Surfer Hairstyle: 27 Cool Ideas for Men & How To Get Look

From messy beach waves to soft sun-kissed highlights, surfer hairstyle represents a relaxed, confident, and adventurous vibe inspired by ocean. This effortlessly cool haircut is all about freedom and flow with longer layers, natural texture, and volume that create a windswept, carefree look.

These beach-inspired hairstyles perfectly match a sun-tanned glow, athletic lifestyle, and easygoing personality. Whether you love medium-length curtains or short, tousled curls, surfer hair gives you that casual, natural charm that never goes out of style.

Let’s check out best surfer haircuts for men from timeless classics to modern favorites that’ll make your hair look fresh and full of life.

Cool Men’s Surfer Hairstyles

Brushed Back Flow

The brushed-back flow is ultimate surfer hairstyle, blending movement and simplicity. Medium-length layers and soft texture make this cut look full and free. Waves are longer at top and slightly shorter on sides and back, flowing back naturally. Slight curls or bends at ends create that signature beachy energy that feels both relaxed and attractive.

Crew Cut

A tousled crew cut is playful yet clean, perfect for men who like short hair with texture. Keeping length even across your head gives a natural, low-maintenance finish that looks good wet or dry. Style with a little matte pomade, then run your fingers through your hair to create a casual, beach-ready look.

Tousled Shag

A tousled shag gives off a bold, youthful vibe with curly or wavy hair and a soft fringe. Hair at front and top stays longer than crown and sides, creating natural layers that frame face. Use some light mousse or curl cream to bring out definition and bounce in your waves.

Messy Bun

The messy bun is an easy go-to for surfers with long hair. Just pull your hair into a mid-height ponytail and loop it halfway through, leaving ends out. It keeps your hair away while surfing or hanging out, and adding a few highlights can make look stand out even more.

Messy Short Hair

Messy short hair is simple, versatile, and always stylish. It usually includes slightly longer hair on top with shorter sides, giving it that beach-wave finish. Whether styled wet or dry, this cut looks natural and youthful. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a clean yet casual appearance.

Long Curly Hair

Long curly hair brings volume and movement, giving off a strong, confident vibe. Layers help the curls fall naturally, framing the face and enhancing texture. Use a curl cream or mousse for better definition and to reduce frizz. Add highlights to give the curls more depth and dimension.

Beachy Waves

Beachy waves are heart of surfer hairstyles soft, loose, and full of texture. Hair flows freely with subtle side parts and feathered layers. Highlights or lowlights add that natural sun-bleached look. A short beard or stubble can give this style a rugged edge.

Dreadlocks

Dreadlocks are a classic surfer look that stand out for their texture and natural vibe. Ocean’s salt helps form and tighten dreads, giving them a raw, beachy appeal. Thin dreads work best for an active lifestyle, though they need regular care to maintain their shape after exposure to saltwater.

Short Curls

Short curls with a bleached-blonde tint perfectly capture surfer lifestyle. Curls are slightly longer on top and shorter at sides, forming a soft, fluffy fringe. Use mousse or curl cream to hold shape, and don’t forget to deep condition to protect bleached hair.

Long Straight Hair

Long, straight hair is one of most iconic surfer styles. With a middle part and soft layers, it creates that classic “just left beach” vibe. Apply a bit of texturizing pomade to damp hair and let it air dry. Pair this style with facial hair or keep it clean-shaven for a more youthful look.

Comb Over Taper Fade

A comb-over taper fade mixes surfer flow with a clean, modern twist. A deep side part adds volume and texture, while tapered fade gives structure. Style with pomade or styling cream for a natural shine and tousled finish.

Blonde Medium Curtains

Blonde medium curtains are perfect for creating that classic wind-blown surfer look. Front layers fall naturally to both sides, blending into shorter layers at back. Sea salt spray enhances texture, while highlights boost brightness and movement.

Faux Hawk Fade

The faux hawk fade adds an edgy yet balanced surfer vibe. Top stays longer and styled upward, fading into shorter sides. Result is a textured, modern haircut that still feels natural and beachy perfect for anyone balancing professional life and adventure.

Short Loose Curls

Short, loose curls are rugged yet soft, especially paired with a beard. Curls rise from crown and fall naturally toward one side. A scissored taper on sides maintains shape, keeping curls in focus.

Buzz Cut

A buzz cut gives you a no-fuss, bold surfer style. Bleached or golden blonde shades make it pop under sunlight. It’s ideal for men who love simplicity and practicality easy to manage, clean, and perfectly matched with stubble or a light beard.

Slick Back

The slick back is sleek and confident great for surfers who split their time between beach and business. Medium-length hair on top is combed back smoothly, while tapered sides maintain a polished shape. Add stubble or a beard for a masculine finish.

Long Flowing Blonde Hair

Long flowing blonde hair has that raw, beachy energy that surfers are known for. Exposure to salt water often helps form soft waves or natural dreads over time. Platinum highlights create separation and brightness, while facial hair adds balance and dimension.

Crew Cut Fade

A crew cut fade is neat, sharp, and practical ideal for busy men who still love surfer aesthetic. Short hair on top blends seamlessly into a clean skin fade, keeping things simple and modern. A full beard complements this look perfectly.

Long Comb Over

The long comb over offers a fuller, more styled version of surfer hair. It starts with a subtle side part, flowing over to one side and getting shorter toward crown. Layers add movement and texture perfect for men with thick or straight hair.

