I'm all about cheap air fares,warm water,and 3rd world countries. id like to go to indo but personally feel my skill level isn't up to par with indo,plus they feed u dogs without ur knowledge.central America and mehico is the best bet. id love to eventually go to spain and Portugal but there swell window is the same as ours on the east coast.even tho there waves are a helluva lot better
Just went on a caravan trip through Spain and Portugal with my family For the month of October. Surfed the Portuguese coastline from Sagres to Porto and had a few good sessions in Basque Country as well. The trip was epic. We actually found ourselves in peniche for the ripcurl pro with 3-4x OH waves at supertubos. Was awesome to watch, but I got food poisoning from some cheese so wasn’t able to surf. Snapped some sick photos though. Was able to see Nazaré at 30ft-ish with a few chargers out. Some of the locals that I talked to when there said the day before we arrived it was 60ft+ “Like mountains”. Food is unreal, like some of the best things I’ve ever eatin and I love food. This is a shot of Mick Fanning pulling into an absolute bomb... he made it, the man is a legend. Also, my lady and daughter (just over 1yo) met Gabriel Medina, Mason Ho and Matty Wilkinson at the ripcurl flagship store later that day while I was dry heaving in our caravan from that delicious cheese.
I'm an average surfer...but have been to Indo (Bali) 3 times. Unless you go when its absolutely pumping, you'll be ok. I have not done a Mentawai boat trip, where I'm sure it gets a little sketchier (shallow, access to help is much further, etc) Certain breaks in Bali are far more dangerous than others - don't paddle out to low tide Impossibles or Padang right when you get there. Also, go in their offseason (our winter). There is always a wave, but the waves, and the crowds, are generally smaller. If you can surf the big days in NJ, you'll be fine at most spots in the world in quality OH and smaller waves...in my experience. As for the food - it is what it is. Go to the open markets where you actually watch them cook the chicken/fish/dog. Enjoy.
2 month Mex van trip this summer.....Agree with what is said on this page. Indo/Central A and Mexico are the places to go to get great waves for cheap....tons of fun beachies to surf in MEx without another soul in site. I am in the word position of having long vacations but not having tons of money...which I am fine with. Indo is amazing but you end up spending a lot on interisland flights. Peru is another awesome and cheap destination..cheers yall
Good info thank you. I'll have to look into El Salvador. A buddy of mine has good things to say about Ecuador as well.
Barry you are the man. France sounds like a neat place to go. I'd like to spend some time in the alps as well. Maybe some day.
Not deeming it a “surf trip”, but my girl and I are booked for Delray, FL in early March. If there’s any wave around I’ll be surfing. If there is surf, it’ll be my first in Florida. Hopefully there’s a little something to ride. Regardless, we are stoked to get away from the cold for a bit.
Hopefully something to ride?? What??!!?? Ride your girlfriend, man!!! What is wrong with you??? Kids today......
its looking like I may be down there too...visiting a friend and getting some warmer water. St Augustine will probably be my dwelling place (I like that little beach town).
This March could be good. PM me when you're down, if Delray is not breaking Jupiter will be for sure, and if you are lucky, Palm Beach could be Great Again.
For sure. Ill be out there the 3rd thru 6th. Anyone know of any decent rental shops in that area? Not flying my sticks down. Might even scope Craigslist or other apps and just resell.
Sometimes Nomad Surf Shop in Briney Breezes (Boynton Beach, on A1A south of Woolbright Rd.) has a decent rental board.
Going to Kona (and hopefully Kauai) mid August with the wife and kids. Using miles so 2 of us go for free (only way we could pull it off). Plan on surfing Kona (banyans?). Plan on renting a log on both big island and hopefully on kauai.
