The 14 Best Surf Photographers on Instagram in 2021


There are so many mind-blowing surfing pics on Instagram it's hard to know which photographers to follow and watch. 

In no particular order, we've compiled a list below of the 14 best surf photographers on Instagram so you can stop searching.

Hayden Richards

1) Hayden Richards

Instagram: sa_rips

Location: SA, Australia

Hayden, or “Rich” as he prefers to be known, manages a caravan park in remote South Australia with his wife and four kids. The desolate and isolated coastline of this remote part of the world is perfectly captured in all of his shots with haunting beauty.

 

 

Margarita Salyak

2) Margarita Salyak

Instagram: margarita_salyak

Location: Moscow, Russia

Born and raised in Moscow, Margarita Salyak was a fish out of water in Russia’s frigid temperatures. She has now dedicated her life to photographing world class tropical waves year round. Margarita’s photos speak for themselves. Perfect barrels, colourful skies and crystal clear waters are all captured with a tasteful and talented eye.

 

 

 Stu Gibson - Shipstern Bluff

3) Stu Gibson

Instagram: stugibson

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

There aren't many braver photographers than Stu Gibson. Stu regularly risks life and limb to grab some of the most spectacular shots of Shipstern Bluff in Tasmania. This particular photo won 'The 2019 Nikon Surf Photo of the Year'.

 

 

 Derek Dunfee - Mavericks

4) Derek Dunfee

Instagram: derekdunfee

Location: San Diego, CA, USA

Derek was born and raised in stunning La Jolla, California. These days, Derek is most comfortable in big waves and regularly heads up the California coast to shoot beasts at Mavericks.

 

 

 Surfographer

5) Seb Diaz

Instagram: surfographer

Location: Bondi, NSW, Australia

Although based in Bondi, Seb travels frequently to Hawaii and California. Look out for his gnarly shots of The Wedge in California.

 

 

 Clark Little

6) Clark Little

Instagram: clarklittle

Location: North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii

Clark is one of the most famous surf photographers on Instagram. He specialises in taking death-defying photos at Waimea’s famous shore break.

 

 

Gergo Rugli

7) Gergo Rugli

Instagram: rugligeri

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

You'd never expect a man from the landlocked country of Hungary to be so at home in the ocean but that is just one of the many surprising traits of Gergo Rugli.

 

 

 Mike Harris

8) Mike Harris

Instagram: mikeharrisvisuals

Location: Huntington Beach, CA, USA

You’ll generally find Mike shooting down at the Wedge in California. His fearless shots of backwash-laden barrels have become his trademark.

 

 

 Mike Pessah

9) Mike Pessah

Instagram: mjpessah

Location: SoCal, USA

Mike specialises in sunset and night time shots in Southern California. The yellow and orange beams that illuminate his photos are stunningly beautiful.

 

 

 Tim McKenna

10) Tim McKenna

Instagram: timmckenna

Location: Teahupo'o, Tahiti

Born in Sydney in 1968, Tim McKenna is a leading figure in action sport photography. Tim is now based with his wife and son on the Island of Tahiti and is one of the preeminent surf photographers at Teahupo'o.

 

 

 Andrew Semark

11) Andrew Semark

Instagram: anjsemark

Location: South West WA, Australia

Andrew’s brave photos of south west WA’s monster waves make the swells looks like creatures emerging from the deep.

 

 

 Ben Thouard

12) Ben Thouard

Instagram: benthouard

Location: Teahupo'o, Tahiti

At 22, Ben decided to move to Tahiti from his hometown in the south of France. Ben quickly made Teahupo’o his backyard and a name for himself as one of the best photographers of the famous wave.

 

 

Corey Wilson

13) Corey Wilson

Instagram: corey_wilson

Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Corey was born in Santa Cruz, California and first met Mick Fanning in 2012 at surf events around the Gold Coast. Ever since then, Corey and Mick have developed a very strong friendship and Corey has captured Mick on waves all around the world. Mick Fanning’s self-titled 2018 photo book was shot and compiled by Corey.

 

 

Matt Burgess

14) Matt Burgess

Instagram: matt_burgess_photo

Location: Mornington Peninsula, VIC, Australia

Matt Burgess is an International award winning ocean photographer currently exploring the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Matt is amazed by the relationship between water and light, and is often found in the ocean before sunrise and after sunset.