Surf, Sun, and Monkeys

Surfing South East Asia- Tips

Tropical vibes, rolling waves, and experiences you could only dream of; this is what awaits you in South East Asia. Over the summer I went to several countries in the pacific and instantly fell in love. Everything from the culture, people, food, and surf made me fall head over heels. I won’t pretend like I’m an expert traveler (or surfer), but I did learns some tips during this trip that I wish I knew beforehand. So, if you are planning to surf during your upcoming holiday, here are some tips that might help you save money and your sanity.

Surfing in Thailand

Bali probably comes to your mind first when you think of surfing in South East Asia, and for good reason. Perfect conditions, consistent surf, and amazing food; what else could you ask for? After visiting only a couple places in Pacific, I can tell you there are so many hidden gems that could compare or even outdo Bali. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed Bali, but to be completely honest, I was underwhelmed due to all the hype prior to my trip. Most spots in South West of Bali like Kuta, Pandang, and Canggu are highly populated with tourists, locals, and hundreds of surf camper members . If you want less crowded surf breaks and a more authentic vibe, I highly recommend you do a little bit more research before booking your ticket. Try checking out more remote sides of the islands or neighboring islands to popular destinations. There are plenty of places (even within Indonesia) that provide more authentic cultural experiences. Yes, these places might be a little bit harder to get to, but trust me its worth it.

Perfect conditions in the Philippines.

To bring a board or to not bring a board; that is the question. This was my biggest conflict during this trip. Because I was going to multiple countries with many different flights, I couldn’t decide on whether I should bring my board with me or just buy/rent on arrival. What I came to realize, is that it completely depends on where you are going, if you have multiple destinations, and the length of time at each destination. If you plan going to a more remote destinations that's more off grid, you most definitely need to bring a board with you. Surf shops are pretty scant in places like Bengkulu, Indonesia. I found that even in Bali, where there a hundreds of surf shops, the prices for boards both used and unused, are pretty pricey and mostly likely not top quality. Unless you are really good at haggling over prices, I suggest bring a board to Bali. If you plan to go to multiple destinations and not all of them are surf oriented destinations, it might be easier and cheaper to rent or buy when you get there. Before heading to Thailand I stayed in Australia for a month. During this time bought a used board and sold it before leaving for Thailand. I wasn’t able to acquire all the money back from selling it, but I can imagine it was a lot cheaper than renting a board for a month.

Surf, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Dorm room in the Philippines.

Surf, eat, sleep and repeat. Planning out accommodation can be one of the most stressful parts of traveling. You don’t want to plan too far in advance incase plans fall through or change, but you also don’t want to wait till last minute and end up homeless due to fully booked hotels and hostels. The Golden Rule is to have the next three nights planned out, but nothing beyond that. If you find you don’t like the location or place you are at its only three nights. If you end up really enjoying the it, ask the hotel or hostel to extend your stay. Typically hotels and hostels are pricier the closer to the water they are located, but sometimes it's worth the extra cash. Transportation can be expensive and traveling with a surf board can be difficult. If you really can't find anything within walking distance that is in your price range, some hostels and hotels provide mopeds or even bicycles for rent. Just remember to check for license requirements of the country you intend on staying at and always wear a helmet!

Traveling alone or first time surfing? Surf camps are the best for these situations. Though I already know how to surf a bit, I decided to join surf camps while I was abroad. Let me tell you, it was the best investment of the whole trip. Not only are you brought to surf twice a day, but you are in a group of people from all over the world. This a great way to meet new people and really improve your surfing. Paddling out in a foreign country can be really intimidating, especially if you are by yourself. Surf camps are a great way to learn about the spots and how to paddle out. Both in Indonesia and the Philippines the camps instructors were locals, so they knew the spots the best and how to surf them. During my time in these camps, I became a more confident surfer, learned about new cultures, and had a lot of fun meeting new people. Check out https://www.booksurfcamps.com/ to find a surf camp that fits your budget and in the location you want. #notsponsored

Surfing and traveling is so much fun, but it can totally be intimidating and sometimes overwhelming when planning. These are just some tips that can help point you in the right direction in planning your next surf trip. Just remember if things don’t go exactly how you planned, its okay. Just try to go with the flow and always trust your intuition. Be safe, be humble, and always be curious. One last piece of advice I could give you is whatever you do, do not feed the monkeys.

Leave your tips and questions about surfing abroad below in the comments below!