LUEX’s CEO and his son Moritz checking out the surf.
Despite the oft-used proverb, a family doesn’t have to be a ball and chain keeping you from the waves! Combining a surf trip with a family holiday is an art, but when you get the hang of it, it can lead to some of the best trips you’ll ever make!
When you hear that patter of little feet for the first time you know life will never be the same again; but that’s no excuse to give up your hard-earned surf trips. Many surf destinations are actually ideal for family holidays — you just need to find a place where everyone has something fun to do, whether that’s surfing, building sand castles, or sipping cocktails on the beach while reading the latest Jilly Cooper novel.
Take the advice of the experts at LUEX Travel, and forget wasting precious holiday time in swell-less hellholes when you could be surfing your brains out while the entire family has a ball!
The Key Factors of the Perfect Family Surf Trip
There are some key factors you need to consider for a successful family trip, and you need a destination that combines as many of them as possible. These factors fit into three main categories: the surfer’s needs, the non-surfer’s needs, and the kids’ needs.
LUEX’S CEO Tim getting barreled on a family trip to J-Bay
Surfing Parent’s Needs:
On the face of it, your needs are pretty straightforward: good surf. It’s not quite that simple though, as the rest of the family won’t be too happy if you spend the whole time chasing waves and are never around. You have to make surfing as time-efficient as possible: find a destination with consistent, quality swell so you can plan your sessions ahead (rather than spontaneously dropping everything when the waves start working), and ideally one with several nearby spots with different exposures to choose from, preferably including some wind-protected and tide-independent spots. Stay as close to the break as you can, as the less time you spend travelling, the more you get in the water per session; preferably you want to actually be able to see the waves from your accommodation, so you don’t waste additional time checking conditions. The cherry on the top is warm, tropical water: not only is surfing just in board shorts simply more fun, but changing in/out of wetsuits again cuts into your actual surfing time.
A little romance goes a long way, and White Peal Resort in Mozambique has it in spades!
Non-Surfing Parent’s Needs:
Obviously these will depend a lot on what your non-surfing parent likes to do, but we can generalize a bit: romantic resorts with good restaurants, spa facilities, yoga classes, swimming pools, and pretty beaches are usually a hit. For the more adventurous, look for a destination with plenty of sporty activities, like horse riding, snorkeling, scuba diving, etc. If you can combine all these things with a nice resort or hotel that’s a pleasure to spend time in, in close proximity to the break and children’s’ facilities, you’re onto a winner. Some form of crèche or childcare can be useful too.
With all this training Moritz is going to grow up to be a real ripper!
Children’s Needs:
The most basic requirement for kids is a nice sandy beach to play on. Who can build (and then jump on) the biggest sandcastle is an essential summer holiday rite of passage. You need somewhere warm enough to hang out in swimwear without getting cold, and protected from the wind to avoid stinging sand-grains getting blown into little eyes. A beach with some calm or protected water is also essential. Dumping shore beak isn’t an ideal place to learn to swim! Good quality medical facilities nearby are an absolute must, and similarly, the fewer vaccinations needed the better!
Accommodation needs depend a little bit on the age of your kids, but safety is paramount. A fenced or contained resort will limit how far they can wander, and you want to avoid staying to close to any roads. With younger kids you may also want to avoid places with too many sets of stairs, though kids clubs and activity groups – or even better surf lessons! – can be a brilliant fun and a great way to make new friends. You should also consider the policy at meal times. Are kids welcome to eat with adults, or do they have special earlier meal times? Does that fit with your preferences regarding quality family time vs romantic time?
Travelling is likely to be the most stressful part of any family trip, but with a bit of thought you can mitigate that too. Logically, the shorter the flight the better, and ideally you want to fly direct rather than mess around with lots of connections (LUEX has some tools to check flight routes and airline baggage policies). Don’t forget to factor in the transfer from the airport too. Normally a taxi or private minibus will be a lot more relaxed than public transport.
Top Family Surf Destinations
There are great family surf destinations all over the world, but bearing in mind the above advice about travel times, the top choice for you depends on where exactly you live! Our top picks include…
4 Seasons Kuda Huraa in the Maldives ticks all the family surf trip boxes.
Maldives: 4 Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa
4 Seasons Kuda Huraa is full of family appeal – from Family Beach Bungalows to pioneering kids activities, lagoon surf lessons and diving courses, interactive conservation opportunities, and thoughtful amenities, there’s something for everyone, all wrapped up in the tropical perfection, consistent swell and warm water of the Maldives. In addition to a range of age-specific activities (from coral reef building to dolphin cruises), there are also specially priced – or even free – meals for kids, and children up to 12 years can stay in their parents’ rooms for free.
Kids love the beach at Martinhal, Portugal!
Portugal: Martinhal
Guest facilities and leisure options at Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel are designed with families in mind, but adults can take advantage of the resort’s wealth of amenities too. For the active, Martinhal is a playground of possibilities. If you are looking to unwind in more active ways, try one of the leisure activities from the Pick & Choose programme: a wide range of complimentary and paid activities ranging from dolphin watching and bike tours through the beautiful Natural park, to pilates and yoga lessons.
Even better, you’re right in the middle of Portugal’s Algarve, a year round surf destination with a huge selection of waves, warm water, and solid Atlantic swell.
Central American surf is perfect for training up the next generation! ©Red Bull Media House
Nicaragua: Las Plumerias
Las Plumerias is a family run resort, with several private bungalows and cabanas. It’s an ideal set up for families: the hosts know exactly what everyone needs, and the wide range of activities will keep everyone entertained: you can go horse riding on the beach or in the jungle to look for monkeys, learn to fish and bake bread, watch turtles, visit hot spring pools, go snorkeling or get a massage.
In terms of surf, you’re spoilt for choice: perfectly situated in Central America, Las Plumerias picks up lots of swell, and gets an average of 330 offshore days a year. There are more than 12 spots to choose from, including beachies, reefs and point breaks.
Birds eye view of WHite Peal Resort in Mozambique – good surf, beautiful beach, warm, blue water… What more does your family need?
Mozambique: White Pearl Resort
White Pearl Resort is ideal for families, and a real slice of luxury, mixed with a dollop of African adventure and more than a little romance. They have a great “Kids Skipper Club” that will keep the little ones occupied for hours: guided by the resort’s experienced activity team, the programme is filled with fun, educational activities that encourage children to explore the mysteries and wonders of Mozambique, from beach sports and sandcastle building to baking with the chef and treasure hunting.
The surf is excellent, with long sand-bottomed point breaks galore. Surfers of all levels can enjoy the waves at Ponta Mamoli, White Pearl’s private beach. More experienced can also get into some more powerful surf at Ponta do Ouro, one of the world’s most perfect waves, and comparable to J-Bay without the crowds. Other activities include reef diving, ocean safaris, snorkelling, horse riding and turtle watching – there’s really something for everyone.
For more family destination ideas, check out this article on LUEX.
