What to Pack? Surf Trip Essentials

As surfers, there are few things better than escaping the daily grind of work for a surf trip to an exotic and tropical location. Whether heading out on a strike mission over a long weekend or a month-long surf sabbatical, packing properly for your adventure can make or break your trip. In this surfing trip packing list, we will outline the most essential gear a surfer should pack when planning a surf trip, and then, if you still have a bit of room, we’ll highlight a few of those luxury items that are nice to have.

There are numerous factors to consider when packing for a surf trip that will dictate what to bring and what to leave at home. These factors include the length of your trip and the climate of the region you are visiting. What kind of surf will you be encountering? Are you going to bring your own boards? Obviously, packing for a cold water/weather destination is different from packing for a tropical vacation. These are all vital details of a trip that require your attention and consideration before booking your surf mission.

If you are here just for the printable surf trip packing list, it's listed at the bottom of the blog and in the button below. 

Jump to Section

Pre-Packing - Everything to do before leaving
Surf Trip Essentials - The must-haves for any surf trip
Non-Surfing Essentials - All the little things necessary for a trip
Worth Consideration - The "luxury" items if you still have space
Surf Trip Packing Checklist

Pre-Packing Checklist

The following items should be acquired before you even begin packing.

PASSPORT: Obviously, this only applies to surf trips outside of the country. Your passport is the most important thing to have at all times. You could forget everything else on the list and still make it to your destination and score waves. However, when traveling internationally, not having a passport means not being able to get on the plane. It's worth checking before you book your trip to make sure that your passport hasn't expired or isn't going to expire anytime soon. Some countries like Indonesia, for example, require that your passport does not expire up to 6 months before you leave for your trip.

AIRLINE TICKET: This is an obvious one that I highly recommend doing your due diligence on, especially when traveling with your own surfboards. Oversized Baggage fees vary greatly depending on the airline. You may score a cheap airfare ticket only to find that they charge $150 per board each way (China Airlines). That’s an extra $900 if you were to bring 3 boards. Some airlines are surfer-friendly and allow surfboards to be counted as your checked baggage (Singapore Airlines). Doing your research can save you headaches and heartbreak at the ticketing counter.

*PRO TIP: Airline Baggage Fees for Surfboards

TRAVEL INSURANCE: I highly recommend travel insurance for longer trips, especially in remote destinations. Often, the best surf lies in remote areas that may not have the health care infrastructure we are accustomed to in the US. The cost usually runs around 5% of the total cost of your flight. You probably won’t have to use it. However, if you hit your head on the reef and need to be evacuated to civilization, it will be covered.

TOURIST CARD OR VISA: If staying for a couple of weeks, you will most likely need a tourist card, which is handed out by flight attendants upon arrival at your final destination. Hold onto it and present it when you leave the country. If you're staying 3+ weeks, you might need to apply for a visa, and if you plan to stay for a few months, the host country may require an extended visa. It's highly recommended you do your research ahead of time and see what your destination country requires.

NOTIFY BANK: Let your bank know the dates and destination you’ll be traveling. If you don’t, there is a good chance they will freeze your card, thinking all those Bintang purchases in Bali were fraudulent.

Surf Trip Essentials Packing List

These are the “must-pack” items that no surf trip would be complete without.

SURFBOARD BAG: I list board bags above surfboards in terms of importance when traveling abroad for two reasons. The first is your surfboard's availability, which is dependent on your board bag’s reliability and durability. Airport workers aren't always gentle with bulky luggage. Secondly, your board bag can double as a suitcase for many other items on this list, especially if you are traveling with a coffin-style bag.

There are many travel bags to choose from. Definitely go with a minimum of 10mm foam when traveling by air. Depending on how many boards you are bringing will determine the type of bag you will want to use. For shorter strike missions with only 1-2 boards, I recommend a trimmed-down travel bag like the Prolite Rhino Board Bag or the Dakine Mission Bag. For a longer trip with 2+ boards, I recommend a coffin-style bag. My favorite is the Prolite Finless Coffin Triple Bag. 

