Relationships can be tough…on the surf trip itinerary, that is. If you’re lucky enough to find somebody with the same passion for surfing you should consider yourself lucky. Suddenly a whole new world opens up when vacation planning time becomes a team effort in pursuit of warm water barrels. But if you have different comfort and ability levels things can get tricky. There are so many things to consider. From finding waves you’re both comfortable in and can still enjoy together to going somewhere you can still do relationshipy romantic stuff. But of course, you’re a surfer. And no trip feels right unless you know you can get some quality waves.
Yes, we’re a picky and demanding bunch. So here’s a solid little Caribbean getaway that could actually fulfill our laundry list of demands for both parties in this relationship. Dig in for the five reasons you two are headed to the Dominican Republic for the best surf trip a couple could take:
1) It’s beautiful and there’s tons of non-surf things to do.
If you’re taking a couple’s or a family surf trip, a beautiful landscape is a must. White sandy beaches and romance are synonymous. Now when you start giving us clear warm water you’re really scoring some points. But on top of that, non surf activities are another must when planning a trip for somebody other than yourself. Yes, this is a perfect trip for the surf obsessed, but that doesn’t mean you have to force yourself into a situation where you’re catching waves sun up to sun down. Ziplining, snorkeling, scuba diving and waterfall tours are all regular activities around the DR. This is the perfect place to take advantage of some opportunities for quality time without sacrificing the hunt for good waves.
2) The flights are actually affordable.
Getting to your destination and back is a huge chunk of the equation, and it can either make or break how likely you are to pull the trigger when you only have to book one ticket. Now that you’re booking for two (or more), cost is a serious deal breaker.
There are plenty of options to choose from but just as an example, you can book a round trip ticket from Los Angeles to Puerto Plata for less than $650 right now. Heck, if you’re leaving from Miami you’ll pay the same thing for flights booked only a week in advance. That’s not a bad deal for any surf trip.
3) There are great beginner waves
The Caribbean gets waves year round, so this is a plus for every level of surfer. But beginners in particular need the right environment to not only catch good waves, but also have enough fun that they’ll want to keep surfing. Guests that book trips with WaterWays Surf Adventures actually have access to ISA certified surf instructors, which makes for the perfect opportunity to get quality instruction on your trip. This is a major plus for the experienced surfer, as you’ve just upped the chances of your main squeeze getting on board with this whole surfing fiasco.
4) You can actually get a wave to yourself!
The island of Hispanola is at the end of the Bahamas chain, helping it pick up a lot of uninterrupted energy from swells. And with a lot of coastline that means there are a lot of waves to seek out – 800 miles worth of waves, to be exact.
Yes, there are locals and there are other visiting surfers. But with so much coast and only so many people on this side of the island you’re bound to run into a chunk of empty waves. The northern side of the island is hit with swell in the fall and through the winter. But winds tend to make conditions tricky, so a little exploring is necessary when hunting for the best waves this time of year. The south coast comes alive in the spring and into summer while the winds slow down up north. Either way there’s still a lot of coast to search, so guides are an easy and reliable tool to get you to and from quality waves that you’ll have to yourself. And nothing beats a surf trip with quality waves with nobody else around.
5) And you will have time to relax…because vacations are supposed to be relaxing.
Surf trips, in the traditional sense, aren’t always the most relaxing occasions. If you rough it in some remote place you can go weeks without a shower. And some locations around the world will cost you a pretty penny if you want to live in the lap of luxury for a few days. There are actually some beautiful cabanas in the gated community of Perla Marina that would make you think you’re staying in a tropical palace. Sprinkle in a yoga temple to throw into your daily routine, and send your loved one off for a day at their spa while you head back out for more waves.
It’s kind of a perfectly guilt free surf trip when you look at it like that. Relationship goals, indeed.
