Hola surf amigos and amigas — have you been itching for a surf trip away from home? As much as we love the waves here in Southern California, us surfers crave adventure, so we’ve gone on a few surf trips of our own recently. We’ve learned some lessons the hard way (ugh), so we have some important tips to share about traveling to surf (that go beyond what’s already written on the wonderful interweb).

SIX key elements to planning the best surf trip or surf retreat 

Be aware that planning a successful surf trip will require research, setting your priorities, asking the right questions…and a bit of luck. It can be hard enough getting dialed in at your home surf breaks. Planning a week – thousands of miles away – is even trickier.

Here are SIX key points to get started, whether you’re looking for an exotic surf destination or simply some warm water where you can improve your surf skills.

1) Consider the surf advice source. This might be the most important factor when planning your surf trip.

Ask yourself: what is your style of surfing and what are you looking to gain from your surf trip? Then seek advice from others who have the same style and goals. Even before you can choose the best location, you need to be aware of the types of waves you are seeking. That might seem obvious, but it’s easy to find advice (on the internet or elsewhere) that is wrong for you. Another surfer may go on and on about a particular break because it suits their style of surfing. But, you know, if you’re into noseriding and that person’s jam is heavy barrels, their experience isn’t really going to be relevant to you.

Are you a shortboarder who longs to carve out turns and hit the lip on the face of a solid wave, and even learn to do aerials? Maybe you dream of tube riding bigger waves on a mid-length surfboard. Or are you into longboarding, whether it’s cruising down the line, mastering roundhouse turns, or cross-stepping to the nose? 

Are you looking to surf a break that can handle big swells, or one that is more consistent with smaller waves? Needless to say, that’s a very important distinction but can easily be overlooked especially when planning from a distance.

It’s also important to keep those factors in mind when looking at the surf forecast. One, the local spots in remote locations often aren’t covered in surf forecasts. During a recent trip to Northern Nicaragua, only one of the surf spots was tracked. We had to use that info to guess what the conditions MIGHT be at the other local surf spots. Most often, we had to do an old-fashioned surf check: load up the truck and drive (up to an hour) to get there. (Imagine how bummed we were to discover the surf was no good and it was too late to get to other spots). And, two, even the spots that had a good forecast didn’t always meet our expectations.In any event, those details are crucial so make them a priority in your research. Again, ask: what type of surf do you want? Then go to the best source for that type of surf. You might not want to rely on the internet for this research. Try asking other surfers at your local beach – or stop by your local surf shop to find like-minded surfers who might have already been to your dream surf trip destination.

 2) Figure out your surf trip budget and consider: how adventurous are you?

These are important questions to answer before deciding on a destination. For example, living in Southern California makes Mexico relatively easy (you can drive there!) and affordable to get to, BUT the cheaper price tag comes with some potential dangers. Driving through Baja after sunset is not advised (lest you crash into a cow or wild donkey in the middle of the dark road). And if your vehicle dies you could be looking at wasted days waiting on repairs as service stations and replacement parts are few and far between. Of course we all want to get away from the crowds, but that means driving many hours down bumpy dirt roads, many of which are not passable in anything other than a 4X4 with high ground clearance and good tires. So, oftentimes the “cheaper” surf trip is high on adventure, but also high on time required and potential trip-ruining hazards. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart! 

On the flip side, you can spend a bit more to fly to amazing surf locations, but that comes with a different set of risks. It can be very expensive to check your surfboard on a plane, and the boards can still get seriously damaged. We recommend using a good quality travel board bag like the ones from Creatures of Leisure, FCS, or Pro-Lite. The American dollar may go a long way in some foreign countries where the surf is good (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Philippines, to name a few), but if you find a hotel or resort that looks good on the internet, then you’re probably going to be paying American prices. Be aware: if they know enough to make themselves searchable in English on Google, then they probably know what you can afford. But paying a bit more can definitely be worth it to ensure a comfortable, drama-free stay.

3) Identify your surf objectives. Do you want coaching or just access to the best waves?

Decide what you want to get out of this surf trip and make that your priority. At one place, we paid as much for the “Surf Guide” package which included daily transportation to the local spots as others paid for the “Surf Camp” package that included surf lessons (and transportation, of course). And we all usually ended up going to the same surf spots.

To be honest, at those prices, you may consider booking a more all-inclusive Surf Retreat with one of your favorite surfers. Many pros now host surf retreats – and we highly recommend the Hang Ten and Zen surf yoga retreats planned and executed by Stewart team rider Tony Silvagni and his partner Layna (a 500hr RYT practitioner who leads dynamic surfer-focused yoga sessions). Yes, we may be biased, but it truly was a life changing experience that we will never forget. Not only does the retreat include in-water coaching on a full fleet of Stewart demo boards, but they also do a video review of your waves at the end of the day so you can see what you can improve and apply it immediately. Hang Ten and Zen not only improves your surfing (and noseriding if that’s your goal), but they make sure you travel to the best waves and enjoy cultural experiences significant to each destination. They team up with local surfers to give back to the community in gratitude for enjoying the locals waves and land. Best of all, they plan every detail of the trip, from airport transfers and comfy accommodations to delicious healthy meals. All you have to do is show up and enjoy! It’s hard to emphasize how important it is to know and trust your hosts when going that distance and the benefits of a fully-planned and perfectly-executed trip far outweighed the additional costs.

