By Kai Lani | WAHA Surf Shop
Plan for Success
Proper packing ensures you spend time surfing, not wandering around a foreign town looking for wax or fin keys. A solid packing system takes the stress out of travel and lets you focus on what matters: scoring waves in a new place.
This list has been tested on trips from the North Shore to Central America to Southeast Asia. Tailor it to your destination, but the core items stay the same no matter where the swell takes you.
Surf Gear
Board Bag Tips
Your board bag is the most important piece of travel equipment. A good one protects your boards from baggage handlers and airline conveyor belts. A bad one means arriving to perfect waves with a cracked rail.
- Padded travel bag: Look for bags with at least 10mm of padding. Double or triple bags are worth the extra weight for international flights.
- 2-3 boards recommended: Bring a range. A step-up for bigger days, your daily driver, and something with extra volume for small or mushy surf.
- Pipe insulation: Wrap your rails and nose with foam pipe insulation from the hardware store. Costs almost nothing and prevents most dings.
- Clothes as padding: Pack towels and wetsuits between boards for extra cushioning. This also saves luggage space.
Essentials
- Leashes (always bring a backup, leashes break at the worst times)
- Fins + fin key (TSA allows fin keys in carry-on)
- Wax in multiple temperatures (tropical, warm, cool)
- Wax comb
- Traction pad (if needed)
- Ding repair kit (Solarez works great for quick fixes)
Wetsuits
- Research destination water temp before packing
- Bring a backup if possible (a blown zipper ruins a trip)
- Booties and gloves if heading somewhere cold
- Rash guard for warm water destinations
Check out our wetsuit guide if you need help choosing the right thickness for your destination.
Clothing
- Boardshorts (3-4 pairs that dry quickly)
- Lightweight quick-dry shirts
- Flip flops and one pair of walking shoes
- One nice outfit for dinners out
- Light jacket or hoodie for evenings or travel days
- Hat for sun protection between surfs
- Sunglasses (polarized, so you can read the water from shore)
Sun Protection
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50 (avoid oxybenzone)
- Zinc oxide for face and ears
- SPF lip balm (sunburned lips are miserable)
- Aloe vera gel for after sun
- UV protection rash guard (reduces how much sunscreen you need)
Health and Safety
- First aid kit with waterproof bandages and antiseptic
- Insect repellent (DEET-based for tropical destinations)
- Motion sickness meds for boat trips to offshore breaks
- Any prescription medications (pack extras in carry-on)
- Water purification tablets if heading somewhere remote
- Ear plugs for surfer's ear prevention
- Travel insurance documents (printed and digital copies)
Travel Insurance: Do Not Skip This
Travel insurance is not optional for surf trips, especially international ones. A board ding is annoying. A broken collarbone on a reef in Indonesia without insurance is financially devastating. Look for policies that specifically cover adventure sports or surfing, because some standard travel insurance excludes "extreme sports."
Good surf travel insurance should cover medical evacuation (some remote surf spots are hours from a hospital), trip cancellation, gear loss or damage, and emergency medical treatment. The U.S. Department of State travel advisory page is worth checking for your destination before booking anything.
International Packing Differences
Where you are going changes what you pack. A trip to Bali looks very different from a cold-water trip to northern Europe or a remote boat charter in the Mentawais.
Tropical Destinations (Indonesia, Costa Rica, Caribbean)
- Minimal wetsuit needs, maybe just a rash guard or spring suit
- Extra sunscreen (you will burn through it faster than expected)
- Reef booties for sharp reef breaks
- Mosquito net or repellent for jungle accommodations
- Quick-dry everything, because nothing dries in humid climates
Cold-Water Destinations (Northern Europe, Pacific Northwest)
- Full winter wetsuit (4/3mm or thicker)
- Hood, gloves, and booties are essential
- Wetsuit dryer or a plan to dry your suit between sessions
- Thermos with hot water or tea for post-surf warmth
- Changing mat and warm towel for parking lot changes
Electronics
- Camera + waterproof housing
- GoPro + chest and board mounts
- Extra batteries and memory cards (always more than you think)
- Universal power adapter for your destination
- Portable charger (at least 10,000 mAh)
- Waterproof phone pouch for beach days
Documents
- Passport (check expiration, many countries require 6+ months validity)
- Visa if required (research well in advance)
- Travel insurance policy number and emergency contact
- Flight confirmations (printed backup)
- Accommodation details and local emergency numbers
- Digital copies of everything stored in cloud or email
Miscellaneous
- Day bag or small backpack for beach days
- Dry bag for keeping valuables safe on the sand
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks for travel days and dawn patrol sessions
- Ear plugs and neck pillow for long flights
- A good book for flat days
Pro Tips
- Weigh bags before heading to the airport (board bag fees vary wildly by airline)
- Put fins, leashes, and valuables in your carry-on
- Photograph all your gear before the trip for insurance claims
- Arrive early for board bag check-in (some counters need a supervisor for oversized bags)
- Check airline board bag policies before booking. Some airlines charge $50, others charge $300+.
- Roll clothes instead of folding to save space and reduce wrinkles
Before you go, brush up on ocean safety basics for your destination. Different breaks have different hazards, and knowing what to watch for keeps your trip fun instead of frightening.