Six Totally Awesome Family Surf Camps - 2

4. Byron Bay

Byron Bay in New South Wales is probably the best beginner surfing spot Down Under. The gentle waves, sand-bottomed beaches and laid-back vibe can’t be matched in other places in Australia, which are either too busy, too remote or suffer from dangerous oceanic conditions that aren’t appropriate for beginners. Byron’s got a balmy year-round climate, and the Pacific waters here require a wetsuit only during the winter months of July and August, for surfing spots like the Bay’s famous right-hander.

Surf Camp Australia, tel. +61-2-9262-1757, www.surfcamp.com.au. One-day surf trips start at about $140 and cover two lessons, lunch, wetsuits and surfboards, and all transportation. Weekend trips, four-day and five-day trips available, also.

5. Cape Town

Nestled near the southern tip of the African continent, the city of Cape Town is like a slice of California in South Africa. The mild climate and mellow vibes there are a perfect compliment to the miles of pristine beaches that wrap around the region’s plentiful headlands and bays, all of which receive consistent Atlantic swells, largest during the winter months of July and August. Sounds idyllic, but cold water temps mean that a wetsuit is required year-round, and local surfers are quite familiar with great white sharks that densely populate these waters, especially around False Bay. Families can take heart in the fact that attacks are exceedingly rare, and most surfing beaks, such as Long Beach, have shark lookouts on duty who warn if sharks come near.

• After a long day of surfing, Bali Surf Campers can rest their tired bodies at their villas by the pool.
• Courtesy of the Bali Surf Camp and Surf School

Cape Town Surf School, tel. +34-971-79-78, www.nomadsurfers.com. Overnight surf camps from about $122 per day. Seven-day surf camp packages start at about $840 per person, and include breakfast, lunch, all surf equipment, six days of lessons, seven days accommodation, all transportation and one yoga class.

6. Bali

Bali is the most tourist-friendly of the Indonesian isles, featuring a well-established international airport and diverse accommodations ranging from five-star hotels to budget lodges. It’s also the center of Indian Ocean surfing, with drop-dead, perfect waves that start surfers drooling. More than anywhere in the world, Bali’s the ideal spot for a family camp surfari: It has consistent year-round swells, a tropical climate and fascinating local culture. Beginners should forego some advanced spots, like the left-hander at Uluwatu, and instead focus on easier breaks like Dreamland.  

Bali Surf Camp and Surf School, tel. +62-81-337-73721, www.balisurfingcamp.com. Overnight surf camps from about $87 per day. One-week surf camp packages with double occupancy lodging start at $450 and include two meals per day, surf guides and transportation to beach.