Updated on 12 September 2024
The temperature is dropping and the days are getting shorter; winter is looming and we’re doing our best to embrace the cooler water and change of seasons. But what’s bound to keep you feeling the sunny glow throughout the winter months is booking a surfing holiday somewhere warm. Somewhere to shed the 5mm of neoprene, where you can come together as a family and have fun riding the waves and exploring somewhere new.
Whether you’re booking a Christmas holiday, a February half-term break, or something in between, here’s our top winter surfing destinations the whole family will love.
Barbados
Best for: First time family surf trippers
If you’re looking for easy-peasy barefoot beach life, we’d recommend Barbados for a foray into family surfing holidays. All ages from tots to teens and grown-ups to grandparents will slip into the tropical vibes of this laidback, palm-fringed island hemmed with waves and white-sand beaches. Whether you’re surfing Slater’s favourite, Soup Bowl, or catching family-friendly peelers with the sea turtles at Freights, you’re never far from a waterpark or beach bar where you can fuel up on Caribbean or Western cuisine and log onto the wifi.
Where to stay in Barbados:
We love Rostrevor Hotel for its great value and beachfront location, within easy reach of the best South Coast surf breaks in Barbados. All rooms come with self-catering kitchen facilities, which is ideal when you’ve got a hungry tribe in tow. If you’re looking for inspiration, read about our winter family surf experience in Barbados here.
SRI LANKA
Best for: Warm waves and exotic cultural experiences
Combine surfing, culture and chilled vibes on a family surfing holiday to this teardrop island in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka has lured us back time and time again with its mellow waves, tropical beaches and warm family welcome, teamed with temples, train rides and tea plantations. We love visiting the Southern Province between November and April, when offshores groom a mix of reef and beach breaks, backed by stylish accommodation where you can yo-yo between the surf and the shade.
Where to stay in Sri Lanka:
How about a family-friendly retreat right next to an intermediate reef break, where you can take surfing lessons with a private instructor, try yoga on the terrace and tuck into seafood feasts? With Ayurvedic massages, a swimming pool, movie nights and a front-row view of the surf, it’s tempting to stay put with a cocktail at Lion’s Rest, but your tuk-tuk driver is ready to take you on tour whenever you can wrench yourself away.
COSTA RICA
Best for: Waves, wildlife and luxury
If you’ve got the time and budget for an all-out bells and whistles type surfing holiday in winter, then Costa Rica is the place to head to. This family-friendly paradise boasts waves and wildlife, offering a back-to-nature surfing experience from the lap of eco-luxury. So, whether you want to surf from dawn to dusk, head off on intrepid rainforest adventures or laze in the sun like the resident iguanas, you’re in for an absolute treat.
Where to stay in Costa Rica:
Kick off your shoes at the Sunset Shack in Nosara, where you can pad to the surf, put your feet up by the pool and enjoy some time out while the kids head off on eco adventures with qualified childminders. Packed with simple luxuries, it’s the perfect base for your family surfing holiday. Read all about our family surfing experience in Costa Rica on our blog.
PORTUGAL
Best for: Budget family surfing holidays in winter
Portugal for winter? No, we’re not kidding. If you’re looking for a winter surfing holiday in Europe, and don’t have the time and money for long-haul travel, then hop on a cheap flight to Portugal and head to Sagres. While you’ll still need to pack a wetsuit, in winter the Mediterranean climate hovers well above that of the UK, the waves are quiet and there are plenty of sheltered spots to find along the south coast of the Algarve. Plus, the cuisine is fresh, delicious and affordable.
Where to stay in Portugal:
Bag a bargain winter stay at the boutique Memmo Baleeira hotel in Sagres, where you have all the onsite amenities of an indoor pool and spa, yoga, gym and bike hire, as well as a surf school that will take you to the best local beaches for your ability.
NICARAGUA
Best for: Rugged beaches and an all-inclusive surfing adventure
A little wilder than its neighbour of Costa Rica, Nicaragua pushes a family surfing adventure one step further with its rugged beaches, more challenging surf spots and rich Latin American culture. Pack your surfboards and a few words of Spanish, and brace yourself for world-class waves, delicious local cuisine and boutique surf resorts that will provide everything you need from surf lessons and guiding, to yoga, horse-riding and jungle adventures. So you won’t have to lift a finger.
Where to stay in Nicaragua:
Escape to the boutique Malibu Popoyo surf lodge, where surfing, food and yoga is all included as part of a luxurious and adventurous lifestyle. Challenge yourself on world-class reef breaks, learn to surf on the beach breaks, or simply chill out by the pool with a cocktail in hand.
Other winter destinations on our radar and coming soon to our collection include Morocco, the Canary Islands and the Maldives. Book your surfing holiday direct with the best family surfing accommodation in the world, and stay posted for more winter surfing inspiration soon.
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