Planning a surf trip can be really exciting, but also a little nerve-wracking. So here's a quick guide to help you plan your trip with peace of mind.
- Choosing your destination
The choice of travel destination depends on several factors, such as budget, length of trip, season, type of wave sought as well as personal preferences.
When it comes to budget, you will need to consider the cost of the plane ticket, but also the cost of living at the destination. Then, the expected duration of the trip will also influence the choice of destination. Central America and Europe have a good number of destinations that are easily accessible for short trips (1-2 weeks). More distant destinations like Asia, South America and some places south of Africa require more time to get there, so it is better to stay there for at least 2-3 weeks, or even more if possible.
As with any weather-dependent sport, there are better times to travel to certain locations than others. In many surf destinations that are close to the equator, there is a dry season, and a wet season. While prices may be better in the wet season, the experience on site will obviously not be the same. We love getting wet in the ocean during a good surf session, but being wet 24/7 out of the water suddenly becomes less fun.
Another factor to consider is our surfing level, and therefore, the type of wave we are looking for. For a first trip, “beginner waves” are recommended. Not only will we have more fun and chances of success in the water, but there will also be a greater choice of surf schools, places to rent a board and also potentially more chances to meet other new surfers.
Finally, beyond surfing. Traveling allows us to meet people, discover new cultures, tame new flavors, get out of our comfort zone, hence the idea of also choosing according to our personal preferences.
2. Surf camp vs. à la carte surf lessons
There are several surf travel options, one option is to go to a surf camp, where you are taken care of from A to Z. This can be a good option for a first trip, since there is practically nothing to decide, except maybe whether you prefer to do yoga in the morning vs. in the evening, or drink a pineapple or watermelon smoothie. The other option would be to book everything separately. The advantage is to save money, but you have to take the time to organize everything, of course. Generally, in popular surf destinations, surf schools to take lessons and rent equipment are abundant. So it is not necessary to book in advance.
3. Traveling with a surfboard
Bringing your own surfboard from home on a trip can save money, but it is not without risk and possible complications. As a general rule, for a trip of less than 2 weeks, it is better to rent on site. For longer trips, it can be tempting to have your own equipment, you can surf as soon as you arrive, you do not depend on the opening hours of the shops, and have your own board on which you are perhaps already used to surfing. On the other hand, airlines charge a lot of money to transport surfboards, and it is not guaranteed that it will arrive at your destination, nor in the same condition as when you left. The other advantage of renting is being able to try different boards during the trip, depending on the wave conditions and your progress.
4. Book your accommodation
There are several options for accommodation. For a solo trip, it can be cool to stay in a hostel, to meet other travelers and make friends easily. If you need more privacy and sleeping with strangers is not an option, you can then opt for a private room, or even an apartment depending on your budget and needs, but it may be more difficult to meet people. Access to a kitchen can also be advantageous and more economical, provided you are close to a market and a grocery store to stock up on food to cook. In high season, it is better to book before arriving to avoid unpleasant surprises, the beach is really more beautiful and welcoming during the day than to spend your first night there while traveling.
5. I'm going on a surfing trip, in my suitcase I'm bringing...
Swimsuits, t-shirts that go in the water to protect yourself from the sun, but also surf wax (rashguard), sunscreen (it's better to bring your own since in some tourist destinations, sunscreen is sold at crazy prices), a wetsuit for less tropical destinations, a basic first aid kit, travel insurance that includes higher-risk activities like surfing, an international driving license (depending on the destination and the desire to drive there!), and all the other daily essentials.
