How to Choose a Luxury Surf Holiday

Start with your surfing, not your hotel

The most expensive room in the wrong surf destination is still the wrong surf holiday.

Be honest about your level. A destination with world-class waves may be a terrible choice for a beginner, while a mellow beach break may be perfect for someone learning. Our blog posts for beginners and advanced surfers are a good place to start.

Then choose the month

Surf is seasonal. The same coastline can be excellent in one season and unsuitable for your goals in another. Check swell direction, wind, rainfall, water temperature and local operator advice before booking. The Best by Month planner shows which destinations typically suit each month.

Decide what luxury means

Luxury can mean a private villa, but it can also mean walking to the beach, having a surf guide, arranging boat transfers, returning to a quiet spa or eating exceptionally well.

Write down your top three. It prevents you from paying for features you will barely use.

Build around recovery

Surfing is physical. If you plan to surf daily, do not book an itinerary that forces you into a long transfer every afternoon.

The best surf trips make the good sessions easy and the rest of the day comfortable.

Final checklist

Ability → month → wave type → water → travel time → accommodation → guide/operator → non-surf activities → safety. If all nine make sense, you probably have a good trip.

1. Ability: be honest; famous does not mean suitable.
2. Month: match the coast to the season.
3. Wave type: beach, point or reef.
4. Water: temperature and wetsuit needs.
5. Travel time: how much journey you will accept.
6. Accommodation: location before star rating.
7. Guide or operator: local knowledge improves safety and timing.
8. Non-surf activities: what makes a flat day worthwhile.
9. Safety: read our surf safety blog post.