6 Best Surf Maps in Counter-Strike 2

Have you tried CS surfing? Millions of players did, and they keep coming back for more. Although the release of CS2 and its updated movement system brought some doubts about the future of this mechanic, it is clear now that surfing works just fine and keeps getting better. Bug fixes for popular surf maps still come out regularly, creators still design newones from scratch, and the surfing community keeps growing.

In today’s article, we are going to discuss the best CS2 surf maps based on the Steam Workshop rating. But before we start, let’s go through the basic principles of gameplay on CS2 surf maps.

In CS2, surfing is sliding an inclined object (typically called a ramp) — a process that strongly resembles real-life surfing (hence the name). It may look simple on paper, but, just like with its real counterpart, mastering this skill requires a great deal of persistence and years of practice. Tips on how to surf in CS2 will help you get up to speed with this important skill.

Of course, there are a lot of CS2 surf maps designed specifically for beginners — these maps have stages (checkpoints), shorter transfers between ramps, and longer surfaces to slide, which allows a player to gain more velocity. Others are intentionally hardcore, appealing to the long-term fans of the genre and young challengers wanting to prove themselves. With that out of the way, let’s talk about the surf maps we’ve picked for you today.

Surf_aquaflow

It would be a poor list of the best surf maps in CS2 without surf_aquaflow in it. A classic map that has been around since the CS:GO times, it is set in a sci-fi underwater world, and the atmosphere it creates is truly breathtaking. Although the terrain is mostly dark-ish, the ramps and obstacles are well illuminated. This way, you’ll never feel lost surfing Aquaflow (this happens quite often on more challenging player maps).

Understanding how to play CS2 workshop maps with friends will help you practice your surfing skills in the company of teammates.

Speaking of difficulty, surf_aquaflow is marked as tier 2, meaning it’s quite easy to master but still requires some skill to complete. Besides, it has only 2 checkpoints, which adds to the difficulty, especially for inexperienced surfers. However, it is still among the best choices you can go for if you’re new to this whole thing, as it is linear, simple, and easy to understand. Try it out and let us know what you think in the comments.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3255589335&searchtext=SURF

Surf_utopia_njv

Surf_utopia_njv, the next entry in our list of the best CS2 custom surf maps, is a great option for those who are eager to get better at surfing without going full hardcore. The thing is, it’s designed to be straightforward and easy, yet it includes sections that can ruin your run if you're not focused enough. There are a lot of sharp turns, sections you can pass only if using perfect strafes, and forks where you have to decide which way to turn on the go. Sure, the map has 3 checkpoints and gives players some room for mistakes, but we all aim for perfection and want to complete it in 1 run, right?

Design-wise, surf_utopia is a minimalistic setting with only 3 main colors. All sections of the map look similar, with only notable differences present in geometry and angles. The overall atmosphere of surf_utopia is vibrant, calm, and clean, so surfing here feels like driving a good car on a quiet summer road where the sun is shining but doesn't blind you. For this feeling alone, surf_utopia_njv deserves a place among the best surf maps in Counter-Strike 2.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3073875025&searchtext=SURF

Surf_mesa_aether

But some of the good CS2 surf maps should be challenging, right? Time to talk about surf_mesa_aether — a certified intermediate-advanced surf classic. It is a tier 3 map that won’t be kind to beginner surfers. The gameplay on Mesa combines surfing with other challenging features like free-falls. From the visual perspective, this eerie dreamscape looks equally fascinating and scary, especially at your first visits to the map.

Although Mesa includes 6 checkpoints, you’ll probably need them, as controlling your movement mid-air can be quite challenging . Surf_mesa_aether is one of the best surf maps in CS2 for experienced players who seek to warm up or just have fun in new ways.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3125360522&searchtext=SURF

Surf_astra

Some of the most popular surf maps in CS2 have earned their place in the hearts and minds of the community with something other than just gameplay. Well, not that it’s especially lacking in gameplay, too. In fact, it may take hours to clean surf it, even for the most experienced players, because of the tricky transitions between sections that require great precision with speed management and strafing mid-air.

However, it’s the visuals that make this map truly stand out. The setting resembles a spaceship, or perhaps some future version of the International Space Station. For instance, there's neon lights of different colors spread throughout the map to both guide players during their runs and make the environment seem even cooler. Also, one stage includes a reference to the moon landing — players surf next to Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 16 LM Orion.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3165517928&searchtext=SURF

Surf_nyx

The next map on our list is surf_nyx. It's a tier 1 surf map with 2 checkpoints, making it ideal for starting your surfing career. Nyx is set in an underground fantasy world with ramps that look like solar panels and shiny crystals illuminating them. The shades of blue and purple form the basis of the map’s color palette, making players feel clean, cold, and comfortable — a perfect setting for the best surf map in CS2.

It is pretty straightforward and doesn't have any hard transitions that require advanced strafing, long jump, or other high-level techniques. So, if you're an OK ramp surfer looking for fun, or you just want to learn or improve your movement skills, you should go for surf_nyx.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3129698096&searchtext=SURF

Surf_kitsune

Surf_kitsune is one of the most recognizable among the top surf maps in CS2. Its plain, minimalist design combined with a simple concept creates a map that can challenge skilled surfers while staying surprisingly beginner-friendly.

The layout includes multiple short stages that gradually become harder to complete as you progress. The terrain at  Kitsune consists of simple, transparent objects with colored edges, with every stage having its own color scheme. To beat this map, you’ll need to not only surf, but also to do some basic strafing mid-air in order to get over the obstacles on several stages. Although the map has a checkpoint at the beginning of every stage, a true master can beat it in one smooth run. Perhaps that’s why Kitsune is one of the most popular CS surf maps, and you’re sure to see it on every surf server.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3076153623&searchtext=SURF

Along with these locations, you can also view CS2 parkour maps to improve your movement skills.