Surf (move)

Surf なみのり Surfing

It swamps the entire battlefield with a giant wave. It can also be used for crossing water.

Battles Type  Water Category  Special PP  15 (max. 24) Power  95 Accuracy  100% Priority  {{{priority}}} Does not make contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by BrightPowder Affected by King's Rock Usable outside of battle

Target Foe Foe Self Ally Affects all other battlers

Availability Introduced  Generation I HM03 in Generation I HM03 in Generation II HM03 in Generation III HM03 in Generation IV

Contests Category  Beauty Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0 Affected by how well the appeal in front goes.

Super Contests Category  Beauty Appeal  2 ♥♥ Earn +2 if the Pokémon performs first in the turn.

Surf on Legendary Pokémon MoveDex Surf on Eevee's Movedex

Surf (Japanese: なみのり Surfing) is a damage-dealing Water-type move introduced in Generation I. It is HM03 in all generations.

Effect

In battle

Generations I and II

Surf inflicts damage and has no secondary effect.

Generation III

Same as the previous generations, but in a double battle, Surf will hit both opposing Pokémon. Its base Power is doubled if it is targeted at a Pokémon using Dive.

Generation IV

Same as the previous generation; however, in a double battle, Surf will hit all other Pokémon battling, including the partner.

Outside of battle

Surf in the Generation IV games

Surf can be used outside of battle to travel over bodies of water. When doing so, wild Pokémon may be encountered. Surfing is a very important mechanic of the games. Surf is needed in most games to progress through it, sometimes to reach other islands and cities.

The speed of Surfing has varied dramatically through games. In Generations I and II, the speed was at the same speed as walking. In Generation III the speed was increased to running-speed.

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the Surfing speed was reduced to walking speed again. However, it should be noted that the player characters in Generations I and II walk at a somewhat faster pace than Lucas and Dawn. The speed was returned to running speed in Pokémon Platinum.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Piplup using Surf in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Piplup creates a wave and then surfs on it, pushing any players it hits.

Learnset

Generation I

By HM03

#   Pokémon Type 007 Squirtle Water 008 Wartortle Water 009 Blastoise Water 031 Nidoqueen Poison Ground 034 Nidoking Poison Ground 054 Psyduck Water 055 Golduck Water 060 Poliwag Water 061 Poliwhirl Water 062 Poliwrath Water Fighting 072 Tentacool Water Poison 073 Tentacruel Water Poison 079 Slowpoke Water Psychic 080 Slowbro Water Psychic 086 Seel Water 087 Dewgong Water Ice 090 Shellder Water 091 Cloyster Water Ice 098 Krabby Water 099 Kingler Water 108 Lickitung Normal 112 Rhydon Ground Rock 115 Kangaskhan Normal 116 Horsea Water 117 Seadra Water 118 Goldeen Water 119 Seaking Water 120 Staryu Water 121 Starmie Water Psychic 130 Gyarados Water Flying 131 Lapras Water Ice 134 Vaporeon Water 138 Omanyte Rock Water 139 Omastar Rock Water 140 Kabuto Rock Water 141 Kabutops Rock Water 143 Snorlax Normal 147 Dratini Dragon 148 Dragonair Dragon 149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 151 Mew Psychic Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

By Nintendo event

#   Pokémon Type 025 PikachuY Electric Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation II

By HM03

#   Pokémon Type 007 Squirtle Water 008 Wartortle Water 009 Blastoise Water 031 Nidoqueen Poison Ground 034 Nidoking Poison Ground 054 Psyduck Water 055 Golduck Water 060 Poliwag Water 061 Poliwhirl Water 062 Poliwrath Water Fighting 072 Tentacool Water Poison 073 Tentacruel Water Poison 079 Slowpoke Water Psychic 080 Slowbro Water Psychic 086 Seel Water 087 Dewgong Water Ice 090 Shellder Water 091 Cloyster Water Ice 098 Krabby Water 099 Kingler Water 108 Lickitung Normal 112 Rhydon Ground Rock 115 Kangaskhan Normal 116 Horsea Water 117 Seadra Water 118 Goldeen Water 119 Seaking Water 120 Staryu Water 121 Starmie Water Psychic 128 Tauros Normal 130 Gyarados Water Flying 131 Lapras Water Ice 134 Vaporeon Water 138 Omanyte Rock Water 139 Omastar Rock Water 140 Kabuto Rock Water 141 Kabutops Rock Water 143 Snorlax Normal 147 Dratini Dragon 148 Dragonair Dragon 149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 151 Mew Psychic 158 Totodile Water 159 Croconaw Water 160 Feraligatr Water 161 Sentret Normal 162 Furret Normal 170 Chinchou Water Electric 171 Lanturn Water Electric 183 Marill Water 184 Azumarill Water 186 Politoed Water 194 Wooper Water Ground 195 Quagsire Water Ground 199 Slowking Water Psychic 211 Qwilfish Water Poison 215 Sneasel Dark Ice 222 Corsola Water Rock 223 Remoraid Water 224 Octillery Water 226 Mantine Water Flying 230 Kingdra Water Dragon 241 Miltank Normal 245 Suicune Water 248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 249 Lugia Psychic Flying Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation III

