Six of the world’s best surfing holidays

Surf’s up, so grab your board and head to one of these amazing surfing retreats. Whether you’re new to surfing or looking for an adrenaline-pumping challenge, we’ve tracked down some of the world’s best places to surf below. 

Surfing has many health benefits – not least the cardio, endurance, and strength boosting effects of the full-body workout you get from swimming, pulling yourself up onto the board and balancing on the waves. Several studies have also highlighted surfing’s positive effect on mental health, linked to the focus and concentration it requires, plus the therapeutic effect of the water. 

What are you waiting for? Read on to choose your surfing holiday from our list of retreats around the world. 

Soultribe Beach Retreat in Siargao, Philippines

Having been named the world’s best island by Conde Nast Traveler in 2019, Siargao is regarded as the surfing capital of the Philippines. The surf and yoga resort Soultribe Beach Retreat showcases the location’s natural beauty gloriously. Expect beautiful cabanas which open onto snowy white beaches, jungle-set villas and a roster of expert surf coaches ready to get you onto the waves – not to mention a rich menu of wellness-focused treatments and activities, including yoga and massages. From the challenging tide at Tuason’s Point to the barrelling tunnels at the Cloud 9 break, die-hard surfers will find a wide range of waves to tackle. Arrive late in the year ready for those south-easterly Pacific swells.

Surflodge Limasan in Bali, Indonesia

Bali is famous for being a surfers’ playground, especially during the drier months of May and September. For a grown-up surfing experience, head to Surflodge Limasan for their luxurious all-inclusive camps. There are surf and yoga retreats for all levels of experience to help you relax and improve your balance, including foundation courses designed by surfing lifestyle brand Ripcurl, and stop-offs at the towering waves at Uluwatu and the endless left-hand breaks at Medewi. The property’s stunning modern lodges, tucked amid lush rice fields, offer respite after a salt and sun-soaked day.

Surf Getaways in Byron Bay, Australia

Ideal for a girls’ trip or the ultimate solo female adventure, this women-only weekend retreat is perfect for improving your surfing game while escaping the stresses of daily life. Not only will you be able to spend time tackling Byron Bay’s wave peaks with veteran female coaches, but also be whisked off to contemporary Australian restaurants and sun-soaked sightseeing spots while staying at the tranquil rainforest villas at Crystalbrook Byron. You can also opt for special packages with guided yoga and meditation workshops and relaxing wellness treatments for an even more rounded experience. Sydney surf season is year-round, though experienced surfers should book a winter retreat for the most exciting swells.

The Headland in Cornwall, England

For one of the best surfing holidays in Europe, head to the southwest British wilderness of Cornwall. Set atop famous surfing hotspot Fistral Beach, The Headland Hotel comprises luxurious clifftop cottages and features the in-house school, Surf Sanctuary, providing a sanctuary for avid adventurers in need of relaxation.  Expect long lines of white-water waves for new surfers and gentle rolling green waves for developing surfers, and plan a visit for summer when a rainbow of surfboards dot the Atlantic Ocean swells.

Anantara Peace Haven Resort in Tangalle, Sri Lanka 

This tranquil resort in Sri Lanka combines the five-star luxury of a private pool villa with the excitement of an emerging surf scene. The resort is partnered with local surf school Tropicsurf, and the less ferocious waves and year-long surf season of Anantara’s nearby lagoon make it an ideal place for beginners to learn. For more adventure, add on a road trip along Sri Lanka’s southern coast in search of the best waves and sightseeing spots, or unwind with an Ayurvedic healing treatment at the Sanjeewana spa.

The Cali Camp, Greater Los Angeles, US

Cali is synonymous with surfing, dude. Take part in intimate surf sessions with friends up and down the knockout Californian coast on a retreat designed for small groups, giving you as much time on the waves as possible. As well as two surf sessions daily, The Cali Camp also offers exciting add-on experiences, from whale-spotting trips to shopping tours and skydiving sessions. Yoga classes and healing massages are also on offer to help you surf longer and feel better. You’ll stay at the Dana Point Marina Inn, a property just five minutes from the beach, and guides who live and breathe the SoCal life will locate ocean conditions matched to your level of experience. Choose a late-summer stay to catch beautiful offshore walls and barrels.

Whether your adventure involves tube riding on giant swells or learning to stand on a board for the first time, make sure you’re prepared for everything the waves have in store with our partnered Chubb Premier Travel Cover . Until 30 June, earn HKD1 = 1 when you enrol on a new plan.

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