Going on an overseas surf trip anytime soon? We’ve got your back. While us cold water women love getting suited and booted for the winter swells, we also relish those rare occasions we get to peel off the layers and feel the sun on our skin. But finding a swimsuit you can surf in (and not expose yourself!) isn’t the easiest thing to do, especially if you have a bigger bust like our Founder, Laura. From shorty wetsuits to bikinis, after trying out a number of different suits over the years, she’s compiled a list of her fave wears outside of the winter climate…

First, let’s hear it for the swimsuits:

1. Fall Bay Swim - Riptide Bikini Top and High and Wasted Bikini Bottoms

This is by far the ultimate surf two-piece on the market right now. And lucky for me, it’s made by a designer right on my doorstep. Supporting local, sustainably sourced brands is one of the most responsible things you can do as a surfer. Forget the TikTok of the girl unloading her drawers full of swimsuits. Fast fashion is most definitely out. If you’re looking for just one well-made bikini to surf in, this is it. The cross back top provides the support you need to keep ‘the girls’ in, and you can opt for a wider 3cm elasticated underbust band if you need that extra bit of support and stability (highly recommended for those DD+). The band fits nice and snug so it doesn’t ride up. The XL provides the most coverage (as shown on Ellie modelling the suit on the Fall Bay website below) for those ladies who prefer that extra material. This was the perfect suit for me on those warmer, shorter surfs during my trip to Australia in their springtime.

The High and Wasted matching bikini bottoms are 1960’s style briefs that never go out of fashion. They’re super flattering, coming up to your natural waistline - your slimmest part of your torso - and fit snug so no chance of them falling down when you wipe out. They have a tasteful cut giving you more coverage on your buttcheeks than most suits out there these days and thank god, the crotch is actually cut ‘wider than average’ which means (again, unlike most brands on the market right now!) you can have peace of mind when you’re sitting on your board in the line up (aren’t we all - and our labias - sick of those dental floss thongs?!)

At just £74 for the set, this is also a piece that isn’t going to break the bank.

Photo credit: Fall Bay Swim's own from their website.

2. Noserider Surf - Retro Surf Suit

Continuing my love of retro cut suits, this is a gorgeous one-piece that looks great on all body types. As an E cup, I was sceptical about a backless suit. I’ve tried other backless pieces before that just make my boobs look saggy and don’t provide the support I need. While I would have usually opted for a medium, I was advised to try the small as the suit would be a little more snug where I needed it on top. I don’t know if it’s the thicker straps or the V cut of the back, but to my amazement this one-piece actually holds in and pushes up your boobs, meaning us bigger busted girls can actually enjoy a backless piece after all!

I opted for the blue crush colour as it was my personal fave, but they’re all to die for. Because I opted for the small, this does mean the cut on the bottoms are a little more ‘cheeky’ on me, but the ‘shorts’ style do provide more coverage than most bottoms. I’ve worn this suit a few times under my wetsuit and I love that it has no lumps or bumps. I also worried as I opted for a lighter colour whether it would be a little see-through when wet, but it absolutely isn’t. I also think it looks great as a beach outfit paired with a skirt or shorts on warm days.

This suit comes in at just under £100.

Photo credit: Noserider Surf Club's own from their website.

3. Finisterre - Sula Swimsuit / Anella Reversible Swimsuit

Both of these swimsuits are on sale right if you’re looking for a bargain. And to be honest, while I’ve listed these two suits from Finisterre (which will probably sell out soon!), you literally can’t go wrong with ANY of their swim or surf collection. The reason I’ve chosen these ones is because I have the Sula swimsuit (how gorgeous is that print!) and a similar cut of one of their previous swimsuits from their Natural History Museum collection (it’s a gorgeous floral print that’s reversible and flips into a blue and white stripe). While the tie on the back does differ between these two styles (the Natural History Museum piece has a more supportive cross-back tie), the tie on the Sula suit still provides sufficient support and could easily be tied in this way too if you’d prefer.

As for the Anella swimsuit, I don’t have this exact suit but I have the same cut swimsuit from the limited edition Lucas Beaufort artist collaboration collection. The high neck and racer back provides a more sporty style suit, with plenty of bust coverage and support. The gorse print and reversible kingfisher blue is just gorgeous too.

