The Ultimate Surf Travel Packing List
Summer is in full swing, so it’s swell season in the southern hemisphere. If you’re like us, you need periodic reprieve from SoCal summer crowds. While south swells occasionally bring fun surf to the California coast, and hurricane season can light up the East and Gulf Coasts, we’d rather chase south swells closer to the source. From May to September, the southern oceans are particularly active, thanks to winter storm activity in Antarctica that revibrate powerful south swells for thousands of miles. Central America and Mexico’s Pacific Coastlines groom incoming south swells into world-class waves and are just a stone’s throw from the continental United States. Whether planning a summer surf trip to some far-flung corner of the globe or driving down the coast to escape the crowds, continue reading below for Fix Manufacturing Presents: the Ultimate Surf Travel Packing List.
Sun Protection
Approximately 80% of skin cancer occurs on our face, head, and shoulder, so sometimes UPF clothing is not enough. Do yourself a favor and throw some quality, mineral-based sunscreen in your travel bag before your next surf trip. We like RAW Elements because it’s a 100% organic mineral-based sunscreen that won’t have damaging long-term effects on your skin or the ocean. Raw Elements Sunscreen is made with natural zinc oxide, organic beeswax, and other organic ingredients designed to keep you sun safe in the surf and beyond.
Ensure your surf trip goes as planned by packing everything you need for a successful strike mission. Pack your bags and don’t forget your Kraken Surf Tool before you leave to chase the next swell.
Sunny Garcia testing out a prototype of The Kraken back in 2017
The Kraken Surf Tool
The Kraken Surf Tool is the surf trip savior you didn’t know you needed. The Kraken is so much more than just a fin-key; it’s a ten-in-one compact multi-tool with a wax comb / scraper, fin key, slotted screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, leash cord, leash cord feeder, easy-out (removes stripped screws), a fin box re-threader, and a bottle opener. While fin keys and wax combs are crucial packing list items, having a re-threader and an easy-out to deal with pesky repairs is a game changer. The Kraken is compact enough to fit in your pocket and is a must-have item on any surf trip.
There’s no telling what boards will be available upon arrival – bring your own
The Ultimate Surf Travel Quiver
Dialing in your travel quiver before a big trip is an exact science. If you’re chasing a swell, your boards will likely be dialed to the specific forecast. But if you’ve preplanned a trip, you’ll want to cover your basis with a quiver that can tackle a variety of conditions. We recommend packing at least three boards, including a high-performance shortboard for good waves, a step-up for big waves, and a fish or groveler for smaller surf.
A Trusty Pair of Boardies
We live in boardshorts during surf trips, so we need a quality pair of boardies that will last multiple seasons while feeling and looking great in and out of the water. Vissla’s line of Solid Sets BoardShorts features a classic design in various colors with four different lengths. The Solid Sets Boardshort are made from a blend of upcycled coconut fibers, recycled polyester Repreve, and cotton. These boardshorts are the ultimate modern surf trunk with a 4-way stretch fabric, a scalloped hem, and a back pocket with a key loop. Whether you’re paddling out or heading out on the town, the Solid Sets Boardshorts are an essential surf travel item.
UPF Clothing
The summer sun is unrelenting, especially in the tropics. If you’re serious about your health or want to avoid a dreaded, trip-ruining sunburn, we suggest investing in quality UPF clothing, starting with a UPF surf shirt. The Oleu Boardshirt is the first of its kind rash guard and surf shirt replacement in a classic, button-up Aloha shirt design. With four-way stretch, quick-drying fabric, low-profile snap closures, and a rear zipper storage pocket, this surf shirt thrives in the water and excels on land. The beauty of Oleu’s Active Aloha Boardshirt is that you can transition from the surf to dinner or the bar without missing a beat.
A Durable Board Bag
Traveling with surfboards is never easy. They’re cumbersome yet fragile, and the airlines consistently try to nickel and dime you for sub-par handling that usually leaves your boards with a few new dings. That’s why we take our surfboard travel bag selection seriously. Prolite has been in the game of protecting boards for decades, and their latest four-board Armored Coffin means business. The bag has semi-rigid top and bottom panels, adding an extra layer of protection from whatever your travels throw at it. The rails are protected by inflatable inserts that make the thing practically bomb-proof.
Surf Accessories
It’s always wise to travel with extra gear, whether that’s spare fin screws, an extra leash, or some straps; our friends at XM Surf have you covered. If you plan on surfing serious waves, you may come home with a few extra feet of length on your leash. Instead of surfing with a defunct leash, bring a spare or two. That way, if you break a leash, you have a backup, and your trip and boards are saved.