The Ultimate Surf Holiday: Comparing Top Destinations with Solid Surf House
Planning the perfect surf holiday can be overwhelming, especially with so many incredible destinations to choose from. At Solid Surf House, we’ve done the hard work for you, comparing our top locations based on a variety of factors that matter most to surfers and travelers alike. Whether you’re seeking world-class waves, vibrant nightlife, or serene settings for relaxation, here’s what you need to know about each destination.
Table of Contents
Categories
- Surfing: Quality, variety, and accessibility of surf spots.
- Night Life: Vibrancy of nightlife options, including bars and entertainment venues.
- Relaxation & Wellness: Availability of tranquil activities, wellness offerings, and serene settings.
- Exploration & Adventure: Opportunities to explore local culture, historical sites, natural landscapes, and engage in thrilling activities.
- Water Sports: Non-surfing water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
- Culture: Richness of cultural experiences, including traditional arts, music, and customs.
- Restaurants Quality, variety, and hygienic standards of dining options in the area, with emphasis on the high standard of in-house dinners at Solid Surf House.
- Traffic/Stress:* Level of congestion and overall stress, with higher scores indicating less stress.
- Wildlife: Abundance and accessibility of wildlife and natural habitats.
- Pristineness: Degree of natural, unspoiled environments and preservation of natural beauty.
Morocco
- Surfing: 9.0 (Great variety of world class surf spots suitable for all levels)
- Night Life: 7.5 (Moderate nightlife with vibrant spots, especially in major cities)
- Relaxation & Wellness: 8.5 (Beach resorts, hammams, and serene settings)
- Exploration & Adventure: 8.5 (Desert safaris, mountain trekking, and rich cultural history)
- Water Sports: 8.0 (Kitesurfing, windsurfing along the coast)
- Culture: 9.0 (Rich traditional arts, music, and culinary experiences)
- Restaurants: 8.0 (Eating out is great but can have mixed hygiene standards in some areas; however, a worry free prepared dinner is included by our well-managed in-house chefs at Solid Surf House)
- Traffic/Stress: 7.0 (Moderate stress in urban areas)
- Wildlife: 7.5 (Limited, primarily in desert and mountainous regions)
- Pristineness: 8.0 (A mix of well-preserved UNESCO areas and developed areas)
- Experience Score: 8.3
Pros:
- Offers a great variety of world class surf spots for all levels.
- Rich cultural experiences with serene settings for relaxation.
- Good variety of activities with the assurance of high-standard in-house dining.
Cons:
- Nightlife is moderate and mainly concentrated in cities and tourism areas.
- Mixed hygiene standards when eating out.
- Urban areas can be stressful with moderate traffic.
Suitable For:
Travelers looking for a mix of surf, culture, and relaxation, with added adventure in exploring historical sites and desert landscapes. Perfect for those who appreciate cultural immersion and prefer the consistency of high-quality, hygienic dining at Solid Surf House.
Canggu
- Surfing: 9.5 (World-renowned surf spots with consistent waves all year round)
- Night Life: 10.0 (Vibrant nightlife with a wide range of bars and (beach)clubs)
- Relaxation & Wellness: 8.5 (High-end spas, wellness centers, serene beaches, and spiritual retreats)
- Exploration & Adventure: 8.0 (Cultural temples, rice terraces, and volcano trekking)
- Water Sports: 8.5 (Diving, paddleboarding, and water sports)
- Culture: 7.5 (Blend of traditional arts with modern influences)
- Restaurants: 8.0 (Mixed hygiene standards between street food and high-end restaurants; in-house dining is optional but ensures consistently high standards, with many opting in frequently for the comfort of a home-cooked meal)
- Traffic/Stress: 5.5 (High traffic congestion and busy streets)
- Wildlife: 5.5 (Limited wildlife due to urbanization; better experiences are found outside of Canggu)
- Pristineness: 6.5 (Rapid development has reduced the natural pristine areas)
- Experience Score: 8.5
Pros:
- Offers world-class surfing and excellent nightlife options.
- High-quality wellness and relaxation options.
- Diverse exploration opportunities with consistently high standards for in-house dining, giving the comfort of a home-cooked meal.
Cons:
- High traffic congestion can be stressful.
- Mixed hygiene standards for street food and local “warung” food, though there are plenty of high-end options with good standards among local & international concept restaurants.
- Wildlife experiences are limited due to urbanization.
Suitable For:
Young travellers and surf enthusiasts who enjoy vibrant nightlife and want a blend of luxury modern comforts with cultural experiences. Ideal for those who value high-energy activities and appreciate the option of excellent in-house dining at Solid Surf House.
