We might be living in the golden era for surf travel—surf travel surged after the pandemic and there are more surf retreats and available surf-adjacent-accommodations than ever before. Plenty of access and plenty of new places to get in the water in really good surf.
I have long tried to remind people that there are thousands of waves breaking on coastlines the world over. Instead of complaining that Trestles is too crowded, find the out-of-reach waves. Sometimes that could be an extra long walk or paddle. Sometimes that could mean a 4:00 am drive. And every so often that might mean booking a proper surf trip with a few close friends to surf mostly empty waves for a solid week.
Start Planning Early
The best way to make time for a surf trip is simple: PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR.
If you're thinking about taking a surf trip in 2026—and you should—now’s the time to start planning. (Early planning is particularly crucial when a plane ticket and a passport are involved)
The good trips take time to line up. You have to coordinate with friends. Pick the right window for waves. Lock in your accommodations. And of course... get your equipment sorted well in advance. (You don't want to be familiarizing yourself with a new board midway through a once-in-a-lifetime surf trip.)
The Best Parts of a Surf Trip Aren’t Always What You Expect
Perfect waves are great. But the things you remember most usually aren’t the waves themselves.
It’s the group text leading up to the trip. The trouble finding the spot. The long dinners after everyone’s surfed out. The small mishaps that turn into stories later.
Enjoy the lead-up. Enjoy the looking forward to it. And give yourself something worth remembering when you get home. That’s a bigger part of the experience than most people realize.
Enjoy the lead-up. Mind-surf the waves before you ever get there, laugh about it after you get back. You could argue that's 55% of the fun.
A Few Tips to Make It a Good One
- Start early. Pick the window. Coordinate with your crew. Get it on the calendar.
- As much as possible, match your equipment to the conditions you will encounter. The right board for the right waves can make all the difference.
- Pack your board bag well. Boards don’t always get handled gently in transit.
- Keep the group size reasonable. Enough for a good time, not so many it’s a headache.
- Choose the right spot. It doesn’t have to be exotic—it just has to suit your crew.
A Note on Your Equipment:
If you're planning on ordering a new board for your trip, this one is for you: Custom boards for surf trips aren’t something to rush. The earlier you reach out, the better we can work with you to build the right board for the conditions you’re targeting. That way, when the trip rolls around, all you have to do is pack it well and paddle out.
In summary:
Go surfing somewhere new this year.
Start planning early.
You’ll be glad you did.
