Surfing Vacations
Surfing vacations . . . the stuff of dreams. They can be anything from a hardcore solo trip, to a surf camp with buddies, to the not nearly as hardcore holiday trip with kids in tow.
Throughout the years I’ve taken several of these trips. Married now with three little ones to take care of, I still manage to get some waves on family trips.
You can plan all you want. You can check the best time of year based on previous swell and wind data and look at guides (maybe like this one) on the best surf spots and accommodations. You can use the Internet so much that you start to feel like you’ve been there before. But after all that, there’s still the element of blind luck. Sometimes the surf’s good, sometimes it’s fair, and sometimes it just plain sucks. I’ve experienced all of the above.
At the end of the day you just make your plans and hope for the best. Keep your expectations realistic and make the most of your time. A surf vacation is still a vacation even if the waves don't happen. At least your not at work. These days no waves equals quality family time. The waves are a bonus and get what I can.
Here’s how a few surfing vacations worked out for me:
Costa Rica — waves every day. Warm water, sunny weather, this was a good surf trip.
Hawaii — where I learned to surf. Still a good place to learn to surf. A bit crowded for the experienced surfer. Ok choice if you want a convenient place to surf and take the family somewhere warm.
San Diego —
the perfect family surfing vacation
. Go to North County off-season and score waves, good prices, and Legoland if you have little ones.
Australia — the waveless surf trip. Sometimes it just won't happen the way you hoped.
New Jersey — a suprise surf session. Don't know if I would recommend this as a surfing vacation destination, but at least I got some waves here.
California Camping — an affordable surfing getaway. Definate possibilities here for surf trips. I've had many good waves surfing and camping the Central and Northern California coast. .
There are many other places I would like to go. Some of the places I think would be fun are not where most people would consider taking a surfing vacation. I would love to surf the area around Tofino on Vancouver Island. I am use to cold water so the idea of relatively empty waves with a woodland sounds nice, similar to far Northern California. Similarly, Alaska would be a fascinating place to surf, especially the area around Yakutat. Another place would be Sardinia. It seems this Italian island gets the most consistent swell in all of the Mediterranean, and from there it would be short hop to mainland Spain for some waves. I love reading about these spots in the Stormrider Guides. The list could go on but mainly I would like to go somewhere the family would enjoy as well.
If you're planning a trip along the Pacific coast, Pacific Coast Highway Travel has excellent advice on driving, accommodations, and more.
Do you have any suggestions for a surfing vacation? Let us know how yours went.
How were the waves? Did the food suck? Do you get aemibic dysentery?
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Playa Los Cocos, Nayarit, Mexico
    
I did not go surfing but I did take my boogie board out into the water at 7:30am and the water was beautifully warm and the sand was soft. The surfers ...
El Salvador
    
El Salvador. I have been there last summer and it was the best surf vacation that i have had in years. The people are so friendly and it's not crowded ...
Lineupexplorers
    
lineupexplorers.com - Find your perfect surf trip! Lineupexplorers offers surf trips to destinations all around the world. Surf boat trips, surf camps,...
G-Land Joyo's Surf Camp
    
Hi There, how are you? my name is laurenz sunyoto director of Surf Camp in G-Land known as Joyo's Surf Camp in East Java - Indonesia, we are on USA/...
Surfing Tofino, Canada
    
Great, I went there in april 2009. Good vibe, friendly locals, people from everywhere at the hostel. Lots of beaches, uncrowded, nice lessons with the ...
surf camp ericeira portugal
    
surf this winter in portugal!!more than 15 point brakes.just choose one!!!
www.gipsyonthemove.com
A GIRL CAN SURF TOO!!
    
this was taken in florida around july(: my boyfriend took it.
Fernando Pantin - Cuyagua
    
Cuyagua 2007
Tavarua Fiji - Cloudbreak!
    
Each year a group of us travel to Tavarua to surf Cloudbreak. This is a dream come true for surfers who get invited to join the group on the island. The ...
Southern Costa Rica
Not rated yet
Stayed with SoCosta Surf, what a blast. Totally a personalized surf experience for 3 of my friends and myself. Professional Surf Guides put us into waves....
Island Coiba, Chiriqui panama and Surrounding Islands
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Wondering if anybody has checked out this area. I was told it has some of the best island surfing in all of central america.Coiba the largest marine park ...
Visit G-LandBooth no. 1686 Surfexpo Orlando 14-16 January 2010
Not rated yet
Hi All, how are you? we are going to attend surfexpo orlando this January 14-16, we'll be playing G-land surf movie and free Surf DVD. also special ...
New Resort In the Mentawais www.botikresort.com
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I was in Botik Island not too long ago and saw one of the most incredible places in my life, They just finished a new resort that looks siiiick righ ...
Surfing Vacations on Vancouver Island
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Here's a nice article about some surfing vacation potential on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Although I do wonder how friendly those JR locals really ...
Portugal Ericeira.
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very good place to stay,if you are looking for a good surf.very good accommodation and surf school.
www.gipsyonthemove.com
Surfers Paradise
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Unobstructed Ocean View Beach Trailor with Cabana at Villa San Niguel Baja Ca. 1 Bedroom, kitchen and dining with large family room with fireplace all ...
surf central America
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punta mango pointbreak, el salvador, central america photo by fran
www.elsalvadorsurfcamps.com
Not rated yet
videos and photography of Central America, surf travel information
El Salvador in Central America
Not rated yet
The country is different of Costa Rica, is smaller with perfect waves around the same area, the roads are in perfect conditions. we got to the airport ...
SURFING PORTUGAL,ericeira
Not rated yet
one of the best surf spots in europe,its very consistent,and many waves to choose,for all surfers levels,and good places to stay..
www.gipsyonthemove....
surfing portugal,ericeira
Not rated yet
Surfing Vacations in Ireland
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This one sounded cool. A surfing vacation in Ireland! Some cold waves and plenty of Guinness beer.
Top Surfing Destinations in Ireland
Top ...
Texas Surfing Vacations
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GG had the following article about surfing vacations in and around Corpus Christi, Texas. It didn't top my list but I admire the uniqueness of it.
Surf ...
Tofino, BC Canada
Not rated yet
Great waves for beginner to intermediate surfers. I've only gone in the fall (Sept-Nov usually) when I was living on the island, but the waves were always ...
Peniche - Portugal
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Hi, i can recommend you Baleal SurfCamp in PORTUGAL. It's a really consistent place, with such a good waves where you can practice your surf. In my opinion ...
oakura-september
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Oakura-in the heart of the naki, NZ.
surf camp ericeira portugal
Not rated yet
Our surf club offers the perfect combination - the ambiance of a bed ,breakfast and dinner with the amenities of an upscale surf club. We are conveniently ...
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