Pack what you think you need, then bring half.
Airline tickets (& copy)!!!
Camera
Cash (new bills, no damage)
Comb*
Contact lenses (extras)
Credit cards (visa,mc,discover)
Deodorant*
Ding repair kit
Driver's license (& copy)
Electricity adaptor*
Energy snacks*
Eyeglasses
First Aid*
Long sleeve shirt
Malaria medication*
Moisturizer*
Mosquito repellant*
Multi-board travel bag
Nail clippers*
Pain medication*
Pants
Passport (& photocopy)!!!
Prescription medicine*
Rain jacket
Sandals
Shampoo
Shaving kit
Shoes
Shorts
Sleeping pills
Soap
Socks
Stickers
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Surf towel*
T-shirt
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Towel
Travel backpack
Tweezers*
Underwear*
Visa (if required & photocopy)
In the Water
Boardshorts
Fin key
Fin sets
Helmet*
Leashes
Rashguard
Booties (reef)*
Snorkel gear
Surfboards
Sun block
Wax (& comb)
Wetsuit*
*optional
Leave only footprints and take only photos.
Respect the local vibe, your on their territory. When surfing a new break, wait your turn to get waves.
Try to travel in small groups, no one likes the 'insta-crowd' at any surf spot. If you do show up at a surf spot with a group, have only a couple go out at a time. That way everyone gets a chance to get some surfing.
Say "Hello" and smile, your there for a good time. Being polite in the line-up will help you score more waves and make new friends. Knowing some of the language can go a long way too.
Don't trash where you visit. Pick up after yourself.
Bring extras to hand out: wax, stickers, shirts, boardshorts and even surfboards. This will promote positive surfing for the local community.
Baggage handlers are your friends... not!
Make sure to pack extra support around your surfboards to prevent any damages during travel.
Placing clothes or foam on the surfboard's rails, tail and between the nose will help insure the safety of your boards.
To help cut down on extra baggage, pad the boards with clothes, towels, and wetsuit for the trip.
Now boarding.
Buying your plane ticket later at night will sometimes give you a cheaper price, also try to fly in and out mid-week.
Get the early flight in and the late flight out, this gives you extra time to surf on travel days.
When parking at the airport, park at the satellite lots, they are cheaper, but you will need more time to get shuttled to the gate. Make sure to tip the driver.
Take a carry on bag with bare essentials:
Watch you bags!!!
Try to keep your bags with you at all times!
"Too much, friend price."
Check the exchange rates to get an idea about how much the trip will cost.
If you are not the fastest with math, bring a calculator to help with prices.
Do NOT exchange all your money at the airport, they tend to have the worst exchange rates and they charge commision. Just exchange what you need for your ride to the surf, then find a bank or ATM.
Caution!
Check with the embassy for up-to-date information about a destination.
Make sure you get checked out by a doctor and tell them your travel plans. Click here for medical advice about the destination you are travelling. Some destinations require medication prior to your visit to aid in prevention of spreading and catching diseases. Talk to your doctor about all details about your plans to help keep you healthy and safe.
MIA to MGA
Find the right airport to fly into. This will help when renting a car and finding how far to the waves.
Surf your best!
Get the most out of your travels and be prepared for anything.
Get you passport now!
You will need to get a passport to travel anywhere outside the United States. Its important to give plenty of time before your trip to receive it. If you already have one, pay attention to the expiration date before you get to the airport.
"Say cheese!"
We all want to share our trips with our friends, so photos are very important. Film is very sensitive to x-ray, so never pack your film in with your checked bag. Always bring film in your carry on.
Have security check ALL FILM BY HAND.Never put your film through the x-ray.
Shooting digital, you can put it all thru the x-ray with no problem. Make sure you pack all your photo gear with a tight padding, in a waterproof case.