diff --git a/pygmt/src/surface.py b/pygmt/src/surface.py
index f871081f3ef..e626d0eec8b 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/surface.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/surface.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 )
 from pygmt.io import load_dataarray
 
+__doctest_skip__ = ["surface"]
+
 
 @fmt_docstring
 @deprecate_parameter("outfile", "outgrid", "v0.5.0", remove_version="v0.7.0")
@@ -90,6 +92,16 @@ def surface(data=None, x=None, y=None, z=None, **kwargs):
         - :class:`xarray.DataArray`: if ``outgrid`` is not set
         - None if ``outgrid`` is set (grid output will be stored in file set by
           ``outgrid``)
+
+    Example
+    -------
+    >>> import pygmt
+    >>> # Load a sample table of topography
+    >>> topography = pygmt.datasets.load_sample_data(
+    ...     name="notre_dame_topography"
+    ... )
+    >>> # Perform gridding of topography data
+    >>> grid = pygmt.surface(data=topography, spacing=1, region=[0, 4, 0, 8])
     """
     with GMTTempFile(suffix=".nc") as tmpfile:
         with Session() as lib: