where to go in feb / march

[dangerous dave]

looking to go to a surf camp any recommendations some where , where its warm ,in end feb beginning march some time .

[jaffa1949]

Dave since you live in London why not consider Portugal or the Azores, both family friendly with surf schools and camps.

[Aqualife]

Hi Dave,
You have asked a very vague question with not much information on your budget, your surfing ability, requirements and countries you are actually considering. There is absolutely no way you will get a decent answer if you ask in such a non-specific way. I am always happy to help but come on, you are looking for a surf camp somewhere in the world where it's warm, seriously?

[jaffa1949]

Winter must bug you D Dave, you asked similar question last year at the same time.
Did you ever go? Read all the travel advice, and go!

[dangerous dave]

jaffa no i didn't ;( but had a good few weekends in bude with my son .
i am going to surf maroc at xmas though and out there again in march time .

aqualife im a intermediate skil level and i was thinking bali as in 2015 i will be 50 and my son will
be 18 nothing over the top just a really good surf camp with nice accommodation a lot of places out there to go just wondered what you recommend from your vast experience.
i hope this helps.

[Aqualife]

Hi Dave,
First of all 2015 is a long way away. The Indonesian dry season runs roughly from April-Oct plus minus 1 month. This coincides with the 'conventional' swell and surf season with Jun-Aug the biggest and most crowded months. By conventional I mean this is when most people go and the best waves are happening with the cleanest condition. Some people like Bali in the off/rainy season. I am not one of those. The ocean is really dirty at that time and surfing is hit and miss with lots of searching, often the wrong winds and you can't surf every day, so a wash in my opionion (literally the monsoon season isn't pleasant). March can be ok too and also November. But Dec/Jan/Feb I'd stay away. Not sure when your birthday is but that's really the first thing you need to know.
Secondly, 'surf camps' are a relatively new addition to Bali's surfing scene. Most surfers who go to Bali just get a hotel, a driver/rent a car or a bike and then just go surfing on their own. The spots are all well documented and easy to find (and often crowded). On the other islands surf camps are necessary because spots are generally not where accommodation is available and it's undeveloped and remote, so for Bali I cannot really recommend any camp, as I have been going on my own for 20 years and never had trouble finding my way to the surf. I also think it's a waste of money, as you can just as easily stay in a any hotel and hire a surfguide locally to take you around.
Two surf camp type places I can recommend are:
On Lombok (next island to Bali), a nice Kiwi run camp with good food, nice surf and not so crowded, great location:
http://www.heavenontheplanet.co.nz/surfing
My UK friends went there on their honeymoon and loved it. I spent a few days and then left them to it...
On Sumbawa (short flight and drive from Bali):
http://amangati.com/index.php/surf-spots.html
With Bali, most people do it themselves, get a flight, a hotel, then local transport, a surf guide and you are all set, much cheaper and more flexible than being in a camp, as you won't be right in front of a surf spot where you can walk to anyway.
My 2 cents of wisdom.
I love Morocco. ENJOY>

[jaffa1949]

Dave it ain't dangerous have a look at Heaven on the Planet website under that name, there is a good intermediate lefthander wave there (Inside Ekas) and the set up is not too bad, it is on Lombok comes in at last look at $150 AU per day no locked in length of stay. See if that fits it is also less crowded . There also can be a more learner oriented break if a bigger swell gets into the bay. A down side is it can go small too.

Lombok is about a 45minute flight from Bali, there is also a ferry which varies between 3 to 6 hours depending on lots of stuff, seas, currents weather, an interesting excursion.
http://www.heavenontheplanet.co.nz/surfing

The other thought Aqualife offer is the other way I'd consider.
Never been to Morocco.

[dangerous dave]

thanks lombok sounds cool i have been looking at all the storm riders guides 1-3 its a big choice to pick from .
the flights will cost max £700 each plus where we sleep i know march 15 sounds far, its only 16 months away so I'm trying to get the ground work slowly under way i just don't want to screw up on picking a crap place I'm open to suggestions to any where else .
bacily just want to surf in a pair of shorts.
you guys have been doing this for years so you know the score hence asking the well traveled wise ones like your selfs.
big thanks DD

[jaffa1949]

Just a heads up February/March is a a little too early in the Indonesian season, I should have read your title clearly, the risk of flat periods and rain would be much greater. I doubt Heaven on the Planet would be useful then.
Also when there is heavy rains in Indonesian the water quality becomes more risky particularly where streams run out.

[dangerous dave]

what about j bay
this guy who i bought my bear long board keith has a place out there and dose a bit of surf guiding i think it works out about £50 per day food and transport all in .
just need a short err board to travel and have fun with.

