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Reducing anything to a top 10 list is difficult.
At best, you get lucky and find a few people who agree with your deep dive. At worst, you piss off a lot of potential clients by not listing their site (sorry!).
The honest truth though? There are just some surf travel blogs that are better than others.
This is no fluke either. I’ve bookmarked the following surf travel blogs because I believe they provide genuinely good information about everything to do with surf trips, surf experiences and the modern surfer.
Or, as is the case with BeachGrit and the Encyclopedia of Surfing, the writing is so damn clever (or crude depending on your sensitivities) that it would be an affront to the surf blog writing scene to leave them out. Of course, things like traffic rank, social media followers and domain authority have also been considered, but at its core, this is simply a list of surf travel blogs that get the blood pumping.
So if you love international surf travel, embarking on a surfing adventure or simply fanging down the coast for a weekend surf trip, these surf travel blogs will only add to your experience.
I hope you enjoy them.
Oh… and feel free to let me know if I’ve left one of your favourites off the list. I’m always on the hunt for new perspectives on surfing that’ll fill up ye ol’ stoke tank.
Plus, I can shave some time off collating next year’s list.
Surf travel blogs worth following
Beachgrit
If you breeze past the shark stories, the tabloid gossip and the overtly sexual writeups, Beachgrit is an absolute goldmine for contest breakdowns, board reviews and fresh thoughts on surfing as both a sport and a lifestyle.
The head writers, Chaz Smith and Derek Reilly, are industry stalwarts. Both have skin in the game but write like nothing is holding them back, which is refreshing. The only thing to note about Beachgrit is that it’s not a website for the faint of heart.
The comment section is an irreverent caca show of the highest order. Rarely accurate, always brutal. It’ll make you laugh and feel like taking a shower at the same time. I love it but I can definitely see how it’s not for everyone.
My advice is to take a peek for yourself.
Just don’t expect any mercy if you do decide to drop a comment.
Lush Palm
Lush Palm is one of the more tasteful surf lifestyle and surf travel blogs around. If you’re looking for information on where to find the best waves, yoga retreats and surf trips, Lush Palm should be your first port of call.
I especially like the way they break down each and every surfing destination, including everything from surf spot recommendations for intermediate surfers to temperatures and local tips. Lush Palm is also easy on the eyes, which definitely helps.
To summarise, I would say that it ranks as a must-visit for ocean minded individuals seeking a website that combines culture, surf trips and style all in one easy-to-navigate place.
RadSeason
RadSeason isn’t a pure surf travel blog.
The brand itself focuses on collating information about festivals and events in the form of blog articles and podcast episodes. But there are still an abundance of cool contest reports, interviews with pro surfers and spot guides for you to check out.
What’s more, the content is centred on surf events and surf-related happenings from around the world, so you’re not just getting access to articles that focus on one country or competition. Instead, you can read all about Germany’s first Olympic surfer, surf trip stories from Australia and news about a surf camp or surf school in Africa.
You’ll broaden your horizons and learn a lot about the individuals and characters who have made or are making up surf culture. Who knows? You might even find yourself booking a festival in a far-flung destination while you’re browsing the RadSeason website.
Lord knows we all deserve to cut loose once things return to normal.
Surfer Magazine
Consider yourself a consumer of all things related to the modern surfer? Then Surfer Magazine is where you need to be.
Established in 1960, the print magazine was one of the original surf mags. It has influenced generations of kids with its insightful editorials and award-winning photography while also being provocative (although it’s definitely skewed more towards the mainstream in the last decade).
That being said, Surfer Magazine is ground zero for articles and interviews that run the gamut of surf culture, whether they be about a surf trip gone wrong, which surf camp is best and how intermediate surfers can improve their skills.
In short, it’s a surfer’s paradise for budding shredders who love to be well informed.
Rapture Surfcamps
Surf camps come in all shapes and sizes.
There are small mum and pop style camps, camps run by surf frothers from the 70s and surf camps with locations all over the world. Rapture Surfcamps fall into the latter category.
They’re about as legit as it comes if you’re after an authentic surf trip experience. Not only do they take care of all the essentials so that you can focus on becoming a better surfer, but they also boast outstanding customer service and regular deals that are perfect for shoestring travellers.
Taking all this into account, it’s no stretch of the imagination to believe that they also boast a dope surf travel blog on their website.
Called “Waves for Days”, this aptly named digital portal focuses on providing surf travel tips and information for beginner and intermediate surfers. Learn how to pick the right surfboard, discover what a genuine travel experience actually is and explore some of the best surf beaches in Indonesia, Central America and Europe.
If you’re hankering for a surf adventure somewhere exotic, somewhere warm, somewhere that will wash away the stress of the last couple of years, Rapture Surfcamps is a good place to start.
I Love The Seaside
I Love The Seaside is for people who really do love the seaside and all of the experiences that it offers.
Published as an online surf travel blog AND as a paperback, these surf travel guides are comprehensive, accurate and most of all… relevant. Seriously, with one of these books in your back pocket or jammed in the side door of your van, you’ll be ready to hit the road and explore practically every surf-kissed country in Europe or Morocco and the Isles.
The aim of these books is to entertain and provide you with a good read, but they’re really informative too. There are pictures, maps and descriptions of what to expect at each destination. So while this may not be a true online surf travel blog, it definitely gets a mention.
Do yourself a favour and pair one of their books with your next surf adventure or yoga retreat. It’ll definitely give you the inside scoop on what to do, where to eat and most importantly, the best places to surf.
Surf Strength Coach
You might know Cris Mills (a.k.a. Surf Strength Coach) as the effervescent, intelligent and flexible fitness coach from those Instagram ads.
I know him from his hyper-educational newsletters and the fact that even though he’s an expert on diet and fitness, I envy him for his persuasive writing skills.
That being said, my favourite part of the Surf Strength Coach website is the blog page. There’s a wealth of well-researched, actionable information on movement for surfers plus a bunch of articles that blow common exercise and nutrition myths out of the water.
Cris, who it must be said surfs pretty bloody good himself, really goes out on a limb to give you the best advice possible when it comes to improving your in-water performance. Very modern, very cutting edge.
I recommend checking out his blogs before you head off on any overseas surf trip for tips on how to ready your body. His programs are also excellent for improving your strength and conditioning through surf-specific movements.
Encyclopedia of Surfing
Last but not least, we have the online tome that is the Encyclopedia of Surfing.
This is a surf travel blog that doesn’t set out to be a surf travel blog. It becomes one through its inspirational stories and highly insightful retellings of past contests, characters and events that have marked the passing of surf history.
Curated and maintained by surf historian and writer, Matt Warshaw, the Encyclopedia of Surfing is a subscription-based website that’s more than worth the price of admission. You can literally type any male or female surfer of note’s name, no matter how obscure they may be, and access various articles, videos or digitised press clippings about their exploits.
As a surfing devotee, I’m a massive fan of the Encyclopedia of Surfing. As a sometimes surf blog writer, I’m a gooey-eyed disciple of Mr Warhsaw’s work.
We are not worthy!
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