*PRO TIP: Snag a pair of Flexi-Hex surfboard packing materials. They’re a game changer for adding extra protection to your surfboard and rails while traveling. Also, check out our full review of the Best Travel Surfboard Bags and How to Size A Surfboard Bag for more tips on finding the right bag for your travel quiver.

SURFBOARD: If you plan on renting or buying a board at your destination, then this does not apply. However, having boards you know and trust will increase your stoke factor exponentially. Strike missions where the short-term forecast is available before departure will make deciding what board to bring easier. Longer trips become a little harder, so I recommend flying with an airline with zero baggage fees. This way, you can pack a board for small average days and a proper board if the waves get big and juicy. Having a diverse quiver at your disposal in an exotic destination will make your trip more enjoyable.

SURF BACKPACKS AND BAGS: A good backpack can make traveling much easier and less stressful. Traveling organized and having easy access to your passport, laptop, and whatever else you may bring on a plane will make your traveling experience so much smoother. If you are traveling to a destination where you will be bringing a wetsuit, consider a dry bag or at least a backpack that doubles as both.

*PRO TIP: Our Best Surf Backpacks is chock-full of the latest and greatest backpacks for surfers.

FINS AND FIN ACCESSORIES: When going on a surf trip, I pack a set of fins for each board I bring. If you only bring one board, it never hurts to bring an extra set in case something happens. Do not forget to bring a Futures or FCS fin key or a Fin Tool of some sort, as they are much harder to find abroad.

SURF WAX: It doesn’t matter where you go; without surf wax, surfing is nearly impossible. Know the water temperature at your travel destination so you bring the appropriate wax. Wax is almost always cheaper in the USA than abroad, so load up on enough bars. I recommend storing it in a Wax Box so it doesn’t melt and cause a mess in your board bag.

I also bring a wax comb or scraper with me. It’s nice to have in case you run low on wax and need more traction or use it to remove wax from the board before traveling home. You will find that the tropical wax you used in Indonesia might not work as well once you are back home in 50-degree water.

*PRO TIP: Personally, I like the Wax Fresh Wax Scraper. It works better than a comb.

BOARDSHORTS AND BIKINIS: When going somewhere tropical, I bring at least three pairs of board shorts. They double as street clothes, and it’s always nice to have a dry pair. Board shorts and Bikinis can be easily stashed and used for added board protection as well.

SURFBOARD LEASH AND LEASH TIE: It’s always smart to pack multiple leashes and leash ties for a surf trip, especially to remote areas where a surf shop might not be accessible. I bring multiple leash ties because it’s better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. If you are traveling somewhere with solid waves in the forecast, you may want to pack a thicker leash to go with your normal and comp leashes.

*PRO TIP: Not sure what leash to snag for your next trip? Check out our Best Leashes review for the ones that stand out.

SUNCREEN AND SPF PROTECTION: This is an obvious must-have for tropical destinations. However, UV rays can be just as strong in colder destinations with little to no sun, so make sure you don’t forget it even if you’re traveling to Ireland or Canada. I pack a couple of bottles of sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and a Face Stick with zinc for extra protection.

*PRO TIP: I am a huge fan of Sun Bum’s products, especially their face sticks. 

MEN’S / WOMEN’S RASHGUARD AND SURF HAT: To piggyback off of SPF Protection, it is also a good idea to pack a rashguard or neoprene top, depending on your preference. While the main usage for these items may be to prevent rashes or to keep you warm during sunrise sessions, they also act as fantastic UV protection. For boat trips or those with fairer skin, a surf hat is always a good idea for extra sun protection.

WETSUIT: If you are traveling to a place with colder water, pack a wetsuit appropriate for the climate. Research ahead of time what the water and air temperatures will be. Or, if there are local surf shops in that area, call them ahead of time to get an idea of what they recommend as the local experts. 

*PRO TIP: Our comprehensive Wetsuit Guide has a great section about what wetsuit thickness to use based on the water temperature. 

BEACH TOWEL: We all need towels at the beach and after surfing. I roll up a couple and put them in a coffin bag as extra rail protection for my surfboards.

