Surfing Vacations

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.

How were the waves? Did the food suck? Do you get aemibic dysentery?

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

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

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 ...

Island Coiba, Chiriqui panama and Surrounding Islands  Not rated yet
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  Not rated yet
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  Not rated yet
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.  Not rated yet
very good place to stay,if you are looking for a good surf.very good accommodation and surf school.

www.gipsyonthemove.com

Surfers Paradise  Not rated yet
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 ...

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  Not rated yet
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  Not rated yet
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  Not rated yet
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 ...

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 ...