My shortlist: Bali/Barbados/Dominican Rep/Sri Lanka/Costa Ri

[AnSmets]

Hi surfers,

Already posted a similar question about this a while ago, did some extra research, ended up with 5 possible destinations on my shortlist. Long story short: taking a trip with a few beginners and intermediate surfers, on a exotic location where a wetsuit is not needed. Business meets pleasure: we'll be taking pictures on the spot, that will be published back home.
Anyone thoughts on my shortlist (5 is the least interesting, 1 the best choice), especially on my top 3. Need some professional opinion, hard to choose...

5. Sri Lanka: on the bottom of my short list. Travel time between airport and beaches/surf locations could be long. Which is not what we need. Taking pictures or surfing in bathing suit or bikini might also be a problem (muslim country). Best time to surf: all year round.
4. Costa Rica: on the bottom of my list. Travel time between airport and beaches/surf locations could be long. Am i right? Best time to surf: may to september.
3. Barbados: apparently, surfing spots not so far from airport. Am i right? Good beginner conditions, all year round but preferably may to october?
2. north coast Dominican Republic: apparently, surfing spots not so far from airport. Am i right? Good beginner conditions, october to march. Not between august & october (hurricane season)
1. Bali: surfing spots not so far from airport (right?). well established surf scene. good conditions all year round but preferably april to november. Seems to be a great choice, but pretty crowded.

Any thoughts that might change my mind on this?

Thank you for your advice!

All the best,
An

[jaffa1949]

I was wondering what was happening with your project. Bali there are great beaches right under the landing flight path, but wall to wall hotels along the beach almost to Donald Trump's planned new golf course at Tanah Lot.
Getting a corner with beach view and no infrastructure will interesting, uncrowned and not being the object of hordes of hawkers. Difficult.
Add a little side trip to Kuta Lombok, 30 minute flight and you can get a quieter corner with good camera angles and idyllic backgrounds.
Less crowded. You will still need to be very aware of surf safety! But accommodation and beach within easy access.
Have a look at the Novotel Kuta Lombok, they will probably arrange airport pickup and drivers for shooting days!

[waikikikichan]

Are these intermediates ( and beginners ) used to surfing in full wetsuits usually ? Going in trunks and bikinis, be fore warned about sunburn, rash burns on the inner thighs, and bruised ribs for the males and bruised hip bones for the ladies. Another poster is having that rib pain not being used to not using a wetsuit.

[AnSmets]

Hi Jaffa & co,

Thanks for your reply. Jaffa: you were wondering about this project... It will happen, but it's a longterm project: maybe 2017, probably 2018. We still have a lot of planning to do! One step at a time. I'll let you know .
Thanks a lot for you help!

An

[jaffa1949]

Just noticed one mistake, Sri Lanka is not a Muslim country, predominantly Buddhist. Still courtesy re bikinis away from resort beaches. Sri Lankan's naturally a courteous people. Still has the travel to surf problem.

Kuta Lombok still represents a better Indonesian choice, The Caribbean choices could fit better, there is basic surf guide and atlas here on the website and Ian researching the Caribbean for a trip of my own so will tag you with anything that could help!
Cheers Jaffa

[BaNZ]

Jaffa please keep me updated as well on the Caribbean. Its not too far from me now

[Big H]

Bali is a tough place to surf for a beginner. Waves are big and powerful most breaks....those small swell suitable days and breaks that break small are overrun with surf schools, guides and other short timers crossing off "learning to surf" from their bucket lists..... Lineups get reasonable when conditions weed out the schools and hordes of beginner-intermediates. Not a bad place for raw beginners as Kuta Bali inside has low tide whitewater well suited for learning.

[Big H]

Apparently St. Barths has waves....who knew?! . Beautiful island....have heard on this page there are spots in Martinique and Guadeloupe as well as Barbados. However, purely from a surfing point of view for the levels that you talk about, Central America gets lots of nods....take a look at Nicaragua; it is a lot more stable there than in the 80s when I went there (not for surfing though....just teenage backpacking travel).

I love DR, and heard waves can be good there. When I was there 20 years ago it was very much a developing country and Caucasians were recommended not to go around alone especially at night. I am not so I blended in and had a blast. Side note: they really are crazy for baseball there.....sandlot games going on in every space imaginable.

[thantthein]

Ive only been to costa rica so i can't say anything about the rest of the places but Costa was a blast. I stayed in Playa Grande and Tamarindo (tamarindo is tourist nightmare, playa grande more recommended) Also travelled to other neighboring beaches but Playa grande was my home base. Went in July during the "rainy" season but only rained once on my week long trip. Waves were pretty fun, beach breaks, kinda waves i got in SoCal. It was WARM, water was seriously hot tub hot. Surfing schools litter tamarindo, like i said playa grande is more laid back and barely any people when i was there. About 40 mins from airport but surf break was right down the street. Tamarindo has bars, clubs and the like. Costa was my first over seas surf trip and i highly recommend. Food was great, people are really nice, surf was good.