DING REPAIR: More important for longer trips but also a good thing to have anywhere you travel with your own surfboards. Airline companies are notorious for being negligent with surfers' most prized possessions, so having the ability to fix any dings incurred during travel is invaluable. You’d be surprised at how much easier it is and how fast you can repair a board in climates such as Indonesia, where the intense sun cures resin in minutes. Make sure you get the proper kit based on your board construction (Epoxy vs Poly).

Non-Surfing Essentials Packing List

There’s a lot to remember when packing for a surf trip, and sometimes, it’s easy to forget the important items that aren’t necessarily found at your local surf shop. The essentials are must-haves to be prepared out of the water when on your next surf trip.

FIRST AID KIT: Your board shouldn’t be the only thing you anticipate getting dinged. Your body may be susceptible to damage as well, especially when surfing areas with reefs, sea urchins, and limited health care infrastructure. Make sure you have antibiotics, antiseptics, disinfectants, band-aid/bandages, etc. You can find travel first aid kits anywhere.

TOILETRY BAG: This should be essential on ALL trips, whether surfing or not. I always keep a toothbrush, travel toothpaste, a beard trimmer, deodorant, earplugs, and Tylenol in my toiletry bag. I keep my toiletry bag on hand at all times so I can stay fresh and hygienic during long layovers, etc.

MEN’S / WOMEN’S SANDALS: You’re going on vacation, need I explain more?

BUG SPRAY: It’s nice to have when needed. Many foreign countries only offer ones that are full of Deet or other harmful chemicals, so bringing your own is ideal.

Worth Consideration Packing List

These items aren’t for every surfer, but they are definitely worth considering if you have some extra space in your bag.

REEF BOOTS: For many surfers accustomed to surfing over sand, the first time surfing over a reef can be an intimidating experience. Reef protection, such as reef booties and helmets, not only provides surfers with physical protection but also helps psychologically by giving surfers the confidence to surf freely over a potentially dangerous sea bottom. Reef booties are immensely good for reefy or rocky breaks you have to rock dance on otherwise. They also help with protection against urchins and stingrays.

SURF HELMET: Helmets are another consideration, especially when surfing heavy waves with shallow reefs/rocks. They are quickly becoming more common amongst the surfing elite in waves of consequence. 

*PRO TIP: Not sure what surf helmet is best for you? Take a look at our review of the Best Surf Helmets. 

TIE DOWNS AND SURF RACKS: When bringing your own surfboards, whether you rent a car or need to hire a taxi from the airport to your accommodation, tie-downs are a good thing to have. Not all rideshares are equipped to deal with surfers, so bringing your own tie-downs or surf racks can give you peace of mind no matter where you travel.

GLOBAL ENTRY (USA RESIDENTS ONLY): For American surfers who travel internationally frequently, I highly recommend looking into US Customs' Global Entry program. This program expedites clearance through customs, which we all know can be a nightmare.

 Final Thoughts

There you have it, the essentials every surfer needs to include when packing for a surf trip. A well-packed surf trip can mean the difference between an unforgettable adventure and a frustrating experience. By planning ahead and bringing the right surf essentials, you’ll set yourself up for success at any destination. Don’t forget crucial travel documents, research airline baggage fees, and invest in travel insurance for peace of mind. Whether it’s a strike mission to Mexico or you buy a one-way ticket across the globe, the above checklist should have you off the plane and ready to score waves in no time. 

If you have any specific questions about any of these items or need gear suggestions for a specific trip, feel free to contact us at any time. You can comment below, email us at support@cleanlinesurf.com, or call us at 1-888-546-6176.

Surf Trip Packing Checklist

When packing for a surfing trip, think about the duration of your stay, how accessible the spot is, and the expected weather and surf conditions. This list covers a wide range of essentials, but you won’t need to bring everything.

Click the button below for a printer-friendly version of the packing list. 

Spencer

Spencer is a long-time member of the Cleanline family who started out as grom washing wetsuits behind the original Cleanline on 1st Avenue in Seaside. He has worked most positions in the company from managing our Cannon Beach store to providing knowledgeable customer service for our Ecommerce department. These days he works part-time answering the phones and writing blogs while also selling Real Estate locally on the Oregon Coast. When he's not working he's either surfing, traveling, or hanging out with his dog Wyatt.