What to pack when you go on surfing holidays with family

Family surfing at surf school
What to Pack When You Go On Surfing Holidays With Family

Packing for a trip is stressful. Packing for a family holiday is even more stressful. Packing for a surf holiday with your family is even more stressful on top of that. When there are so many people and so many belongings to keep track of, packing can turn into a nightmare in minutes. This article aims to take some of the load off of your to-do list by outlining everything you will need to pack to make your surfing holiday a success.

SURF ESSENTIALS
First and foremost, every surf trip requires some surfing essentials. Depending on where exactly your gang is headed, you might need more or less of the items featured on the list below. For example, if you are opting to stay at a glamping resort tailored for surf enthusiasts, the resort is likely to already have much of the surf supplies you and your members will require.

Even if you already have your own surf gear, it’s typically much easier to rent gear and purchase additional supplies once you have arrived. However, if you are an avid surfer who is tied to your customized board, have an affinity for that one specific brand of board wax that can only be found online, or simply want to manage costs by nixing rental fees altogether, then you will likely want to make sure that you have ticked off every item on our surf essentials packing list.

Surf Essentials Packing List:

  • Sunscreen
  • Bathing suits
  • Wetsuits or rash guards
  • Surf Wax
  • Surfboards
  • Beach towels
  • Sunglasses and hats
  • Beach clothes
  • Beach snacks
  • Surfboard repair kit
  • Board leashes
  • Surfing guide books and tide books
  • Duct tape
  • Beach toys/games/activities
  • Cooler
  • Beach chairs/umbrellas

BASIC ESSENTIALS
Keeping your troop happy on their holidays means making sure that you have all the basics covered. Again, depending on where you are staying and how many members are coming along, you may need more or less of the items on our basic essentials packing list. For example, a high-end luxury surf resort is likely keen on keeping your group’s basic needs met, so you can spend more time enjoying the surf.

If you are opting for a glamping resort, or something even more rustic, you will want to make sure that you check with your resort beforehand to see what they provide. The worst thing you can do is underpack and show up with less than what’s really needed. To be safe, just pack all of the items on this basic essentials list, and you should be good to go.

Basic Essentials Packing List:

  • Non-beach clothes and pajamas
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes
  • Shampoo/Conditioner
  • Razors
  • Deodorant
  • Money (including cash as some places do not accept credit cards)
  • Plug adapters
  • Camera (waterproof is ideal)
  • First aid kit
  • Bags/backpacks
  • Wristwatch (waterproof is ideal)
  • Insect repellant
  • Pen and paper
  • Mobile devices and chargers
  • Wallet/Purse
  • Home/car keys
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Wet wipes
  • Lotion/Aloe
  • Hairbrush, accessories, and hair care products
  • Books/games/playing cards
  • Extra laundry bag or large plastic bag
  • Water bottles

FAMILY-SPECIFIC ESSENTIALS
Take note of which members will be coming along on your trip. Do you have a baby or toddler? Are the grandparents coming? Does anyone in the group require specific medications or medical devices, such as an inhaler?

The best thing to do to help organize your family-specific essentials packing list is to make a chart of each member who will be coming on the trip and list their individual needs. Use these needs to create a list that is tailored to your own unique group dynamics. To help get you started, we have made a list of some of the most common family-specific essentials.

Family-Specific Essentials Packing List:

  • Contraception
  • Nappies and baby wipes
  • Face Wash
  • Glasses/contact lenses/lens solution
  • Baby monitor
  • Sippy cups/child dining supplies
  • Bibs
  • Bottles/Formula
  • Rash Ointment
  • Baby buggy/stroller (lightweight is best)
  • Baby sling/playpen/bouncer
  • Medication (including inhalers)
  • Stuffed animals
  • Age-specific toys
  • Children’s favorite blankets/pillows

TRAVELING ESSENTIALS
Lastly, no holiday in the surf would be complete without making sure that you have packed your family’s travel essentials. What you will need for this part of the packing process is dependent on how you plan to get to your destination.

Taking a plane or train will require a packing list that is slightly different than the items needed if you are driving. Regardless of how you choose to get there, this list is sure to cover almost everything you will need to in order to get from here-to-there safely and successfully, with the entire troop in tow.

Traveling Essentials Packing List:

  • Snacks
  • Passports
  • Tip documents (ex: visas)
  • Airline/train tickets
  • Driver’s license
  • Music for all ages
  • Headphones/ear plugs
  • Activities/games
  • Proof of relationship
  • Insurance documents
  • Carry-ons