Paint were designed for a life on the move. As the name suggests, both pieces of the suit are reversible, with a print on one side and a solid on the other. We really enjoyed the reversible design, allowing us to mix and match for a few different suit options. The top features a racerback design, which provides medium support while allowing freedom to move. The fit is snug and incredibly secure, meaning it stays firmly in place as you shred.

The bottoms sports a snug fit and a high waisted design. They feature medium coverage in the rear, making for a functional yet flattering fit. The entire suit is made from ECONYL regenerated nylon, so you can rest easy knowing this suit has a minimal carbon footprint. The material is not quite as stretchy as we would like, but the minimal stretch allows for that secure fit and we predict the suit won’t easily stretch out over time. Sizing is European, so be sure and check the size chart before ordering (for reference, our tester is 5’7″, 125 pounds and a size 8 fit perfectly).

Salt Life Polly in Paradise Bikini Top ($44) & Polly in Paradise Hipster Bottoms ($42)

Pros: Adjustable x-back straps, cinched back on bottoms
Cons: Top is uncomfortable for prolonged wear

Salt Life’s Polly in Paradise Bikini Top is a secure and supportive bikini top for women who play hard. The bralette style top has removable pads and x-back straps for a customized fit. The x-back straps help take some tension off the shoulders, but because this top is so fitted, it did get uncomfortable after wearing it all day. It was fine for a session, but after extended wear it felt like it was digging in a bit. The medium coverage proved to be the perfect amount to wear while in and out of the water.

The Polly in Paradise Hipster Bottoms pair perfectly with the Polly Bikini Top. The moderate coverage bottoms are stretchy and comfortable. The cinched back adds some style points and the all over print is eye catching. The bottoms fit true to size, but if you prefer an even more snug fit, order a size down.

Patagonia Reversible Extended Break One-Piece Swimsuit ($149)

Pros: Flattering cut, stays put
Cons: Minimal support

Our tester can’t get over how much she loves the fit and feel of the Patagonia Reversible Extended Break One-Piece Swimsuit. One-pieces are consistently one of the most functional options for surfing, but they typically sacrifice some style points. With the Extended Break one-piece, this isn’t the case. The deep v neck paired with the strappy criss cross backing make for a cute and flattering cut. Our tester has had this suit for nearly two years and still gets compliments every time she wear it.

The Extended Break suit has no padding and minimal support. Our tester is pretty flat chested so it hasn’t been an issue, but it might not offer enough support for women with bigger busts. On the flipside, this suit feels like butter and is comfortable enough to wear all day long. Plus, it doesn’t budge while surfing. Like most things from Patagonia, the Extended Break suit is Fair Trade certified sewn and is made from recycled materials.

Best Swimsuits Comparison Table

Some of our favorite stay-put swimsuits for surfing. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia

How We Tested The Best Swimsuits

After years of trial and error and countless mishaps with swimsuits, our tester decided to do a thorough test of the latest styles to help all her surfer girls out. She reached out to her favorite brands and asked each to send her three of their current best bikinis or one pieces for surfing. She lives on Oahu, Hawaii and spends a lot of time surfing in a swimsuit. In order to test these suits, she paddled out in small surf, overhead surf, and wore them standup paddling to see how they fared in a wide range of conditions. After surfing in each, she picked her favorite suit from each brand.

We’ve also done extensive work covering the Best Women’s Springsuits, Best Women’s Wetsuit Jackets, and the Best Rashguards for Women, so you can get out there and stay protected in your warm-water surf adventures.

Editor’s Note: We first ran this swimsuit review in the spring of 2023. All of the suits that originally ran in the feature are still in great shape. In continued testing, they have held their own against some newcomers onto the market. In our most recent update, we added three new suits to our Best of the Rest section. 

Swimsuits Ratings Table

Buyer’s Guide

What Makes a Good Swimsuit for Surfing?

A swimsuit may seem like a pretty straightforward piece of gear—it’s just a few pieces of fabric sewn together. But through years of experience, and a couple of mishaps, we have learned that not all swimsuits are created equally, especially when it comes to surfing and other watersports. A good suit not only comes at an affordable price but also fits securely, is durable, and looks good.

Patagonia‘s suits feature unique Nanogrip technology for added security. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia

Durability

Swimsuits do not come cheap—that’s a fact. If we’re dropping over $100 on a tiny piece of fabric, we want to make sure it’s going to last more than one summer, which is unfortunately all too true for most bikinis.

Fit

Fit is crucial when it comes to a good swimsuit. Obviously one size does not fit all but if you’re anything like us, you do a lot of your shopping online and want a suit that fits true to size. Additionally, we want a suit that hugs in all the right places so it looks as flattering as possible.

For surf suits, we have found that ordering a size down, especially in bottoms can help with a secure fit. For reference, our tester is 5’7”, 125 pounds and tested size small suits.

The Body Glove Alani Top and Rosalia Low Rise Bottom. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia

Aesthetic

If it doesn’t look good, we don’t want it, plain and simple. When we’re purchasing a new suit, we want it to come in a fun print or color and have a cute cut. In addition to your surfing, your suit is a way of expressing yourself out in the water and it’s always fun to find a suit that matches your personality.

Comfort

Our tester has always been a function over fashion kind of gal but when she finds a suit that combines both, she’s stoked. Our tester spends most of the day in a swimsuit and as such, she needs it to be comfortable otherwise it’s not going to make the cut.

Surf check. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia

What Else Should I Look For in a Swimsuit for Surfing?

Pads

When it comes to surfing, our tester personally prefers no pads as they often fold over when you wipeout and look weird and misshapen. But, we do like when suits comes with removable pads to give the girls a little boost on the days when you’re just hanging on the beach.

Best Overall Swimsuit

The Jolyn Amelia bikini top and Nora bikini bottoms are made from durable, recycled fabrics and are comfortable and incredibly secure. Plus, they look good too.

Jolyn Amelia Bikini Top ($42)

Check Price on Jolyn

Adjustable vs. Fixed Back

Some suits have adjustable ties and straps, while others are a fixed style. We’ve found that the fixed, sports bra style tops tend to be the most secure, but you’ll want to make sure they fit you perfectly, because there’s no adjusting if they don’t. If you prefer to be able to adjust your suit for a custom fit, look for a suit with ties or straps.

Our top pick: the Jolyn Amelia Bikini Top and Nora Bikini Bottom. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia

Style

Style is important to us when it comes to bathing suits. We want a suit that has a cute pattern or design and that looks good on, so we can feel confident in it. We tried to include a wide range as styles, as we know preference varies from person to person.

Eco-Friendly

A lot of swimsuit companies these days are creating their suits with the environment in mind. Sustainable swimwear is made from recycled fabrics, recycled fishing nets, recycled plastic bottles, and more. Although whether or not the suit is sustainably made doesn’t necessarily effect performance, we appreciate when sustainable materials and practices are implemented.

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