How to Travel with a Surfboard

Traveling with a surfboard, especially over long distances, can seem daunting. While it might be tempting to just rent a surfboard at your destination, there are situations where bringing your own board is essential. Perhaps you’re moving to another state or country. Or, maybe you happen to have found the surfboard of your dreams on vacation.

Sometimes, traveling with your surfboard isn’t just necessary—it’s the best option. Ordering a custom board and having it shipped to a distant location can be expensive. Depending on where your board is and where you’re headed, there are ways to ensure it safely and effectively travels with you.

Regardless of the situation, it’s important to familiarize yourself with different travel methods with a surfboard. Our pro tips will help you turn this potentially stressful experience into a positive one. Before you pack your sunscreen and board shorts, make sure your surfboard is travel-ready with these helpful tips, tricks, hacks, and recommendations.  

Pre-Trip Planning 

When booking a trip, it’s important to check the airline’s surfboard policies. Surfboards are typically classified as sports equipment or, in the case of longboards, as oversized equipment. Certain airlines may impose extra fees, size restrictions, and special handling procedures for surfboards. It’s highly recommended to book your surfboard as sports or additional baggage online when purchasing your plane ticket. This can help you avoid higher fees at the airport and save time during check-in and baggage claim.

Airline policies for traveling with surfboards can vary widely, but most major airlines set a maximum weight limit of 32 kg (70 lbs) for any checked baggage. While most surfboards, including longboards, weigh much less than this, it’s important to keep the weight limit in mind if you’re planning to travel with more than one board.

Among the most surfboard-friendly airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia stand out. Qantas allows surfboards up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) without charging extra fees, as long as they fall within the checked baggage limit of your ticket. Singapore Airlines is also accommodating, permitting surfboards as part of the free checked baggage allowance, provided they meet size and weight restrictions. In surf-friendly destinations like Australia and Indonesia, airline personnel are often more experienced in handling surfboards.

On the stricter side, budget airlines such as Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, and EasyJet are known for their stringent policies. These airlines often charge high fees for surfboards, which can significantly increase travel costs. Additionally, their size limitations are more restrictive. While budget airlines offer low base fares, they often make up for it with high charges for oversized or special items like surfboards. Simply put, the smaller the plane, the less room for baggage and equipment. If possible, choose airlines that don’t charge extra fees for sporting equipment, and try to book nonstop flights when traveling with a surfboard.

Choosing the Right Surfboard Bag 

A surfboard bag is an essential item when traveling with a surfboard, whether by plane or car. There are many types of professionally recommended surfboard bags, but the most common are soft-top cases, which can fit either a single board or up to 3 or 4 boards. In addition to protecting your surfboard during travel, these bags also shield your board from everyday damage, such as dings or sun exposure.

Soft-top cases are lightweight, flexible, and suitable for both day-to-day use and long-distance travel. They offer good protection against dings and scratches, which can be difficult and expensive to repair. The cost of a quality soft-top case typically ranges from around $70 (budget-friendly) to $450 (high-end). Hardtop cases are more durable, but can be more difficult to travel with due to the weight and extra bulk. Wheels are a big advantage when traveling through airports, so if possible, try to look for a surfboard bag with wheels. 

These days, there are many options for buying a surfboard bag online. No matter where you decide to shop, here are some key aspects to look for:

Padding and Protection: The thickness of the padding is crucial for protecting your surfboard during travel. Look for bags with at least a few inches of foam padding, especially around the nose and tail. Heavy-duty padding is essential for air travel or long trips. If you plan to bring multiple boards, make sure your surfboard bag has dividers between the boards to prevent them from knocking against each other during travel.

Material and Durability: The outer material should be tough and water-resistant. An SPF fabric is also important to protect against sun damage, as prolonged sun exposure can harm your surfboard and melt all the wax off the deck of the board. Materials like hemp are not only more environmentally friendly than synthetics like polyester or nylon, but they also resist tearing and offer sun protection.

Size and Fit: Ensure the bag fits your surfboard snugly and isn’t too loose. Bags come in different lengths and widths, so measure your board or check the dimensions before purchasing. A bag that fits the size and shape of your surfboard reduces movement inside the bag, minimizing potential damage.

Ventilation: To prevent mold and mildew, some bags feature ventilation systems or mesh panels that allow air circulation. This is especially important in humid climates like Costa Rica or if traveling from one different climate to another. 

Zippers and Closures: Heavy-duty, high-quality zippers are essential, particularly in saltwater environments. Look for reinforced zippers that can withstand frequent use and exposure to the elements. If your zipper gets stuck, zipper grease can be used as a lubricant. In a pinch, there are simple hacks to unstick a zipper. 

Handles and Straps: To avoid dropping your surfboard while it’s in the bag, look for bags with strong handles and secure straps. Padded shoulder straps that can be adjusted are a bonus. If your arms get sore while carrying your surfboard, shoulder straps that allow the bag to be worn like a backpack can be a huge advantage, especially if the bag does not contain wheels. 

