Best Open-World Games Where You Can Surf

As open-world games get more and more popular, it’s awesome to see how many different ways they let you get around. It used to be just walking everywhere, then they added horses, and eventually things like cars and motorcycles. But one of the coolest things they’ve done is letting you fly or glide – I remember being blown away by that in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. That game also got me hooked on the idea of being able to climb anything, which was a huge step up!

One gameplay feature that isn’t very common is surfing. While some open-world games include hoverboards or similar tools that let players move through the environment as if they were riding ocean waves, it’s something we’d like to see more of. If you’re interested in experiencing this, check out the examples mentioned – they offer the chance to surf across large, open game worlds.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

More Than A Shield

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild really changed what people expected from open-world games. The Paraglider let Link easily jump from high places and soar across Hyrule, and being able to climb almost any surface made exploring much more enjoyable.

I always loved that there was this one mechanic nobody really talks about – you could actually use your shield like a surfboard! It did hurt you while you were doing it, and it only worked if you were going down a slope, but it was such a fun little detail. It’s cool to see how that idea evolved into something even better in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. If you messed around with building things, you could kind of recreate the feeling, but in a much more useful way!

Donkey Kong Bananza

Turf Surfing

Donkey Kong Bananza is a Nintendo game that features surfing, but it’s much simpler to start riding the waves. Instead of a traditional surfboard, players can use almost anything they find – like a rock or even the dirt – to surf with.

Players can improve this skill in the Donkey Kong Bananza skill tree, letting DK also surf on water. This is a fantastic way to travel through the game’s many different environments, or to steer clear of dangers like spiky ground.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Coffin Flop

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features surfing, which becomes available later in the game. As you progress, you’ll encounter a character called The Mechanic. After completing a delivery for them, they’ll provide you with a modified coffin equipped with thrusters.

This Coffin Board lets you surf on land, water, and especially tar. It’s a simple way to quickly move across rough terrain that’s tough to travel on foot or in a vehicle, and it also makes the main character, Sam, look cool while he’s delivering packages.

Forspoken

Parkour Like The Wind

Forspoken isn’t filled with a bustling world and tons of things to do like many other open-world games. Still, it definitely boasts one of the most enjoyable ways of getting around that we’ve seen in a while. The main character, Frey, can move through the fantasy world with incredible agility, almost like a parkour expert performing stunts in a video.

As players progress in the game, Frey unlocks more abilities and spells, including a unique water-based surfboard. Controlling the surfboard is particularly enjoyable, and feels similar to the game’s spell-based combat system.

Genshin Impact

Behold, The Water Champion

Genshin Impact is a popular game that shares similarities with The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, notably its climbing and gliding mechanics. Launched in 2020, it continues to receive regular updates and new characters. Recently, in 2024, the game introduced Mualani, a skilled surfer who also uses water-based abilities in battles.

Mualani arrives with a surfboard, and that’s how surfing was first introduced in the game. Players who haven’t played Genshin Impact in a while might not realize surfing is now a feature, but it’s here to stay and is the best way to explore the beautiful, cartoon-like landscapes.

Star Overdrive

Space Race

I’m really excited about Star Overdrive! It might be a smaller game, but it still has that awesome surfing mechanic I love. You get to explore this massive, sandy planet, collecting resources to upgrade your hoverboard. The best part? You can totally customize it! I’m planning on adding things like speed boosters and maybe even some quick-stop defensive moves – I want to be able to pull off some amazing tricks!

Star Overdrive stands out as one of the few open-world surfing games that lets you customize your surfboard, making it different from many others. While the game does have some fighting, the real fun comes from gaining speed and performing awesome tricks on another planet.

Sword Of The Sea

More Than A Weapon

Sword of the Sea isn’t quite a traditional open-world game; it feels more like a playground where you can roam freely. However, the areas you explore are expansive, visually stunning, and really enjoyable to navigate, especially by surfing.

Players begin the game waking up from a dazed state and are given a floating sword. This sword is the main way they’ll get around the game world. The objective is to figure out puzzles in the desert to bring sea creatures back to life. Each time a new underwater area is discovered, it’s a stunning sight. Surprisingly, there are even half pipes for performing tricks, which feels a little out of place in this relaxed setting, but is still enjoyable.

The Knightling

A Utility Shield

The Knightling feels like a miniature Zelda game. It takes the shield-surfing concept from Breath of the Wild and builds upon it. You play as a knight-in-training, exploring the land, completing quests, and battling enemies using your shield.

I’m really excited about upgrading my shield! It’s not just for defense, it’s becoming a huge part of how I get around. They’re adding new ways to move, and the shield is key. Like, I can actually blow it up to become a parachute, which is awesome for getting down from high places. Or, I can use it as a surfboard to ride across gaps! Seriously, it’s becoming the utility knife of shields – it does everything.

2025-10-01 06:05