Surf Resort : 5 Things to Look for
Google ‘surf accommodation’ and watch as thousands of results pop up, with everything from 5 star surf resorts with monogrammed bathrobes and room service for your pets, to a shitty back room of someone’s house that’s too small to open your suitcase in. So how do you choose the surf stay that’s right for you?
Choosing the Right Surf Accommodation
Having done a fair bit of surf traveling, we’ve had a few hit & misses in choosing the best place to stay. Choosing the right surf resort or accommodation can mean the difference between ‘the best surf trip of my life’, and ‘the waves were good, but…’.
We’ve come up with a list of the top five things to look out for when choosing your surf resort or house.
1. The facilities
Imagine this: you’re in Siargao, Philippines in the middle of their tropical Summer. You arrive at your accommodation after a full-on day of surfing and head straight for the shower. You switch on the tap, and the shower head falls off (literally – it fell off). Once the owner has ‘fixed’ the shower head & you’ve had your unsatisfying low-pressure cold shower, you decide it’s time for a midday siesta.
Problem is, your bed in covered in hundreds of ants. There’s more to the story, but we don’t want to scare you too much.
Suffice it to say, the facilities are very important when choosing your surf resort or accommodation.
Look out for things like comfortable bedding, airconditioning or fans, enough space in your room, clean bathrooms, a comfortable chill area, good wifi and easily accessible plug-points.
2. The people & the vibe
There’s nothing worse than paying to stay somewhere, and feeling as if you’re intruding once you’re there. Choose a place to stay that has friendly, welcoming staff and patrons. Look for people with a laid-back and happy vibe, and you’ll leave your holiday having gained a few mates.
3. The location
We think this one probably goes without saying- but we thought we’d include it just in case. Choose a surf stay that is located near waves that actually work during the time of your stay. In most untouched gems of the world, it’s not always easy to find the right wave on the right day. Try to find a place to stay with a surf guide, so you don’t waste your time looking in the wrong places.
Another thing to keep in mind, is how easy your surf resort is to get to. Is there a shuttle facility that can escort you from the airport to your accommodation?
4. Non-surf activities
Although we’d all like to believe that there will be pumping, all-time waves every single day of our surf trip- the reality is that the Surf Gods might have other plans. What activities are available for days when the surf conditions don’t align? Look for a place that offers authentic, exciting and affordable non-surf activities for your off days.
See our optional authentic African experience add-ons here
5. The price
Consider how much money you would want to pay for your accommodation. You should factor in how long you plan on staying, and if there’s an option to extend your stay should you need to. Have a look into extra fees or hidden charges that might inflate your expenses on accommodation.
Basically, it’s about finding a place that makes your stay as easy, comfortable & memorable as possible. We believe a South African surf trip should be about uncrowded line-ups, endless barrels, unforgettable landscapes, untouched wildlife, authentic African experiences, good coffee, wholesome food, and a comfortable place to rest your head at the end of the day.
We take the hassle out of planning a surf trip, leaving you to focus on the stoke.
