As summer comes to a close, warm-weather vacation is on the brain. And unless you’ve been ignoring the internet, you’ll notice that surfing is officially “in” with more than just beach bums and classic Keanu Reeves characters.
So if you’re looking to escape the impending cold weather while building up some fancy new board-skills, here are 9 great resorts, surf schools and surf camps that will make sure you get an absolutely swell vacation in some of the world’s best surf spots.
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Surf Maroc – Taghazout, Morocco
While Africa trips are frequently reserved for safaris, it should also be at the top of your list for surfing, and few places will be a better experience than Surf Maroc on the coast of Taghazout. With a focus on “nourishing and balancing the body and mind,” be sure to check out their Yoga Surf Retreat packages that include “energizing yoga, waves for all surfing abilities, delicious food and great company.” You can check out their Instagram feed here.
Padang Padang Surf Camp – Bali, Indonesia
There isn’t much that isn’t incredible in Bali, and surfing is no exception. With water temperatures as agreeable as their waves, you won’t even need a wetsuit. Padang Padang is well known for its incredible service and their staff of friendly, veteran surfers. It’s also pretty reasonably priced with its most expensive “Superior” room running about $1,000 per person for a whole week. Yoga and massages are also available on the grounds by request, but chances are, you won’t want to get out of the water.
Nexus Surf – Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis has almost 100 miles of gorgeous coastline containing over 40 beaches and a youthful, energetic scene that few places can rival. Through Nexus Surf you can line up top notch vacation homes for accommodation as well as lessons for all levels and access to the city’s famous nightlife. November-March tends to be the best stretch for the overall Florianópolis experience, especially for beginner surfers.
Surf Camp a Biarritz (Quicksilver) – Biarritz, France
Considered the original birthplace of surfing in Europe, Biarritz not only offers an excellent balance between surf-life and laid-back French culture, but through the Quicksilver Surf School of Biarritz, you can line up a getaway fitting of almost any level of luxury, length, and passion for the sport (though if you want to get really fancy, you’ll want to book a hotel separately). They even offer a camp specifically for women. So if you care for some phenomenal red wine to accompany your riptide, this might be your best bet. Move quickly though, because surf season wraps up at the end of November.
Harbour Reef Surf Resort – Nosara, Costa Rica
Being in Costa Rica, the activities are endless; snorkelling, fishing, yoga, ATVs, and eco-tours to name a few. But as far as surfing goes, it doesn’t get much better than Nosara, especially for the keen novice. Harbour Reef offers excellent quality with a perfect selection of stay/surf packages, ranging from 5-day one-bedroom setups to 7-day two bedroom visits, complete with breakfast, complimentary photo and video documentation of your progress, and a choice of two additional activities that include a zip-line tour, a horseback ride or daily yoga.
Kaua’i Surf School – Kaua’I, Hawaii
You will be hard-pressed to find a place in the world more beautiful than Kaua’I; it’s pretty much heaven for anyone who loves the outdoors. If you’re not taking the world’s coolest helicopter ride or spending a half-day hiking into a secluded waterfall, you can set up surf lessons with the Kaua’I Surf School and crash somewhere on their 5-acre Surf House in Poipu (where the school is), or in one of their affiliated swanky Kuhio Shores Condos. Also, make sure you eat at The Dolphin Restaurant, Fish Market & Sushi lounge in Hanalei.
Club Ed – Santa Cruz, California
In 1885, the first waves ever surfed in the US were surfed in Santa Cruz. 100 years later this university town is the must-visit surf-spot on the west coast of the States, featuring the famous Pleasure Point and Steamer Lane which provide just two of the eleven A-list surf breaks available in the city. While accommodations are aligned only with their summer camps and remote sessions in Cabo San Lucas, the variety and quality of instruction at Club Ed has earned it the #1 one spot on TripAdvisor for Boat Tours and Water Sports in Santa Cruz. Whether a total beginner, an advanced longboarder or an expert surfer, Club Ed can get you or a group of any size riding the California waves. And if you want tack on some real R&R, Napa Valley is less than a three hour drive away…
Maderas Village – San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Only a short distance from Playa Maderas, this relaxing, social getaway is quickly becoming a favourite for the big-city-sick. For $15/hr (plus board rental), you can get lessons just a few minutes from the village property or arrange surfing day trips to surrounding spots like Playa Hermosa, Playa Romonzo, and Colorado’s. Communal dinners and catamaran cruises act as great compliments to a day out on the break. Warning: this place has been known to suck you in and never spit you out.
Laguna Surf Camp – Mancora, Peru
If you’re in for the lowest of the low key and authentic, rustic surf-life accommodations, Northern Peru is one of the best bangs for your buck. Just a few minutes away from the beach, Laguna surf camp has 12 bamboo bungalows buried in a sea of trees, and sprinkled around it, hammocks, lounge chairs and a small restaurant that seems to cook up incredible reviews from all its guests. The star of the show is Pilar, the owner, who can get a novice surfer carving in no time.
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