When does an iconic surf break get its reputation? Is it after years of locals tripping down the coast to ride a particular wave, or is it when an intrepid surf photographer catches that wave at exactly the right moment in exactly the right light?

We'd wager it's a mix of the two, which is why we've scoured the archives of the world's very best surf photographers – each of them featured in the new book Amazing Waves – for some of their favourite surf spots from around the world.

From outrageous barrels in nearby Cornwall to the biggest, most beautiful waves in Australia, Hawaii, California and Ireland

Want to see more? Grab a copy of Amazing Waves, published by Orca Publications, for £24.95 at shop.carvemag.com