By HM03

#   Pokémon Type 007 Squirtle Water 008 Wartortle Water 009 Blastoise Water 031 Nidoqueen Poison Ground 034 Nidoking Poison Ground 054 Psyduck Water 055 Golduck Water 060 Poliwag Water 061 Poliwhirl Water 062 Poliwrath Water Fighting 072 Tentacool Water Poison 073 Tentacruel Water Poison 079 Slowpoke Water Psychic 080 Slowbro Water Psychic 086 Seel Water 087 Dewgong Water Ice 090 Shellder Water 091 Cloyster Water Ice 098 Krabby Water 099 Kingler Water 108 Lickitung Normal 112 Rhydon Ground Rock 115 Kangaskhan Normal 116 Horsea Water 117 Seadra Water 118 Goldeen Water 119 Seaking Water 120 Staryu Water 121 Starmie Water Psychic 130 Gyarados Water Flying 131 Lapras Water Ice 134 Vaporeon Water 138 Omanyte Rock Water 139 Omastar Rock Water 140 Kabuto Rock Water 141 Kabutops Rock Water 143 Snorlax Normal 147 Dratini Dragon 148 Dragonair Dragon 149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 151 Mew Psychic 158 Totodile Water 159 Croconaw Water 160 Feraligatr Water 161 Sentret Normal 162 Furret Normal 170 Chinchou Water Electric 171 Lanturn Water Electric 183 Marill Water 184 Azumarill Water 186 Politoed Water 194 Wooper Water Ground 195 Quagsire Water Ground 199 Slowking Water Psychic 211 Qwilfish Water Poison 215 Sneasel Dark Ice 222 Corsola Water Rock 223 Remoraid Water 224 Octillery Water 226 Mantine Water Flying 230 Kingdra Water Dragon 241 Miltank Normal 245 Suicune Water 248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 249 Lugia Psychic Flying 258 Mudkip Water 259 Marshtomp Water Ground 260 Swampert Water Ground 263 Zigzagoon Normal 264 Linoone Normal 270 Lotad Water Grass 271 Lombre Water Grass 272 Ludicolo Water Grass 279 Pelipper Water Flying 296 Makuhita Fighting 297 Hariyama Fighting 298 Azurill Normal 306 Aggron Steel Rock 318 Carvanha Water Dark 319 Sharpedo Water Dark 320 Wailmer Water 321 Wailord Water 339 Barboach Water Ground 340 Whiscash Water Ground 341 Corphish Water 342 Crawdaunt Water Dark 349 Feebas Water 350 Milotic Water 363 Spheal Ice Water 364 Sealeo Ice Water 365 Walrein Ice Water 366 Clamperl Water 367 Huntail Water 368 Gorebyss Water 369 Relicanth Water Rock 370 Luvdisc Water 380 Latias Dragon Psychic 381 Latios Dragon Psychic 382 Kyogre Water 384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Special move