While their suits are on average around £100, which you might think is on the pricey side for a swimsuit, I have had my oldest one for years and worn it to death on cold water swims, on surfs and under wetsuits. It has shown absolutely no sign of wearing or fading (that beautiful floral print is just as vibrant as ever). I also feel like when a suit is reversible you’re effectively getting two pieces for the price of one (girl math!) I may eat my words in 20 years time, but I have a feeling these are swimsuits for life.

4. Rapanui - Antilla Bikini Top and Bottoms / Elenna High Neck Swimsuit

The Antilla bikini is a new addition to my wardrobe and admittedly not one I’m yet to wear in the surf (thanks to the non-existent British summer!) but I’m confident, after wearing it on a number of swims, that it would hold up. Its outer material is made with ECONYL fibre, made with plastic waste such as discarded fishing nets. The inner lining is made with post-consumer plastic bottles, so if you’re looking for a truly sustainable piece of swimsuit, this is it.

I love that the two piece has a more traditional ‘sports bra and briefs’ cut (a traditional and modest style you don’t often see in bikinis anymore). The solent blue colour is a personal favourite. The thick elasticated bands under the bust provide the support you need and the band on the bottoms give you peace of mind that they’re not going to fall down. The cut is a little more on the cheeky side, but still not anywhere near the thong style you see from others on the market. I’ve worn this under my wetsuit a number of times and I love that it has no frills - it’s a supportive ‘sporty style’ two piece that works well under a suit. It’s also UV, suncream, oil and chlorine resistant, so you know this isn’t a bikini that’s going to wear/stain easily. And at £60 for the set, you really can’t complain.

I wanted to add in their Rapanui’s Elenna High Neck one-piece here too for those who prefer a one-piece. I haven’t tried this one, but I can attest to the fabric and the high neck suit looks like a good one for a support and extra coverage.

Photo credit: Rapanui'r own from their website.

5. OY - Coho Surf Bikini Top and Mako Surf Bottoms

When I flew out to Bali for my first ever tropical surf experience, I didn’t take a single surf bikini with me. I was about to go to one of the surfing meccas of the world, I was sure to find a well-fitted surf bikini right?! WRONG. I went to a number of shops all around Canggu in my search for a surf suit with support. Most pieces were tiny and completely unsupportive for anyone over a C cup. That was until I stumbled upon the OY Surf shop further up the high street. Lucky for me, there was a sale on and a bargain bucket full of bigger top sizes. While I would usually opt for a large or even extra large bikini top (and put up with/cut off the longer ties at the back), in this suit I was only a medium! Their tops have plenty of material for coverage and their signature tie back combined with the supportive underbust band both holds your boobs in while giving them a ‘lift’.

These bikinis are definitely for more tropical surfs, with the bottoms coming in a super cheeky cut. Many of their previous pieces (the ones I own), even have a scrunch effect. However, the tie side waistband on these bottoms are pretty revolutionary. I put these to the test on a month long surf trip and they withstood many gnarly wipeouts. I must admit, these suits are a bit too exposing for me to wear anywhere other than somewhere like Bali, but they really are great tropical surf pieces that provide support for a bigger bust (just make sure you cover up those buttcheeks in plenty of suncream!)

Unless you’re lucky to grab a Bali bucket bargain like me, you can get a set for around £100 on their website.

Photo credit: OY's own from their website.

Now for the rubber…

6. Srface - Flex 2/2 Longsleeve Shorty

Finally, a shorty wetsuit without a cheeky cut! I’ve been on the search for a shorty wetsuit (with a shorts cut that don’t ride up the bum!) and a chest zip, and they are few and far between. Anyone who knows me will know I am a Srface wetsuit gal til I die and when you finally find a brand that fits your body perfectly and isn’t restrictive, you’re invested. Because of this, I now wear a year-round collection of Srface suits, including the 5/4 hooded heat, the 4/3 remix and the 3/2 flex. The longsleeve shorty wetsuit is a new addition to this and one I’ve had the chance to test out in this recent bit of sunny swell here in Wales. Just like all their suits, this one slides on and feels like butter on your skin. I love the signature orange detailing you can find on some of their suits - a pop of colour that’s quite nice on an all black suit, especially in the sun.

