DESTINATIONS SURFING ACTIVE & ADVENTURE LEFT:
Niyama Private Islands, Maldives
RIGHT: Surfers’
Paradise, Gold
Coast, Australia
It doesn’t end there. Niyama
Private Islands Maldives lays claim to being the only resort in the archipelago where surfable waves break right onto the island, making it a good option for those wanting to try it without too much of a time commitment. It’s also a good shout for families thanks to several Surf Family Beach Suites, although Vodi surf point and other areas accessible by speedboat make it an option for those who want more of a challenge.
w REST OF THE WORLD Over in Sri Lanka there’s plenty more going on, not least at the new surf-oriented hotel Cantaloupe Veralu Verala, a modern, 18-room boutique set to open late this year in Midigama on the south coast. Aiming to put the island’s pristine waters on the map for those on the hunt for crowd-free waves, it will offer packages in partnership with surf network The Perfect Wave, with a Surf School located on ‘Lazy Left’ – one of the top surf hangouts on the island – offering tuition for beginners through to advanced. Further along the south coast,
there’s Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort. It provides small-group lessons at beach breaks for beginners, and guided surfing trips for intermediates and the more experienced – all within 15 to 30 minutes from the resort – plus kids’ lessons for over-fives. In keeping with the
Bali has gained a reputation worldwide and for good reason, with Padang Padang luring in the real pros
Anantara brand there’s a large spa and wellness centre focused on Ayurvedic treatments, ideal for post-surf relaxation. Of course, no surfing run-down
would be complete without giving Indonesia its dues. Bali has gained itself a reputation worldwide and for good reason, with areas such as Uluwatu drawing in those up for a challenge and Padang Padang Beach luring in the real pros. For beginners, look to neighbouring Kuta and Legian Beaches, or Canggu Beach, close to the Seminyak area. That’s where you’ll find Echo Beach, the new property from Como Hotels and Resorts, which has 119 rooms, suites and villas. Surf lessons are a stone’s throw from the resort, plus there are activities for surfing spouses – think golf trips, walking tours, yoga and pilates. Beyond Bali you’ll find a string of other surf-loving islands in Indonesia, not least Sumba. Home to the world-renowned Occy’s Left wave on Nihi Beach, it’s something of a magnet for
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travelweekly.co.uk 15 February 2018
skilled thrill-seekers, but there are options for beginners too. Nihi Sumba Island has a new beginners’ surf school on the calmer Rua Beach close by, with ‘nursery slope’ waves for those not quite ready for the big ones; expect half-day trips with breakfast or lunch. The ultimate head of the surf kingdom, of course, has to be Australia. With waves both big and small it’s something of a no-brainer for surfers of every
level. Suggest the Gold Coast in Queensland, Bondi Beach in Sydney or laid-back Byron Bay for a plethora of surf schools offering lessons to those who have never been near a wave. Travel 2 offers a commissionable package combining the last two with campervan hire from Sydney to Brisbane – worth recommending to families or groups of youngsters after a real Aussie adventure and willing to dive in at the shallow end.
Best of the rest
South Africa: With a plethora of challenging waves, South Africa is a dream for advanced surfers. Key spots include the Cape Peninsula, Durban and Jeffreys Bay, which hosts the World Surf League’s Annual J-Bay Open. Oman: “Popular surf spots on the Omani coastline include Sur, Ras Al Hadd and Salalah, as well as the island of Masirah, where
Oman’s first surf school was set up,” says Maitha Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary for the Oman Ministry of Tourism. Costa Rica: Sandwiched between two oceans, Costa Rica offers surf-friendly beaches including Playa Tamarindo and Santa Teresa (below) on the Pacific coast, and Playa Cocles in Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean side.
PICTURES: STEVEWYPER; SHUTTERSTOCK; GOLD MEDAL
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