Storage Compartments: Some surfboard bags offer extra storage for fins, wetsuits, and other accessories. Pockets and compartments keep everything organized and accessible, making it easier to store extra items when traveling.

Weight: While heavily padded bags offer more protection, they can also be bulkier. Consider the bag’s weight if you’ll be carrying it long distances, especially on flights, due to the weight restrictions on checked baggage mentioned earlier.

At Bodhi, we like to prioritize environmental sustainability. With that in mind, here are some recommendations for surfboard bags that are more eco-friendly.

A brand based in the United States called Wave Tribe offers board bags made from hemp, which offsets the serious environmental damage caused by synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester. Sizes range from 6’7 shortboards to 9’6 longboards and come in colors of blue and sand brown. Aside from being affordable and versatile (offering both day bags and travel bags), they look great, and they keep your board 10 degrees cooler than the standard plastic board bags. Some models have wheels and can fit up to four bags, making them ideal for all types of travel. 

Into Blue and Green is a California-based brand that uses recycled materials to create their surfboard bags. This brand has free domestic shipping to inland USA residents, and their bags are made from old used sailboat sails that would have otherwise been thrown away or otherwise destined from landfills. Their bags are super stylish, incorporating really cool designs such as the paradise bags that fit surfboards ranging anywhere from 5’11 to 10’ long. 

Packing Your Surfboard for Travel 

Now that you’ve picked out your surfboard bag, the next step is knowing how to pack your surfboard for different types of travel. 

Packing your surfboard properly ensures it arrives at your destination in perfect condition. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Rinse and dry your board to remove salt and sand before you place your board in the bag. 
2. Remove the fins and store them in a padded fin pocket.
3. Wrap the board in bubble wrap or a padded sock (a surfboard cover) for extra protection, paying special attention to the nose and tail.
4. Place the board in the bag carefully, making sure it fits well.
5. Try to fit in some extra padding (like soft towels or clothes) by wrapping them around the board, if there’s enough space.
6. Secure the zippers and check the bag for any weak spots before you go on your way. 

The most common way to travel with a surfboard via car is to strap the surfboard (or multiple surfboards) on a car’s surfboard racks. There are many good brands of surfboard racks that surfers can purchase for their cars. Some cars do not have the right type of racks to support surfboards, or sometimes, racks cannot be installed on a car (for instance, on rental cars). In this case, soft surfboard racks can be bought to be used to transport surfboards on top of a car. They are often cheaper than hard racks and are very easy to install. 

Here is a quick Bodhi Surf School video that shows you exactly how to strap a surfboard safely and securely on the top of your car:

If you are packing your board in a bag, it is important to first remove the fins from the surfboard. Here is another Bodhi Surf School video that shows you exactly how to remove the fins from a surfboard: 

We also recommend labeling your bag clearly with contact information, which includes your full name, address back home, destination address, and an emergency contact number, along with flight numbers that you will be using during traveling. Having a soft lock that makes sure your bag cannot be opened is a good idea as well. 

When checking your surfboard bag, you can also use Apple Air Tags to track your bag. Make sure to turn on your phone’s Bluetooth, then place the AirTag next to your phone so it pairs before you check your bag at the airport. If you use an AirTag, it is best to place it inside a pocket or smaller component so that it remains hidden and discreet. 

Final Tips for Smooth Surfboard Travel 

Traveling with a surfboard during off-peak times offers several benefits that can make your trip smoother and less stressful. Airports tend to be less crowded during these times, leading to shorter lines at check-in and security, and reducing the risk of damage from rushed baggage handling. Additionally, off-peak flights are often less expensive, allowing you to save money for surf gear or extra adventures.

In Costa Rica, the off-season typically coincides with the rainy season, which runs from around June to mid-November. This usually means cheaper flights and less crowded roads, especially from August through November. While June and July are busy summer months in North America, resulting in crowded airports and flights, the rainy season here offers plenty of opportunities for road trip adventures and some great waves to catch. Check out one of our blogs that explains everything you need to know about Costa Rica in the rainy season. 

We’d like to offer some final words of encouragement by suggesting a few ways to help the Earth when traveling. Booking nonstop flights whenever possible not only makes the travel experience smoother, but it also uses much less fuel per passenger than connecting flights. These days, Google Flights even shows the emissions amount for different flights, making it easier to choose a more eco-friendly option.

When possible, opt for public transportation. Buses and trains often have plenty of room for surfboards and other equipment, making them a convenient and sustainable choice. Finally, we encourage you to support locally-owned businesses that prioritize environmental sustainability.

Now that you’re equipped with tips for traveling with your surfboard, it’s time to hit the waves and enjoy your new destination. If you’re thinking of Costa Rica as that new destination, please check out our tips on flying to Costa Rica. 

Happy traveling!