So you think you want a surf retreat?

This week’s word of the week is more of a concept than surflingo, but it’s important to understand its meaning all the same—because it could mean the difference between having the surf vacation of a lifetime or being miserable for a week. Let’s talk “a surf retreat”.

🌍 Surf travel, then and now

Traveling to surf is nothing new. Agatha Christie didn’t necessarily set out on the Grand Tour to surf specifically in 1922, but she still managed to hit two surf spots—Muizenberg and Waikiki—on a single trip.

In the ’50s, the concept of a surf safari was born, when American and Australian surfers started exploring Mexico, Hawaii, and Indonesia in search of waves. You know the picture: wild, dusty road trips with boards strapped to the roof and no plan other than “find waves.” Very little structure, and a lot of geographical exploration.

🌀 Surf culture meets wellness culture

Fast forward a few decades, and surfing has gone mainstream. I remember when Blue Crush came out in 2002, and suddenly there were Roxy ads everywhere.

Around the same time, the wellness wave hit. Everyone had gone gaga for yoga and self-development. Whole Foods became a thing. It was only a matter of time before someone thought to combine the two—and package it neatly as a surf retreat.

🧘‍♀️ So what is a surf retreat?

What is it, then? For the purposes of enriching your surf vocabulary: a surf retreat is a surf vacation with structure.

Instead of just booking a hotel and finding your own waves, you’re joining a program: lessons, accommodations, food, maybe some yoga, maybe some journaling, maybe some other wellness-forward activity.

🗺️ Where surf retreats happen

Typically, a surf retreat takes place in regions where no wetsuit is required—Central America, Indonesia, Sri Lanka—but you can also find them in Morocco and Europe if you look hard enough.

❓ Are you a surf retreat person?

The biggest question you should be asking yourself before booking a surf retreat vacation is: Are you a surf retreat type of person? Because the biggest difference between a surf trip—or even a surf camp—and a surf retreat is that a retreat involves a lot more activities in addition to surfing.

Personally, I went through the motions of swearing off ever considering a surf retreat to a “maybe.”

If you’d like to learn what it’s like to be on a surf retreat, what a typical day looks like, and what should be deciding factors when picking between surf retreats—Nikki Nie has all the answers for you.

But wait…there’s a quiz for it!

🏄‍♀️ Are you a surf retreat kind of surfer???

Let’s find out if you’re the kind of surfer who can handle a surf retreat.

1. Your dream surf session starts with:

A. Sunrise yoga and a light smoothie bowl
B. Coffee and wax melting in the car
C. Rolling out of bed and sprinting to the break

2. You’ve just surfed for two hours. What’s next?

A. A deep-tissue massage, obviously
B. A cheap taco and surf check for round two
C. Napping in my wetsuit on the sand

3. How do you feel about group activities?

A. Love them! Sign me up for cacao ceremonies and group journaling
B. I’ll join… if it doesn’t clash with good swell
C. No thanks, I barely like people in the lineup

4. When you pack for a surf trip, what’s in your bag?

A. Reef-safe sunscreen, linen sets, a waterproof gratitude journal
B. Extra wax, zinc, duct tape, and earplugs
C. I borrow everything when I get there

5. The idea of a surf coach video-analyzing your pop-up:

A. Yes please—can they also do a voiceover with affirmations?
B. Only if they don’t roast me too hard
C. Nah. Let the ocean judge me

6. What’s your vibe when booking a surf trip?

A. Retreat site. Reviews. WhatsApp group chat with the other guests.
B. Google Flights, Surfline, done.
C. Wait… I thought we were just crashing in the van again?

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Results 🧘‍♀️🌮🏄‍♂️

Mostly As: Retreat Royalty

You’re all about that curated surf life—give you a week of sunrise stretching, two-wave max outs, and a kombucha bar, and you’re in heaven. Surf retreats were made for you.

Mostly Bs: The Hybrid Hero

You like a bit of structure and a lot of surf. You might dip into a retreat, but only if there’s free time to chase uncrowded breaks and ditch group circle time.

Mostly Cs: The Free Ranger

You’re allergic to itineraries. Retreat? Nah. You’re more of a surf safari soul, chasing swell, camping rough, and eating crackers out of a board bag. And you love it.