Thick Wavy Fringe

The thick wavy fringe haircut is mysterious and attention-grabbing. Medium-length waves fall over forehead naturally, while tapered sides balance overall style. This look draws attention to your eyes and works great for men with thicker textures.

Middle Part

The middle part brings effortless surfer style with long, soft layers that fall naturally from center. Highlights and darker roots create depth, enhancing natural look. It’s great for everyday wear stylish, simple, and relaxed.

Brush Forward with Undercut

The brush-forward undercut is all about controlled texture. Longer curls at front fall over forehead, while undercut keeps back and sides short. Light caramel highlights add dimension, and a clean-shaven face keeps look fresh and modern.

Wavy Textured Crop

A wavy textured crop is one of easiest surfer cuts to maintain. Short layers bring out your natural wave pattern, while a soft taper connects it with a short beard. It’s clean, easy, and full of subtle texture.

Modern Quiff

The modern quiff gives volume and movement to thicker hair. Top is lifted and shaped upward, while tapered sides add structure. It’s a refined look that still feels relaxed, especially when paired with a short beard or stubble.

Messy Combed Over Hair

The messy combed-over look is ideal for fine hair that needs volume. Layers add fullness, while tousled styling gives it a breezy, lived-in effect. It’s stylish yet natural perfect mix of messy and modern.

Short Messy Waves

Short messy waves are full of texture and bounce. Longer strands on top fall softly over forehead, while shorter sides add contrast. Use sea salt spray on damp hair to separate strands and boost volume. Caramel highlights can make this look even more vibrant.

Long Wavy Hair

Long wavy hair defines surfer style relaxed, free, and effortlessly masculine. Waves move naturally, especially when styled with matte pomade or sea salt spray. Scrunch ends while drying for that perfect beach wave finish. Read 25 Best Comma Haircuts for Men.

What Is Surfer Haircut?

The surfer haircut captures carefree, outdoorsy lifestyle of real surfers tanned skin, sun-streaked hair, and natural flow. It’s usually made up of layered cuts with texture and volume, styled to look slightly undone but effortlessly cool.

You can easily get look using sea salt spray, hair clay, or curl cream to create that windswept texture.

Evolution of Surfer Hairstyle

The surfer hairstyle dates back to 1950s, when real surfers got their windswept, sun-bleached hair from hours in ocean.

• In 1960s, it became iconic, loose, free, and tied to beach culture.
• The 1970s added a boho vibe with longer waves and center parts.
• In 1980s, surfer hair went wild with layered mullets and textured flow.
• By 1990s, movies made it famous, think messy, fun, and relaxed.
• In 2000s, shorter layered surfer cuts took over.
• Now in 2020s, surfer hairstyle fits every hair type and personality curly, wavy, short, or long as long as it looks natural and easygoing.

What Length of Hair Works Best?

The surfer style looks best on medium to long hair, where flow and movement really stand out. But shorter cuts like crew cuts, fades, or faux hawks can also carry that relaxed, beachy vibe if styled right.

Men often keep their sides and back short with a taper fade while leaving top longer and textured giving that signature surfer contrast.

No matter your length, key is keeping it natural, free-flowing, and a little messy.

How To Get Surfer Hair

1. Wash Hair with Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Start with a lightweight, volumizing shampoo and conditioner to remove oil and buildup. Look for ingredients like Vitamin B3, ginkgo biloba, or nourishing oils these keep your hair strong and soft even after sun exposure.

Avoid keratin-based products since they make hair too sleek and flat for surfer look.

2. Use Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

After washing, spray sea salt spray on wet hair. This product creates that natural, gritty texture that looks like you’ve just spent day by ocean. More salt in spray, more tousled and wavy your result will be.

3. Scrunch Your Hair

Flip your head upside down and scrunch your hair by squeezing it upward toward your scalp. This adds texture, boosts volume, and defines waves naturally.

4. Dry Your Hair Naturally or with a Blow Dryer

Let your hair air dry for a soft, natural result or use a blow dryer with a diffuser for more control and bounce. Always dry from root to end to maintain shape and volume.

5. Add a Styling Product for Hold

When your hair is dry, apply a light styling product like matte pomade, mousse, or styling wax. Focus mainly on mid-lengths and ends for that natural, wavy separation.

Popular Hair Products for Surfer Styles

To get authentic surfer texture, combine sea salt spray for movement with styling paste, clay, or cream for hold. These products give you flexibility while keeping your hair shiny, soft, and easy to shape.

Our Thoughts on Surfer Hairstyle

When I first tried surfer hair style, it instantly felt fun and relaxed. My hair looked soft, natural, and slightly messy like I’d just come from beach.

It’s effortless to maintain, and that’s what makes it great. I simply sprayed some sea salt, scrunched my hair, and let it dry naturally. It felt free, light, and stylish without any extra effort.

This style gives confidence without trying too hard every wave and strand moves naturally, giving you that cool, beachy energy.

Conclusion

The surfer hairstyle isn’t just about appearance it’s about freedom and simplicity. It’s a natural, laid-back haircut that brings out your inner confidence and calmness.

Whether your hair is short, long, straight, or curly, you can rock surfer style with just a bit of texture and right products. It doesn’t have to be perfect that natural, slightly messy charm is what makes it so appealing.

For a year-round summer vibe, go for surfer haircut easy, chill, and effortlessly stylish.

FAQs About Surfer Hairstyle