Surf Road Trip With a Motorhome

Imagine waking up every day on the beach and jumping into the waves at sunrise to surf. Constantly discovering new surf spots and simply travelling where the swell takes you. Travelling with a campervan gives you maximum flexibility during your surfing holiday, so you don’t miss a wave. Find everything you need to know before your first surfing road trip in a campervan or motorhome, where and when you will find good waves and great camping spots in Europe, and what there is to do besides surfing.

3. Camp and Surf Respectfully

With the rapidly increasing number of surfers, especially those travelling in campervans in Europe, it is very important to travel and surf respectfully and take care of nature. At some surf spots, you might come across locals who don’t always welcome newcomers or beginner surfers with open arms. If that happens, it’s a matter of staying friendly and respectful. Some surf spots are for locals only. It is important to respect this decision and remain a spectator. At all other surf spots, it is important to know the right-of-way rules of surfing in the water and also to observe them. As a camper, respectful behaviour also means not disturbing the neighbours at the campsite or littering in nature. If you park and stay overnight at a surf spot, you should leave it exactly as you found it.

5. Use Checklists

If you find it a bit overwhelming to stay on top of everything on your first surf road trip, a checklist will help you. Create a checklist to regularly check the gas, water and electricity supply in the campervan, always hang up your wetsuit and wet things to dry immediately after surfing and never leave a surfboard unsecured next to the campervan at night.

6. Give Support & Seek  Help

Anyone can camp alone, but not everyone should surf alone. Even experienced surfers can get into trouble in the water. If you have little experience, you should definitely seek support. For example, you can sign up for a surf camp and get a surf coach to show you spots and accompany you in the water. Alternatively, you can always team up with your neighbours at the campsite. Talk to other travellers and surfers at every opportunity. Get tips at the campsites and surf spots. Before paddling out to a spot, check the conditions, the current and the type of sea bottom (sand or rocks).

→ Tip: Learn the surfers lingo

Alternatives Activities For Non-Surfers on Surfing Holidays

If you’re planning a surf road trip, you’re naturally looking for the perfect waves, small or big, or beginner-friendly conditions or barrels. But what if your travel buddy doesn’t want to surf? Or what if the surf is flat for a day or two? There’s always something to do, from sightseeing to searching for unusual places to stay overnight to the daily chores that are also part of travelling with a campervan.

There are plenty of other sports or activities for those who don’t want to surf like yoga, pilates or a HIIT workout. All you need is a yoga mat and you can work out or stretch anywhere at any time.

Away from the surf spots, there are often very windy stretches of coastline that are perfect for kiters and windsurfers. If you are spontaneous and flexible, you will find the right alternative sport to surfing for every day and every travel buddy.