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After the obligatory surf lesson with Surf's Up we tried an afternoon's kayaking with Matt from Cornish Rock Tors. We pootled around some lovely coastline around Port Gaverne and even saw a seal. Kids had a great time. Top fun.
Ngarunui is the main swimming beach in Raglan and is perfect if you're learning to surf. You can choose to go with a local surf school, or if you've had a few lessons and are keen to go along with a friend, hire boards and wetsuits individually by the hour (without making a booking) from the main entrance to the beach below the carpark. It's not too pricey either and there are usually people around so it's not too scary if you're just starting out.
It’s situated about 30 metres from the beach just in front of Peniche Kite & Surf Center and 300 metres from downtown Peniche, Portugal, where you have everything you need to have the holidays you’re looking for!
The surf camp has shared rooms, with bunk beds, perfect for groups, or private rooms, some with a panoramic view, sharing the living room and kitchen with the other guests. You can also rent a private apartment.
Avenida Monsenhor Bastos,
Praia de Peniche de Cima
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/peniche/24903/
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/
Unique and hidden gem is the north of Portugal. Peniche is a truly Portuguese place; life revolves around the sea, one of the major fishing ports, gorgeous beaches and a perfect surfing area.
You'll find the finest surfing conditions everyday regardless of the swell and wind direction. Around Peniche Surf Camp Base you can find a mix of long sandy bays and a couple of reef breaks.
Peniche Surf Camp Base has got an ocean view and is located 100 metres from three excellent waves to surf. In a 15km radius you have more than 20 waves to choose from, one of them described as the best left-hander in Portugal.
The Algarve surf and yoga retreat is an ecologically built nature camp that specialises in surf and yoga programmes. Located in Cabo Vicentina natural park, the retreat boasts close access to three stunning beaches. Built on the model of simple living, the camp offers three meals per day, surf and yoga activities, canoeing and just a great place to relax.
It only takes small groups so a low-key stay is assured.
Surf Shanti is an ecological nature retreat located on the west coast of the Algarve. There you can learn to surf and practice yoga. It is a rustic unique outdoor camp environment. Great for nature lovers and outdoor people. Really amazing beaches!
This place was amazing! It is a surf and yoga camp modeled on an African safari camp. Very 'eco' in feel and a great place to totally unwind, you can't help but totally relax. Practice yoga and learn to surf - what a great combination! Myself and my partner totally enjoyed it. Yoga always appealed to her and I always wanted to do a surf trip. We both loved it and would recommend it for couples for sure. Also the area and beaches around are stunning as well.
A beach 3km from Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. There is a massive beach for surfing and a smaller one for swimming and snorkelling. There is also a trail that takes you through an area full of marine iguanas.
The walk starts in Puerto Ayora and goes east. At the start of the trail you have to sign in. The beach is open from 06.00 to 18.00
It is a fabulous place on the west coast only about 1 hour from Auckland. It is a place to kick-back, walk on the beach, ride the surf and generally do very little
West of Auckland
If you get tired of Peru's never-ending old ruins and the coldness of the Andes, and dream of a nice beach, Máncora is the place to go.
Situated near the border of Ecuador at the northern corner of the country, this small beach resort is ideal for budget travelers. Big luxury hotels and restaurants haven't yet arrived here.
Instead, you will find nice, friendly small hotels, bars, many seafood restaurants, a vegetarian restaurant, and half a dozen souvenier shops.
This, Peru's best beach resort, is popular with surfers. You can hire a surf or body board, enjoy jumping in the waves of the Pacific Ocean, or just enjoy the sun on the beach. The busiest surfing months are November and February. Outside these months the place can be tranquil and room rates negotiable.
There are daily night buses from Lima to Máncora.
Beautiful beach and great for kids. The beach slopes very gently. Great for walks too. If you wander round to Rock you can get the ferry across to Padstow. Daimer Bay is great for windsurfers and surfing where there is a decent wind or swell. Voted one of the best beaches in the world.
It's a 2 minute drivefrom Polzeath, go through the Polzeath beach road and carry on for about a mile or two it's a turning on the right. if you get stuck ask a local.
