If you dont wake up every single morning and feverishly scour the surf reports, or run your eye over the waves (if youre lucky enough to have a sea view), then you havent surfed yet!
You havent had that exhilarating ride on your first wave, you havent wiped out with a huge sense of achievement and you probably havent even perfected the sun-kissed, laid-back look that works in combination with complicated handshakes, whenever you greet someone you know. Lucky you. You have all that still to come!
Hailed for all time as the coolest sport in the world, surfing requires limited equipment and access to a coastline. As with all water sports, its more pleasant if it takes place in a sea thats warmer than the waters around Britain! Here at Aspen Travel we work with a number of resorts that include surfboard hire and surf tuition as part of their all-inclusive packages.
At these resorts, you can learn the surfing basics from professional coaches and then develop your skills until youre hanging ten with the best of them; all of this while you enjoy sunshine, gourmet food, spacious and well-equipped rooms, as well as the opportunity to distract yourself with all the other leisure activities also included in your package. A word of warning though; surfing is addictive! Try and it once you may well be hooked. On the plus side it will keep you healthy, fit and relaxed.
Viewing the land from the ocean really gives you a sense of the magnitude of nature and just how insignificant your problems are in the grand scheme of things. Fancy coming back from holiday, with a whole new positive perspective on life? Then read on to find out more about some of the best surf destinations in the world, as well as the tour operators who will take you there.
8. Gold Coast, Australia
The east coast of Australia is surf central. Local towns are geared up to give you everything you need from wetsuits (if you even need one the waters a lot warmer than here) to a refreshing and comforting smoothie after youve wiped out for 10th There are four point breaks, giving you a longer ride. Whether youre an experienced surfer, looking for a new ride, or youre yet to step on foot on a board, you can expect to be challenged and experience a full adrenalin rush. If youd like to combine an Antipodean surf tour with an escorted tour of Australias big cities; Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a trip to Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef, thats all entirely feasible. Give us a call to find out more.
7. Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
Off the Eastern Cape, youll experience intense point breaks and a shoreline that consists of numerous blue flag beaches. This is an exhilarating surf holiday destination for novice and seasoned surfers, with some beautiful landmarks nearby to explore. When youre not surfing, you can climb the iconic Table Mountain, just outside of Cape Town, take a tour of the South African wine growing regions; Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and enjoy a game drive in the continents safari areas. See the Big 5 in their natural habitats, under a huge African moon!
6. Lima, Peru
Not the first city that springs to the minds of new surfers, but the waves that break off the pebbled beaches here can reach a metre high and are among some of the best waves in South America. While youre here, it would be a shame not to make the most of nearby attractions. The Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco and the lost city of Machu Picchu are both stunning wonders of the world and can easily be shoehorned into a trip to Lima, giving you one of the most memorable holidays ever! Of course, youre not too far from the rainforests here either and just a short flight away from some of the most varied and interesting species of wildlife in the world.
5. Black’s Beach, California
The Beach Boys sang about the legendary waves along the Californian coastline and in the same way everyone associates the image of Santa Claus with the guy who appeared in the Coca Cola adverts, California has sold an image of the surfing lifestyle around the world. The laid back, long haired dude with no worries, except for riding the perfect wave and looking cool doing it, originated here. Black Beach is widely believed to be one of the best surfing beaches in the whole of the USA. Additionally, if you want to make more of your trip to North Americas west coast, its possible to take a tour of the Californian winelands, visit the star-studded cities of LA and Las Vegas, as well as pay homage to a hundred American road movies as you stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
4. The Bubble, Fuerteventura
Perhaps more commonly; associated with windsurfing, the Canary Islands lie off the west coast of Africa and have sunshine all year round. The best months to catch waves off the lava-infused black sand beaches here are between October and March. Fuerteventura is a windswept island paradise, consisting of sand dunes and a myriad of tourist destinations. While youre here, you might want to visit the other major islands. Tenerife is widely regarded as having the liveliest nightlife, while Gran Canaria offers quieter, more relaxed entertainments. The volcano national park, known as Timanfaya on the island of Lanzarote is an eerily spectacular sight that will stay with you forever.
3. Joe’s Point, Oman
Oman is fast becoming a buzzword in the travel industry for a number of different reasons. Its year-round sunshine is a bonus, as are its fascinating ancient monuments. Out of the tourist areas, youll find palm-lined oases, picturesque mountainsides and fruit trees. Within the tourist areas, you can expect accommodation of an exceedingly high standard, sandwiched between the mountains and ocean, offering a huge menu of leisure pursuits. Fancy catching a wave in the Indian Ocean off Oman to catch a great view of the desert from the sea? The sandbar is exceptional for long rides.
2. Tofino, Vancouver Island
Surrounded by rainforest, this beach can get a little chilly during the winter months, but dont let that distract you from the quality of the waves here. For the intrepid adventurer, who wants to experience both lives in the waves and on the mountaintops, you could combine your surf holiday with a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer train. This journey will take you through the peaks of Alberta and Calgary, including Mount Robson, Jasper and Whistler. Youll doubtless see some incredible wildlife and views that will take your breath away.
1. Newquay, Cornwall
A great surfing holiday doesnt have to be a long haul flight away. We have some excellent surfing waves and culture in the far South West. Newquay has long been known as a paradise for surfers, but as with the rest of Britain, the weathers unpredictable. The waves however, are more reliable. Theyre so reliable in fact, that plenty of surfing competitions are held here. Nearby towns are geared up to provide visitors to the area with everything they need for the perfect surf trip.
Aspen Travel is a trusted booking partner for a number of internationally respected tour operators. We work with Cox and Kings, Great Rail Journeys, Wendy Wu Tours, Intrepid Travel and Travelsphere to name just a few. Its also worth mentioning that we work closely with both Club Med and Mark Warner holidays; both of whom offer surfing as part of their watersports packages.
To find out where in the world you could learn to surf, or develop your skills, please get in touch with the Aspen Travel team. We have been booking surf holidays for many years and will be able to provide a recommendation that suits both your budget and travel preferences.