#   Pokémon Type Obtained in 172 Pichu Electric Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation IV

By HM03

#   Pokémon Type 007 Squirtle Water 008 Wartortle Water 009 Blastoise Water 031 Nidoqueen Poison Ground 034 Nidoking Poison Ground 054 Psyduck Water 055 Golduck Water 060 Poliwag Water 061 Poliwhirl Water 062 Poliwrath Water Fighting 072 Tentacool Water Poison 073 Tentacruel Water Poison 079 Slowpoke Water Psychic 080 Slowbro Water Psychic 086 Seel Water 087 Dewgong Water Ice 090 Shellder Water 091 Cloyster Water Ice 098 Krabby Water 099 Kingler Water 108 Lickitung Normal 112 Rhydon Ground Rock 115 Kangaskhan Normal 116 Horsea Water 117 Seadra Water 118 Goldeen Water 119 Seaking Water 120 Staryu Water 121 Starmie Water Psychic 128 Tauros Normal 130 Gyarados Water Flying 131 Lapras Water Ice 134 Vaporeon Water 138 Omanyte Rock Water 139 Omastar Rock Water 140 Kabuto Rock Water 141 Kabutops Rock Water 143 Snorlax Normal 147 Dratini Dragon 148 Dragonair Dragon 149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 151 Mew Psychic 158 Totodile Water 159 Croconaw Water 160 Feraligatr Water 161 Sentret Normal 162 Furret Normal 170 Chinchou Water Electric 171 Lanturn Water Electric 183 Marill Water 184 Azumarill Water 186 Politoed Water 194 Wooper Water Ground 195 Quagsire Water Ground 199 Slowking Water Psychic 211 Qwilfish Water Poison 215 Sneasel Dark Ice 222 Corsola Water Rock 223 Remoraid Water 224 Octillery Water 226 Mantine Water Flying 230 Kingdra Water Dragon 241 Miltank Normal 245 Suicune Water 248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 249 Lugia Psychic Flying 258 Mudkip Water 259 Marshtomp Water Ground 260 Swampert Water Ground 263 Zigzagoon Normal 264 Linoone Normal 270 Lotad Water Grass 271 Lombre Water Grass 272 Ludicolo Water Grass 279 Pelipper Water Flying 295 Exploud Normal 296 Makuhita Fighting 297 Hariyama Fighting 298 Azurill Normal 306 Aggron Steel Rock 318 Carvanha Water Dark 319 Sharpedo Water Dark 320 Wailmer Water 321 Wailord Water 339 Barboach Water Ground 340 Whiscash Water Ground 341 Corphish Water 342 Crawdaunt Water Dark 349 Feebas Water 350 Milotic Water 363 Spheal Ice Water 364 Sealeo Ice Water 365 Walrein Ice Water 366 Clamperl Water 367 Huntail Water 368 Gorebyss Water 369 Relicanth Water Rock 370 Luvdisc Water 380 Latias Dragon Psychic 381 Latios Dragon Psychic 382 Kyogre Water 384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 393 Piplup Water 394 Prinplup Water 395 Empoleon Water Steel 400 Bibarel Normal Water 409 Rampardos Rock 418 Buizel Water 419 Floatzel Water 422 Shellos West Sea Water 422 Shellos East Sea Water 423 Gastrodon West Sea Water Ground 423 Gastrodon East Sea Water Ground 445 Garchomp Dragon Ground 446 Munchlax Normal 456 Finneon Water 457 Lumineon Water 458 Mantyke Water Flying 461 Weavile Dark Ice 463 Lickilicky Normal 464 Rhyperior Ground Rock 484 Palkia Water Dragon 489 Phione Water 490 Manaphy Water 493 Arceus Bug Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Special move

#   Pokémon Type Obtained in 025 Pikachu Electric Pokémon Battle Revolution 025 Pikachu Electric Poké Walker Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

In the anime

Crawdaunt	Rhydon	Wailmer
The user creates a large wave and rides it. It then crashes it down on the target.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Episode Used In		Notes
Rhydon	Rhydon swims through the water. In battle, sends a giant tidal wave towards the opponent, damaging every Pokémon on the field.
Pietra's Rhydon	Right On Rhydon!		Debut
A Trainer's Rhydon	Tag! We're It!		None
Remoraid	Remoraid creates a huge wave and rides on it.
Marcellus's Remoraid	Octillery the Outcast		None
Marill	Marill creates a huge wave and rides on it. The wave crashes down on the opponent.
Lola's Marill	A Family that Battles Together Stays Together!		None
Whiscash	Whiscash creates a huge wave and rides on it.
Juan's Whiscash	Eight Ain't Enough!		None
Wailmer	Wailmer's eyes glow blue and creates a huge wave and crashes it down on the foe.
A Coordinator's Wailmer	Pruning a Passel of Pals!		None
Milotic	Milotic surfs the water.
Wallace's Milotic	Staging a Heroes' Welcome!		None
Crawdaunt	Crawdaunt star glows and then creates a huge wave and crashes it down on the foe.
Kyle's Crawdaunt	Strategy With a Smile!		None
Wailord	Wailord creates a huge wave and crashes it down on the foe.
A Wild Wailord	Leading a Stray!		None

Trivia

• Surf is used by Pokémon in order to swim and carry humans on their backs simultaneously. However, some of the Pokémon that can learn it are far too small to possibly carry a 10-year-old on their backs, eg. Azurill.
• Surf and Fly are the only HM moves that become event-exclusive moves on certain Pokémon, both on Pikachu.

In other languages

• Dutch: Surf
• French: Surf
• German: Surfer
• Italian: Surf
• Spanish: Surf
• Portuguese: Surf
• Korean: 파도타기 Padotagi

This move article is part of Project MoveDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each move.