Sri Lanka
- Surfing: 8.5 (Good surf spots, ideal for beginners to intermediates up to advanced)
- Night Life: 7.5 (Modest but growing and fun nightlife scene)
- Relaxation & Wellness: 8.5 (Ayurveda treatments, tranquil resorts, and peaceful beaches)
- Exploration & Adventure: 8.5 (Safari tours, rainforest trekking, and ancient temples)
- Water Sports: 8.0 (Diverse marine life, suitable for snorkeling and diving)
- Culture: 9.5 (Deep-rooted cultural traditions, festivals, and arts)
- Restaurants: 8.0 (Mixed hygiene standards when eating out; a safe, well-managed dinner is included in-house at Solid Surf House)
- Traffic/Stress: 7.0 (Moderate congestion in cities, with a more relaxed atmosphere in rural areas)
- Wildlife: 9.0 (Abundant wildlife in national parks and coastal areas)
- Pristineness: 8.0 (Well-preserved natural beauty, though some areas are more developed)
- Experience Score: 8.3
Pros:
- Rich cultural heritage with plenty of exploration opportunities.
- Great wildlife and nature experiences.
- Relaxing wellness options and high-standard in-house dining for peace of mind.
Cons:
- Mixed hygiene standards when dining out.
- Nightlife is modest but growing.
- Some traffic congestion in cities, though rural areas are more relaxed.
Suitable For:
Travelers who want to immerse themselves in rich culture, explore wildlife, and enjoy a blend of adventure, relaxation and a occasional party. Ideal for those seeking a balanced surf holiday with cultural and natural explorations, along with reliable in-house dining at Solid Surf House.
Mentawai
- Surfing: 11 out of 10 (Exceptional world-class surf conditions, belong to the best in the world)
- Night Life: 2.5 (Very limited, primarily within resorts and surf camps)
- Relaxation & Wellness: 9.5 (Unspoiled natural settings, ideal for unwinding and disconnecting)
- Exploration & Adventure: 9.0 (Surf adventures, lagunes – mangrove – jungle treks, waterfalls, and cultural native village visits)
- Water Sports: 8.5 (Pristine beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving)
- Culture: 9.0 (Strong preservation of traditional customs and way of life)
- Restaurants: 5.0 (Very limited options with mostly no clear insight into locally managed hygiene standards; in-house dining at Solid Surf House is of high standard.)
- Traffic/Stress: 9.5 (No congestion, extremely peaceful environment)
- Wildlife: 8.0 (Unique marine life and diverse jungle species)
- Pristineness* 10.0 (Highly pristine, largely untouched natural environments, beaches and tropical rain forest)
- Experience Score: 8.3
Pros:
- World-class surfing with pristine natural environments.
- Strong cultural preservation and minimal stress.
- High-standard in-house dining ensures quality in a remote location.
Cons:
- Very limited nightlife and dining options with mixed hygiene standards outside the surf house.
- Isolated location with fewer modern amenities.
- Limited opportunities for external dining.
Suitable For:
Dedicated surfers and ocean / nature lovers looking for an almost off-the-grid experience with minimal distractions. Ideal for those seeking to surf and relax, do watersports, sunbath, connect deeply with nature and culture, with the reassurance of a excellent accommodation and in-house dining and hygiene standards provided by Solid Surf House.
Conclusion
Each location offers unique advantages depending on what you’re seeking from your surf holiday, with the consistent reassurance of high standards and excellent in-house dining provided by Solid Surf House:
– Morocco is ideal for those who want to go as far (culture) as possible but yet stay close to Europe, appreciate a blend of surf, culture, and relaxation, with added adventure in exploring historical sites and desert landscapes. The presence of a high-standard accommodation surf house that includes in-house dining ensures that even in areas with mixed food hygiene standards, guests can enjoy their meals with a peace of mind.
– Canggu is perfect for mostly the younger, energetic travellers who want world-class surf paired with vibrant nightlife and modern amenities mixed with the local culture. What can you not find and do on this island ?! The assurance of a opt-in consistently high-standard in-house dining makes it a top choice for those who value both the excitement of Bali and the reliability of quality food.
– Sri Lanka is best suited for those who want to immerse themselves in culture, explore natural beauty and enjoy a well-rounded surf experience. With one of the best facilitated and high standard surf houses in the area the inclusion of safe and high-quality in-house dining at Solid Surf House provides a reliable option in a region where dining standards can vary.
– Mentawai is tailored for the dedicated surfers and ocean / nature enthusiasts or those looking to truly unwind, disconnect and immerse themselves in a pristine natural environment and yet still want to enjoy a A1 luxury stay in the Mentawais. The Villa itself is small but might and with limited dining options outside of the surf house, the assurance of a excellent in-house dining at Solid Surf House is a significant advantage for those seeking an adventurous yet comfortable experience.
By carefully considering what each destination has to offer and the consistent high standards provided by Solid Surf House, you can choose the surf holiday that best aligns with your preferences and travel goals.