If you do choose a resort or location where you don’t really know the people or the surf spots, ask as many specific questions as possible before booking it. One more time for the groms in the back: do not be afraid to ask specific questions about the waves, specifically. Even if you tell the surf guides that you are a longboarder, and they seem stoked to host you, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to have the gentle, glassy peelers that you’re expecting. Get them on the phone if possible and ask a range of questions. These might help:

• How do their local breaks compare to the ones you normally surf at home?
• How consistent are the waves?
• What type of surfboard do they personally usually use?
• How do they plan the surf sessions? What surf forecasts do they use?
• Who else will be going with you daily and what type of boards they will be on? (If you’re piling your longboards into a truck alongside shortboards, then it’s very likely that one of you is not going to be fully satisfied with that surf session.)

Lastly, find out how busy the local surf spots tend to be. If three surf camps show up to the same beach at the same time, loaded with people learning to surf, that detracts from the enjoyment of traveling thousands of miles to a remote surf destination. Now of course, these days, if the waves are good, then there are likely going to be other surfers. So, be aware: the harder it is to get to those waves, the fewer surfers that will be there. (See adventure; number 2 above.)

4) What to consider when choosing an international surf destination

As you know, surf conditions change daily, several times a day. If you have a flexible schedule and can re-book on short notice depending on those conditions, then yay for you. For the rest of us, it requires planning in advance. What we can say for sure: research, research, research, then hope for the best.

When it comes to surfing, it’s not a small world after all. There are hundreds of options around the globe and it can be daunting to pick a single one. How is it possible to select the best place in the world to surf? First and foremost, go into it with the right mindset. Understand that the surf could be a bust. You may have to spend that week reading a good book or discovering other local adventures (climb a nearby volcano, maybe!). It’s the surfer’s outlook. Position yourself as best as possible for the incoming waves, then paddle towards the peak. Enjoy the ride wherever it takes you. Try again tomorrow.

But really, here’s how to get started in the process: choose a region, likely closer to the equator, that doesn’t require 24-hours or more of travel time. Search that radius. Then do research about that area. There are many sources online and we can’t recount them all here. But above all else, remember Rule #1 of our six elements to planning a surf trip: consider the source for your style of surfing. Then along your journey, pay attention. You may learn of other great places to explore. Add those to your list. Rinse. Repeat.

5) When is the best time to plan your surf trip?

Hate to state the obvious, but make sure there’s swell where you’re going during the time of year you’re considering to plan your surf trip. Some areas get waves year-round (bless this place, San Clemente). Not all surf spots do, though, so keep that in mind. 

Another thing to consider is the weather at different times of the year. Hurricanes in certain parts of the world can be wave-producing and in other parts can be trip-ending. A quick online search can tell you average temperatures and rainfall for different times of the year in your chosen surf trip destination. Be sure to plan your surf trip when the weather is most likely to be optimal.

And, if possible, consider booking during off-peak months when the crowds are thinner. We recently hit mainland Mexico during a shoulder season and absolutely scored perfect waves with minimal surfers in the water. Again: do your research.

6) How to travel with your surfboard (or surfboards, multiple)?

If you’ve chosen a surf destination that requires flying, and you want to take your own board, then you will need to do additional research before booking your flight. Some airlines may practically charge the cost of another flight to check your surfboard bag. Some may only count it as a normal checked bag, and others include a board as part of your checked baggage allowance. We highly recommend calling the airline beforehand to confirm their charges. Another great resource for baggage fees is the Pro-Lite website. Once you’ve settled on the best airline and booked your surf trip, then you must pack your bag as securely as possible. We’ve seen many boards damaged during flights, and some of us consider it a miracle if our surfboard arrives without any new dings.

First, choose the surfboard travel bag that combines the most strength with the lightest weight. (Pay attention to weight restrictions by the airlines for checked bags.) Next, add extra padding. We recommend wrapping the board in high-density foam wrap and protecting the rails with foam noodles (you can use pool noodles, but foam tubing used for pipe insulation also works well). Tape it up and be sure to throw the remaining roll of tape into your bag for the return trip. If the board isn’t overweight, you can also pack towels or clothing around the board for extra cushion. If your board still gets damaged, try not to hate the airline’s luggage handlers. They’re probably jealous you get to travel someplace exotic with that killer surfboard. Finally, even if your board makes it through the flight unscathed, there’s a good chance of getting a ding on the trip, so we always recommend traveling with a good ding repair kit and plenty of wax, which can be crazy expensive in remote locations.

Final thoughts about planning a surf trip overseas

Yes, planning a surf trip can be daunting, but if you’re lucky enough to be planning a surf trip, you’re lucky enough! Remember to keep the stoke, even if things end up going sideways. Sometimes the most frustrating travel moments end up being the funny stories we tell. In the end, we’re really looking to create lasting memories through these sometimes magical, sometimes challenging surf trips. We always try to be aware of the good fortune that brought us to the magical world of surfing. No matter where in the world you catch a wave, it takes you far beyond the surface of the water.

All photos from the Stewart archives or courtesy of Hang Ten and Zen photographer Mauro Delgado.