[pico_train]

Hi,

J-Bay in Feb and March will be hit and miss. Mostly miss. I'm going to assume you longboard since you bought a Bear longboard. Point is the spot for longboards at J-Bay. There's Kitchen Windows too and Albatross apparently. Only surfed Point. In those months, you might be able to surf every 2nd day with 1-2 ft conditions. It won't be all time, that's for sure. When it works it's fun and long. On an off day you can drive about 1.5 hrs to Addo Elephant Park for a little safari adventure.

If you want to shortboard at J-Bay I would bear in mind that when it's on, the JBU are out in force and you will not be welcome if you don't "obey" their rules. Notorious bunch them.

Otherwise, not far away is Cape St-Francis. My in-law raves about Hulletts as a LB wave, never found it when I went looking over 5 years ago. Didn't try too hard as I had a 2 year old and my wife in the truck with me. - First time there and the place is a rabbits warren if you get lost. Nice town otherwise and Bruce's Beauties could be on...maybe.

[dangerous dave]

thanks pico ,I'm at a loss now so where can i go thats fairly consistent and not to far out of my skill level and i can wear shorts .
i won't take my long board,
i was looking to get a smaller board to travel with about 7ft isn long,
just want to have a good bit of fun and hang with my son

[pico_train]

Morocco - moroccan Surf Adventures. Denny and Nigel run the show. Their crew is a solid clan of locals. Do it.

Ha! Going there in ec and march so sorry for double post.

Maldives? Any good then?

[dtc]

If you have the spare cash, rent a camper van and drive up and down the east coast of Australia. Sure its not the best time for the swell, but there will be waves and there are literally 1000s of beaches and camp sites and its quite stunning (whether or not the waves are on). Although you may need a spring (shortie) suit.

But, realistically, the others have made some suggestions. I've heard Sri Lanka isnt too bad. March is the start of the 'surfing season'.

[Aqualife]

Hi Dave,
I actually think March is an ok month for Bali. February is not. March is change over season and you often get decent smaller waves, especially of the intermediate variety. It doesn't rain quite as much and you often get clear days, especially the second half of March. It's not crowded and actually quite pleasant.
Here is another boardie option for you which I can only highly recommend, a mate of mine owns this place in El Salvador, it's safe and secure, got a pool and a view of a right hand mellow pointbreak that gets nice long wall to do turns and have fun rides. There are another few waves in walking distance. The food is superb. The owner Oscar is a nice Salvadorean fisherman who can take you fishing. I have spent probably 5 months in total at Sunzal over the years and it's a nice spot, not too crowded and if you are mellow, the locals are too. Surf in shorts, hang in a hammock overlooking the ocean afterwards, have a swim, play pool and have a beer at night. Heaven.
It's a 45 min ride from the airport, so you are in the water the same day you get there.
Rooms are decent too.
If it were my 50th, I'd go there:
http://rocasunzal.com/english/home.htm
The can pick you up from the airport for $20 or so.

[dangerous dave]

thanks dtc bit out of my budget aus unless i win the lottery .
thanks aqua life looks well nice there start having a good look at that and bali
is the best thing to go out and get accommodation and find a surf school type thing once i get there.
thanks guys

[Aqualife]

Hi dave,
Yes for Bali I think the best way is to go and book accomodation and then go and find yourself a surf guide/school. Doing it from home would cost you an arm and a leg. In El Salvador you won't need to find someone, the breaks are right out front and they can organise it all for you. The village is one lane only with surf rental/school opposite, really small and everyone knows each other. There are some other 10 pointbreaks in 20 minute vicinity, you can either catch a 25 cent bus along the coast or get someone at Sunzal to drive you there.
If you want absolutely want to do the camp thing, you could also look at Costa Rica which is good around that time of the year and has got camps galore.

You first need to decide on a place/country and then go from there.

If you are cashed up for a once in a lifetime trip, there is always Hawaii too. Boardies and surf year round. Just expensive.

[Dead_One]

i can recomend these people, and they are running a trip to costa rico end feb....
they usually runa school just outside newquay, but they do a few trips abroad as well
http://www.kingsurf.co.uk/c.do?category=59

[SwellSC]

Hi Dave

I won a surf camp in the Dominican republic, so I am biased.
The DR has great waves in the 'fun' to 'excellent' range from October to May. The water is always warm enough to surf in board shorts. Besides the surfing there's a ton of other activities you and your son can do: canyoning, diving, kitesurfing and other watersports.


Contact me if you have any questions about the DR,.
Have a good time wherever you end up going to.

[pico_train]

Wish I could win a surf camp somewhere fantastic!