The chest zip is a game changer on a shorty wetsuit. Even though the water isn’t exactly freezing, I’m personally not a fan of that ‘flushing’ feeling when water goes down your neck and through the back of your suit. This negates that, so it’s great if you are surfing bigger waves (and duck diving).

(This suit is currently on sale at £140 and you can get even more discount with our affiliate link and code Dots2410).

7. Finisterre - Long Jane Yulex Swimsuit

This is a great piece for those slightly warmer (but not quite that warm) days. It’s also a great suit for those who’d prefer not to show any leg. While I don’t mind wearing a bit less on holiday, for me this is a suit I feel comfortable wearing while surfing my home break on a warm summers day. Like most spring/summer suits, it’s best suited for mellow, longboarding days (I personally don’t like the ‘flushing’ from duck diving in a piece without a chest zip). The panels around the waist make it super flattering and I love the racerback cut, which means you can tan your arms and shoulders (and finally get rid of those matchstick hands from the winter!)

There is one downside I feel the need to mention (which I think, after conversations with friends in the line up, is quite common with many long Jane/vest cut wetsuits) - chafing! I’ve found that after surfing for about half an hour to an hour in this suit, the stitching starts to rub a little under the armpits. While this may not be an issue for you, I did want to be honest and mention that it was something I experienced. However it hasn’t put me off wearing it as it isn’t bad enough to give up on those precious summer surfs in my long Jane.

At £165, this is a bit of an investment piece, but as a suit you can double up as a cold water swim suit, it’s worth it. Especially as you can sleep sound knowing it’s made from natural rubber.

Photo credit: Finisterre's own from their website.

8. Finisterre - Nieuwland 2e Yulex® Long Sleeve Top and Pant

This long sleeve top is a great piece for wearing over a bikini, one-piece or to pair with the above Long Jane or matching Nieuwland pant. While ‘the retro look’ is all about wearing it unzipped and letting it flap in the wind as you cruise down the wave, this is a great piece to wear zipped up if you want extra coverage or support. It also doubles up as a lifesaving extra layer of warmth if you’re surfing (or swimming) on a colder day.

I often wear this set on a cold water swim in the depths of winter, paired with boots and gloves. I have it in black which matches pretty much anything you’d like to pair them with and both pieces are yet to wear after years of use. It has recently been released in new colours and I am in love with the teal/khaki/aqua.

Again, these pieces are a bit of an investment, but if you’re a cold water swimmer they will definitely be used all year ‘round.

9. Coastlines - 2mm Front Zip Springsuit

I lived in this suit on my trip to Australia last October/November. As the southern hemisphere were coming out of their winter and going into early summer, the water still had a bit of a chill so a little neoprene was definitely needed. This added the extra layer of warmth I needed over my bikini, without being too warm in the Australian heat. While the sun was so strong, it was pretty essential to ensure my arms were covered up, especially as some of our surf sessions were 2/3 hours long. This suit has more of a cheeky cut, although it’s still not too exposing. The seems in particular make the suit super comfortable and the piped edging feels like butter on your skin. I don’t know if it was the paneling or the front zip, but I did feel really good in this suit. I feel like it’s quite a sexy fit, without it being shouty/too Alana Blanchard-esque (hopefully you get it!)

(This suit is available for £165 - click our affiliate link and use the code COASTLINES-DOTS for 15% off).

And for something a little different…

10. Thomas Surfboards - Waistband Board Short

OK, admittedly, I don’t own a pair of these (yet!) - but when I saw Izzy Henshall surfing in these board shorts in Oz, I knew I needed them in my life. While very few surf brands are making board shorts for women these days, Thomas Surfboards are embracing retro styles and channeling the cool ‘tomboy’ Lisa Anderson vibes. These are perfect to wear with a bikini top, over a one piece or with a rash vest. And while I initially thought these would be great just for the coverage, I actually think they would be practical to avoid the thigh rash that’s common when surfing and sitting on your board in bikini bottoms (ouch!) - they are definitely on my list for my next surf trip abroad.

If you were looking for another neoprene recommendation, Thomas also stock a 2mm chest zip spring suit which caught my eye too! It has a shorty cut (much like the Srface suit above) and looks like a practical spring suit you could surf any sized waves in. It’s affordable at £105 too (although as they’re an Australia based company you will need to pay for shipping and an import tax on top of that if you live in the UK - but totally worth it).

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