Remember when surf trips were you, a boardbag, a flight to somewhere you’ve never been before, in accommodation with barely a bed to sleep on? It didn’t matter. Because surfing every day ad infinitum was on the agenda — and that was living back then.
Eventually, you may grow out of that. Get married, have kids. And then your partner may not surf or your kids aren’t interested in taking their first steps in the water. You can’t reasonably expect your family to hole up in the same places as you did way back when. Even if they do surf, there’s a delicate balancing act of finding waves and activities for everyone in accommodation that feels like a holiday rather than beach-ratting it over a week of endless surfs.
Here’s a few surf spots across the globe that can tick all the boxes; accessible surf, plenty to see and a few bits around to keep little non-surfers entertained too.
Waikiki, Oahu
Arguably the best family surf trip on the planet. Waikiki is the spiritual home of surfing, set against year-round warm water temperatures. The waves can be mellow, as an outer reef will take the brunt of a lot of the ocean’s energy and create long, rolling surf that Waikiki’s become famous for. There’s also a lot of convenience around the area too, you can surf as a family in the mid-morning and then explore the surrounds in the afternoon. For the non-surfers, towards the eastern end of the beach, there’s good spots for snorkelling before 10am when the crowds start to stir. For those learning to surf, Waikiki offers a pretty laid back atmosphere, despite the crowds. There’s Populars and Canoes for an easy first time in the water. You can also take in some of the sights of Honolulu like the statue of King Kamehameha or hiking across Diamond Head. The North Shore is only an hour’s drive away too, if you want to watch Pipeline do its thing.
Noosa, Australia
Another top destination for a family vacay. Noosa has a mix of rolling, beginner waves with a welcoming community. The main beach has relatively calm surf, with the Noosa headland sheltered from devil winds and massive swells — and offers a lot of safety for young children or first-time surfers. That’s not to say Noosa never gets big – a cyclone swell can power up the famous right hand point breaks like Tea Tree Bay. If the cyclone is strong enough, it can connect Noosa’s points up – but it’ll take some doing for that to happen. On the regular, it’s a relatively chilled experience that the whole family can enjoy. There’s also more exposed beaches nearby if Noosa’s feeling a bit too small – these spots allow bigger swells to filter in. Away from the surf, there’s afternoon cruises across the region’s everglades or you can hop a boat to go whale watching – it’s all about being outside here.
Biarritz, France
Europe’s birthplace of longboarding, Biarritz has a generous history as a prominent surf town. The Cote des Basques offers a beginner-friendly experience, with long easy-going surf around the low tide. There are also five other beaches around Biarritz, each offering its own distinct flavor. Grande Plage, for example, can be a great shortboard wave, or on a fish, when the right north to northwest swell starts to fill in from the Bay of Biscay. Away from the surf, Biarritz has an exceptional food scene, a mix of French cuisine and Basque dishes. For the young’uns, there’s an aquarium to visit, rock pools at lower tides, and an indoor play park fallback at Luzi-Parc, a short drive away in Saint Jean de Luz. Perfect for a mix of culture and surfing.
Related: 5 Budget Surf Trips That Won’t Break the Bank (Much)
San Sebastian, Spain
San Sebastian is located just around the corner from Biarritz, so if you’re making the journey across the Atlantic, you might as well extend your stay. You can surf in the city, with swells wrapping into an 800-meter beach called Zurriola, facing into the ocean offering a mix of waves — but still relatively protected from the more powerful Atlantic days. After that, there’s pintxos! The region’s famous tapas-style dishes where you can sit in any of the cosy restaurants across the city and fill up. Perfect for your little hungry surfers, or for kids in general. San Sebastian is packed with ancient architecture, seeing as the town was founded back in 1180 by King Sancho VI (the Wise) of Navarre as a strategic seaport. Away from the surf, you can plan a family hike along the old military paths to Castillo de la Mota for exceptional views over the bay. There’s also the Monte Igueldo Amusement Park, a vintage play area on the mountaintops that will keep the kids entertained.
Wave Pools, Global
If you’re a surfing family just looking for consistent conditions – have you considered staying on site at a wave pool? Removing the forecast element won’t be for everyone but for families looking to surf as much as possible, this could be a solution. Places like Atlantic Park have an on-site hotel called The Stitio, with 20 surf-inspired guest rooms. Or, over in Scotland, Lost Shore sits just 20 minutes from Edinburgh, with a range of on-site accommodation for visiting surfers. If barrels in the morning and pints in an ancient pub with lots of family activities in the heart of Edinburgh are more your thing, it’s worth looking into. Meanwhile, in Texas, Waco also offers accommodation for those who want to surf and stay.
Related: Norway’s Endless Day: Surfing Under the Midnight Sun