5 Best Surf Destinations for Families in 2021

 The school year is wrapping up, and the summer travel season is in full swing. You may now have the travel bug due to being homebound the last year. Where exactly should you go? What are the best travel destinations for mom, dad, and kids to surf, but also explore? Here are our five best surf destinations for families.

Folly Beach

Okay, okay, we always have to put a plug in for ourselves. Folly is a great family-friendly surf destination. The best way to get the most bang for your buck on Folly is to rent a beach house with your extended family. Bring grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole crew. There are tons of family-friendly activities to do on Folly including surf lessons for the kids, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Other things to do include taking a day trip to downtown Charleston and explore the sites or doing a boat cruise over to Fort Sumter. You really can’t go wrong with a family vacation to Folly.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, FL is one of the best surf spots on the East Coast. It is home to the original Ron Jon Surf Shop, Florida Surf Museum, and 11-time ASP World Tour Champion, Kelly Slater. Cocoa Beach provides great surf from beginners to experts, so it makes a great surf destination for every skill level. It is also only an hour’s drive to Orlando, providing tons of entertainment for the kids.

San Diego

San Diego is one of the premier surf destinations on the West Coast. There are tons of beaches nearby to fit the skill levels of almost any surfer. La Jolla Shores offers the best waves for beginners and kids. There you will find tons of surf schools, lifeguards, ample parking, and facilities. More advanced surfers can check out nearby Black’s Beach. Black’s Beach does require a long hike up the cliff and a lot of extra paddling to get into the lineup but can offer rideable surf well into the 10 to 12-foot realm. When you are done surfing, you can take the kids to the San Diego Zoo or check out all the other attractions San Diego has to offer.

Outer Banks

If your teens are fans of the show Outer Banks, why not take them to the actual Outer Banks (as opposed to Charleston, where the show is actually filmed!). The Outer Banks is considered by many to be the East Coast’s “blue-ribbon surf destination”. The Outer Banks caters to all surf levels and surf preferences. If you are looking for a quieter spot to surf, check out Cape Hatteras, or if you are looking for a more family-friendly beach, check out Kitty Hawk. Kitty Hawk has plenty of parking, dependable surf, and top-notch surf instructors. The Outer Banks is also home to the Wright Brothers Memorial, Avalon Fishing Pier, and the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve, making it a great family-friendly surf destination.

Jersey Shore

Speaking of popular television shows, the Jersey Shore is a popular family-friendly surfing destination. For the best surf along the Shore, check out Sea Isle City, located at the state’s southern elbow. This little gem is great for beginners, as it is quiet, with steady, smaller waves. A trip to the Jersey Shore wouldn’t be complete without hitting up the iconic boardwalks in Atlantic City, Ocean City, Seaside Heights, Wildwood, and Pointe Pleasant.