5 Easy and Cheap Winter Surf Destinations

Spring is just around the corner, but for many it seems like it can’t get here fast enough. If you are suffering from the winter blues, are longing to get back on your board, and just can’t wait for spring, here are five easy and cheap winter surf destinations.

New Smyrna Beach, FL

New Smyrna Beach is a less than six hour drive from Folly Beach, making an ideal weekend surf trip. Water temperatures currently are 60 to 65 degrees with air temperatures in the mid-70’s. Surf height is around three to four feet, or about waist high. While these aren’t the biggest waves on the planet, they are still a bit better than the one to two feet waves we have at Folly.

You can grab an AirBnB for the weekend for less than $100 per night and travel for the cost of about a tank of gas each way, making this a very affordable winter surf destination.

Rincon, Puerto Rico

If you are looking to escape the US, but you don’t have time to wait on a passport, consider traveling to Rincon, Puerto Rico. Rincon is a well-known surfing destinations, so there are sure to be others there taking advantage of a winter surf trip.

Current surf height is between two and three feet, with water temperatures between 81 and 83 degrees and air temperatures around 81 degrees. No wetsuit is needed this time of year in Rincon.

Traveling to Rincon from Charleston is relatively affordable with flights costing less than $400 roundtrip. You will have to fly into San Jose and make the 2 hour drive to Rincon. You can also find plenty of AirBnB’s for under $100 per night as well.

San Diego, California

If you are looking to stay in the continental US and don’t mind a longer plane ride, San Diego makes for a great winter surf destinations. For beginners, we recommend hitting up Pacific Beach. The wave breaks are soft, making it the perfect place to learn to surf.

For the more advanced, we recommend La Jolla. La Jolla has a gorge, known as Scripps Canyon, that drops 120 feet deep and causing waves to bend and shift. The surf at La Jolla is very unpredictable and can cause sets to break as high as 25 feet, which is why it is not recommended for novice surfers.

Water temperatures in the area are around 57 to 59 degrees, with air temperatures in the low 60’s, so you may want to pack a light wetsuit.

Flights to San Diego from Charleston average around $400 this time of year with AirBnB’s costing about $100 per night, making it a relatively affordable winter surf destination.

Playa Maderas, Nicaragua

Playa Maderas is about a three hour drive from Managua and ten minutes from the popular town of San Juan Del Sur in Nicaragua. It is a great year round surfing destination and is an ideal destination for both experienced surfers and beginners. Surf height ranges from two to three feet. Water temperatures range from 75 to 77 degrees and air temperatures are around 85 degrees, making it a great escape from the cold, dreary winter.

Flights to Managua from Charleston can be a bit pricey averaging around $650, but accommodations are pretty affordable with AirBnB’s available for less than $100 a night.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Puerto Escondido is a well-known surfing destination and the top surf spot in Mexico. If you are an advanced surfer and looking for a challenge then hit up Playa Zicatela. Playa Zicatela is not for the inexperienced, with huge, powerful, tubular waves known for shattering surfboards. If you aren’t quite up for the challenge, or just looking for a more laid back surfing experience try La Punta, Carrizalillo, and Playa Marinero.

Water temperatures in Puerto Escondido this time of year range from 82 to 84 degrees with air temperatures around 83 degrees, making this an ideal winter surf destination. Flights cost about $650 with AirBnB’s being super affordable at less than $50 per night, some as cheap as $15 per night.