Surf Travel Adventures

Double-bagging is the golden rule. Use a good travel bag, a day bag inside, and pack with bubble wrap or clothes as padding. Don’t forget to pack your fins in your carry-on and take out all your leash strings! A pro tip is to stuff your wetsuit and towels around the nose and tail. It’s a bit of a mission, but it beats arriving to pumping surf with a snapped stick. Consider a hard case for long-haul flights to really keep your quiver safe.

A groundswell is your best friend. It’s generated by distant storms, traveling thousands of miles to deliver clean, organized, and powerful lines of energy. Think of those perfect, glassy sets. A windswell is created by local winds, often resulting in a choppier, more disorganized mess. It’s better than nothing, but it lacks the power and consistency. For quality waves, you always want to chase a solid groundswell. It’s the difference between a mushy burger and a perfect, hollow barrel.

Forget the marquee names and look for adventure. Think lesser-known islands in Indonesia like the Mentawais’ outer isles, or exploring the coast of mainland Mexico away from the usual spots. Portugal has endless hidden nooks beyond Nazaré and Peniche. Central America still has secret beach breaks if you’re willing to trek. The mission is half the fun. Do your research, be self-sufficient, and always, always respect the spot’s secrecy if you’re trusted with the info.

For beginners, stick to the protected corners of spots like Greenmount or Currumbin Alley for mellow, rolling waves. Intermediate chargers will have a blast at Burleigh Heads on a smaller day, learning to navigate the point. For the experienced watermen and women, when the swell pumps, Snapper Rocks offers that insane, down-the-line Superbank perfection. Just remember your etiquette in the crowded lineup—snaking isn’t cool, brah.