We've all been there: Wiping out, missing waves, fumbling duckdives, and getting caught inside. Nothing is more annoying than having to take your mind off the situation at hand to fix your bikinis to avoid flashing strangers.

So, how do you find a bikini that actually works for surfing? And what are the key features you should look for when shopping for surf bikinis?

This guide is based on my experience of surfing for over a decade, conversations I've had with fellow surfers, and designing bikinis to fill the gaps in the market. My design ethos is creating surf bikinis that are as cute, fun, and sexy as regular 'fashion bikinis' but perform like sportswear.

Bikinis that are actually functional in water and tested by real surfers in real conditions, not just those perfect little longboard days when your hair barely gets wet.

In this post, we’re focusing on Muru’s bread and butter: two-piece bikini sets with separate tops and bottoms. At the end, you’ll also find a bonus section covering one-pieces and surf suits.

So, what are the features to look for?

Tension & anchor points: This is the most important part, and what keeps the suit glued to you. It's basically the laws of physics, you need tension pulling in opposite directions around your body to mitigate the force of the waves and water pulling the suit in other direction.

Fit & adjustability: A good surf bikini should adapt to your body, not the other way around. Being able to tighten, loosen, and customize your fit ensures your bikini stays secure in all conditions.

Support: Think about how much load your straps need to carry, especially for larger cup sizes. The straps tying behind your neck can lead to pressure during longer sessions, causing headaches. Balanced support is key.

Drawstring waist: This is your best friend in surf bikini bottoms. A built-in drawstring keeps everything in place, even when the surf gets heavy. This also helps with the longevity of your surf bottoms, even after much wear, you can tighten the bottoms to fit perfectly.

Other design features: Is the garment flat, or is there shape built into it? Swimwear fabric stretches to a certain point, but you don't want the material and the seams doing the heavy lifting, the garment should be designed for real 3D human bodies.

Materials: If you want your bikini to last more than one season, material matters! Look for high-quality fabrics that are resistant to saltwater, sun exposure, and constant movement. Durable materials with strong elasticity will maintain their shape and performance over time.

All Muru bikinis are made from high-quality Italian fabrics by Carvico, that keeps their shape and are resistant to pilling and fading. Our choice of fabric is also a sustainable one. The premium fabric in our bikinis is made of 78% regenerated fibers given a second life as surfwear.

Sizing

Each brand has its own sizing built around averages, and the desired buyer demographic. It's a combination of measurements like height, hip, bust, underbust, and proportions as trivial as (actually not trivial at all, but that’s a whole other conversation) the distance between the nipples. However, most of us won't fit perfectly into all of these measurements at once. But we still want the perfect fit. That’s why adjustability plays such a big role.

Choosing the right size is also important. Pay attention to the size charts and keep in mind that most materials will stretch slightly over time, so a snug (but still comfortable) fit is usually the best choice.

What to avoid?

Underwires: This is a safety issue. If an underwire comes loose from its casing, it can cause serious injury in the water.

Fixed shoulder straps: Unless you perfectly match the brand’s sizing, fixed straps are rarely ideal. And even if the straps are the perfect length at first, they will inevitably stretch, and end up too loose at some point.

Fixed ribcage band: Same logic here. Too tight is just uncomfortable, too loose means your bikini won't stay in place when you need it to.

+/ - Hardware, such as strap adjusters: This can be a hit or miss. Hardware improves adjustability, but it's a trade-off. Your hair can get caught in it, and plastic ones can also break easily.

One-piece swimsuits & surfsuits

Finding surf-worthy one-pieces is often easier. The design creates tension around the body by default, which helps keep the suit in place. Still, a few details can make or break the experience.

Zippers: Zippers are a bit of a 50–50 situation. They’re often the weakest point of a suit and can be difficult to replace or repair if broken. To work well, they need to be high-quality and durable enough to handle friction against the board and repeated use. They can improve sun protection by allowing the suit to fully close, but they also tend to jam if not carefully rinsed after each session.

Layers: A lined suit is usually the better choice for durability, quality, and coverage. Lining can be made from a special lining fabric, or the same fabric as the outer layer. You want to check that the lining and main fabric cannot slip against each other. Otherwise, the outside layer of the suit might be sticking to the wax of your surfboard while the lining -and you inside the lining- are slipping back and forth on the board while taking off.

Final thoughts

A good surf bikini isn’t just about how it looks, even though that is important too! It’s about how it performs when it actually matters.

The right combination of fit, adjustability, and durable materials means you can stay focused on the waves instead of your swimwear.

Because the best sessions are the ones where you forget what you’re wearing entirely.