It's a beautiful town with strong Asturian culture. A river to canoe and a beach to surf. The surf adventure company surf atlantico make a stop there
27km west of Llanes.
www.surf-atlantico.com
A new, laid-back surf company that specialises in surf trips between the Basque country and Asturias, taking you to places unfrequented by other tourists.
For anybody who wants to start surfing or who already surfs.
Trips are done in VW camper vans and accomodation on luxury campsites in high season and hostels in low. I loved it!
I surf on the south-west of France in Messanges south beach.
I recommend a surf school based in camping d'Albret plage.
Contact Cyril.
Messanges South Beach
Camping d'albret plage
www.originalride.com/index.php?lang=gb
on 00 33 6 78 79 74 40
This beach is not quite as famous as Croyd but very close to it. It's a fantastic beach for longboarding, has a hire shop on the beach, a great little cafe for lunch snacks which is open even in the depths of winter and a cool cafe bar for a well deserved drink after the surf.
Also the hotel at the top of the hill is beautiful and well worth a stop over.
A perfect place to spend the day. Enjoy eggs and chips or proper tea at one of the three beach cafes, walk up along the cliffs towards Seaton and beyond.
Take a boat trip, go mackerel fishing (on a mackerel pleasure trip as the sign used to have it) or buy fresh fish down on the beach. Get drowsy and happy in the cliff top garden of the Anchor Inn.
Go second hand book shopping in a hidden garage book shop (look for the sign on the pavement near the top of Fore Street), stock up on surf gear at Jimmy Green's or pick up some well-priced art at the Steam Gallery.
In the summer there's a regatta, but I've always preferred it a little out of high season, when you can enjoy the peace that fills this little town.
Jimmy Green's Surf 'n' Sail, Lower Fore Street, Beer, EX12 3JH
Tel: 01297 625125
Anchor Inn, Beer, Devon, EX12 3ET
Tel: 01297 20386
Steam Gallery At Beer, Fore St, Beer, Devon, EX12 3JH
Tel: 01297 625144
Filey on the Yorkshire coast is an enchanting 5 mile long stretch of clean golden sand. Great for walkers, children, surfers and anyone who enjoys beauty and quietness. From Filey Brigg jutting out into the North Sea to the cliffs of Speeton and Bempton it is an uniterrupted paradise.
Filey, North Yorkshire, has its own passenger train station and frequent bus services. It is also in reach of the North Yoks Moors, Scarborough, Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay .....
A few miles south of Ilfracombe are the villages of Croyde, Saunton and Braunton. What they all have in common are huge sandy beaches and conditions that have become well known for surfing. If you don’t surf, just get an ice cream and watch – it’s quite entertaining.
Croyde, Saunton, Braunton
www.croydedevon.co.uk/
I've just got back from a week at Rapture Surf Camp in Portugal. The beach in Ericeira is excellent with great waves. The surf camp is based in a chilled out villa 3 minutes walk from the sea.
You get friendly and knowledgeable surf guides who will tell you where to surf and give you pointers, decent hearty meals and a communal living room with comfy sofas, widescreen tv and dvds where you can hang out with other travellers and relax after a hard days surfing.
The town itself has plenty of bars and some good restaurants. You can get a great Brazilian steak for 10 Euros
I paid just over 200 Euros for 6 nights, surf lessons, wetsuit & board hire, breakfast and dinner and a ride to the airport. Bargain.
It is a 40 min drive from Lisbon airport, they will pick you up for 15 Euros, or there is a bus for around 5 Euros, which takes a little longer.
www.rapturecamps.com/
Situated between Newquay and Padstow, this large sandy beach is a welcome escape from the tackiness of nearby Fistral.
Watergate bay is not just a lovely spot; there are facilities to hire all sorts of equipment for fun in the sun: surfboards, wave skis, power kites etc.
After a hard day's activity you can chill on the beach with a beer listening to surf rock.
A popular location for the English Surf Championships and since my last visit a certain Mr Oliver has opened a restaurant there.
A beautiful spot none the less.
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