10 days trip in April :: mellow waves & boardshorts

[ale k]

Hi surfing amigos, I am planning a surf trip for about 10 days, in the end of April.

I am really excited as I never travelled that time of the year .. well I guess that’s one more good reason to ask for help from more experienced surfers!

The situations is this...
I travel by myself. I surf with a 7.6 minimalibu and would say that my level is beginner to intermediate. I know safety rules and etiquette, I am able to catch waves up to 4-5 feet, but living about 3hours from the surf (Mediterranean Sea….) makes it hard to practice and progress to next level.
I am looking for mellow waves to practice take off and basic manouvres in a safe and laid back environment.
Criteria for selection are four:
1. waves: at least one or two waves suitable for me, with good consistency and - possibly - low crowd. The best would be having also some variety of spots to keep me challenged.
2. warm weather to surf with boardshorts or springsuit. Having also sunny conditions would be the best!
3. “overall environment”: place must be safe and possibly authentic, with natural /cultural things to do when I’m not surfing. I like trekking, canyoning, kitesurfing or just exploring around the nature, animals, temples… possibly I wouldnt do an "all in" on surfing.
4. Distance from Europe. Ideally I’d travel up to 12-15hrs from home.

I did some research and came out with a shortlist, but of course I would consider other advice that comes from your experience. These are the places I picked so far (the first four are my favs at the moment..) :
• Barbados: seems to have very good waves, but not sure if too big for me. Maybe somehow too developed. Easy to reach from Europe.
• Cabarete Area (Dominican Rep): waves seems ok for me, but not sure about quality and consistency. I have no idea about the non-surfing activities. Relatively short trip.
• Guadeloupe: Have almost no clue. I imagine it more authentic than Barbados and DR, but I am not sure about waves in terms of quality and consistency. Relatively short trip.
• Dominical (CR): From my sources it appears like a long trip, that could be rewarded with a wide range of suitable waves, relatively low crowd factor, laid back vibes, beautiful nature.
• El Salvador (Sunzal or Oriente Salvaje ?): Didn’t find much info. Have no idea about about waves, but I ve heard about some security issues… Long trip.
• Panama – west of Panama City: not sure if waves are suitable for my level, difficult to rent surfboard. I’m not really into it, but must admit that didn’t read much.
• Guerrero - Troncones/La Saladita area (Mexico). Waves are super good, but it’s a long way from home and I was already there twice (Jan/Feb), so would be nice to see something different.
• Maldives: have no idea where to go. I travel by myself and wouldn’t go on a boat trip. I’m not really into it. My concern is to find suitable waves. Also, it seems too much like an “all-in on surfing”, I mean there is not much to do and see other than waves. Better going with buddies.

These are all fantastic places and I really would spend 1 year tripping through all of them, but I must make a choice .. soooo, where would you guys go???

Thank you so much for help!!
Swell bless you
alex

[jaffa1949]

Culture , surf things to do with reach of Europe, Maldives you are right about, only resort based surf spots if you don't want boat trip.
Review Sri Lanka and Indonesia, avoid Bali in regards to frothing crowds, but they are slightly less during April as it is swell shoulder season, range eat or west of Bali and there is much to see.
Check out The Surfing Waves surf spots map.
Check out what the resort offer, some are quite cheap but have tack on cultural or hiking experiences too.
NOTE HERE, do not go on mountain or volcano treks without a local guide, there can be risks of theft and assault.

[ale k]

Thanks Jaffa!! )
Makes sense, but already been twice to Lanka (btw top country!) ..
Been also to Bali and Batu Karas, and most of all I will probably go to Indo next summer (Mentawais?), so for this trip I would go somewhere on the "western side"..
I,'m narrowing choice to Barbados, DomRep, Guadelopue, or CR (Dominical /Malpais) .. have you been to any of those places?
muchas gracias!!

[jaffa1949]

I can’t give you any advice my main destination has been the wilds of Indonesian since 1979 , when many were were wild, rumours of tigers and leopards in the jungle

[ale k]

eheheh .. it must have been super cool man ..
thanks anyway, will ask you advice for the summer trip then!
cheers

[Onelove]

CR is fantastic. It’s hard to call much of Costa beginner waves, but there are so many different breaks so nearby you could find something suitable about every day. My actual recommendation would be Nosara, but the 2nd longest left in the world is an hour from the San Jose airport and if not too big beginner friendly. (Boca Barranca).

Beware of the creeper sets in Costa!

Beware of the creeper sets!!!

[jaffa1949]

eheheh .. it must have been super cool man ..
thanks anyway, will ask you advice for the summer trip then!
cheers

Remember too that when youclock up travel miles and experience you can hand on in the forum and on our maps , no secret spots but good travel friendly places or timely warnings all help us all !

[ale k]

thanks guys!
at the moment i narrowed the choice to Barbados and Dominical Area in CR .. will let you know..

[SwellCabarete]

• Cabarete Area (Dominican Rep): waves seems ok for me, but not sure about quality and consistency. I have no idea about the non-surfing activities. Relatively short trip.

Just to let you know, I am biased since I own a surf business there. April is a pretty consistent month for waves between chest and little overhead.

As far as non-surfing activities: there's tons: other watersports, nighlife, scenic trips, Canyoning , culture etc. all within one hour drive.

Let me know if you have any questions about the north coast of the DR.
Either way have a good trip, wherever you end up going.