For me, travel has always been about more than simply ticking places off a list.

It’s about experiences. It’s about freedom, adventure, getting outdoors, trying something new and creating memories that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

And if you love surfing, choosing where to travel can make an enormous difference to the kind of experience you have.

A surf destination isn't necessarily just about finding the biggest waves or the most famous break. The best destination for you depends on what you actually want from your trip — your surfing ability, who you're travelling with, the type of adventure you enjoy and what you want to experience when you're not in the water.

So, before you book that flight, here are 5 things I'd consider when choosing a surf destination.

1. What type of surfing experience are you looking for?

This might sound obvious, but it's probably the first question to ask.

Are you a complete beginner looking for somewhere friendly and safe to learn?

Are you an intermediate surfer wanting consistent waves where you can build your confidence?

Or are you an experienced surfer looking for more challenging conditions and somewhere that will really test your ability?

Different destinations offer very different surfing experiences. Some are known for mellow beach breaks and surf schools, while others are famous for powerful reef breaks and bigger waves.

And there's nothing wrong with choosing the easier option.

In fact, if you're travelling with friends or family who have different abilities, finding somewhere with a variety of breaks can make the trip much more enjoyable for everyone.

Think about the surfing experience you actually want, not simply the destination that looks impressive on Instagram.

2. When are you going?

Surf destinations can change dramatically depending on the time of year.

The same beach can offer completely different conditions from one season to another, so it's worth researching the surf season, swell direction, wind, tides and typical weather before booking.

You also need to think about what the conditions mean for you.

Maybe you're happy surfing smaller waves in warm water and spending the rest of the day exploring. Perhaps you're travelling specifically for bigger winter swells.

Or maybe you're taking your children or a partner who doesn't surf and want a destination where there's plenty to do away from the beach.

Timing isn't just about getting the best waves. It's about finding the right combination of surf, weather, activities and atmosphere for the trip you want.

3. What else do you want to do?

This is one of the things I think can easily be overlooked when planning a surf trip.

Unless you're heading away purely to surf from sunrise to sunset, think about what else you want from your destination.

Do you want to:

• Go hiking and exploring?

• Explore local towns and markets and try local foods?

• Go diving or snorkelling?

• Fish?

• Take boat trips?

• Wildlife watch?

• Explore by road or a road trip?

• Relax on the beach?

• Experience local culture?

• Try other local outdoor adventures?

  
  

For me, this is where travel becomes really interesting. I love the idea of a trip built around experiences, rather than simply booking a hotel and hoping the rest falls into place.

Maybe your perfect trip is surfing in the morning, exploring somewhere new in the afternoon and eating somewhere local in the evening.

Or perhaps you're a keen surfer travelling with someone who loves sea fishing.

Why shouldn't the trip work for both of you?

4. Who are you travelling with?

Your ideal surf destination might be completely different depending on whether you're travelling solo, with friends, as a couple or with your family.

If you're travelling with children, you might prioritise:

• Easy beach access

• Beginner-friendly surf

• Family accommodation

• Other activities

• Restaurants and facilities nearby

• Safety and convenience

Travelling as a couple could mean looking for something completely different, perhaps a combination of surfing, good food, adventure and somewhere relaxing to unwind afterwards.

And if you're travelling with a group of friends, you may want a destination that offers different activities so everyone can create their own version of the trip.

There isn't one perfect surf destination.

There's the destination that's right for you.

5. What kind of memories do you want to come home with?

This may be my favourite question to ask.

Forget the accommodation for a moment. Forget the airport. Forget how many stars the hotel has.

What do you actually want to remember?

Maybe it's catching your first proper wave. Surfing a new break with friends.

Watching the sunrise from the water. A road trip between coastal towns.

Fresh seafood after a day in the ocean. Learning to dive. A sea-fishing trip. Watching wildlife. Finding a completely unexpected beach.

Or it could be simply having the freedom to wake up with nowhere you absolutely have to be.

For me, those are the things that make travel worthwhile.

And sometimes the best trips aren't necessarily the ones with the most activities. They're the ones where the activities, people and places all fit together in a way that feels right for you.

This is where Tailor Your Travel comes in

This is also the thinking behind Tailor Your Travel.

Travel that is built around you and the experiences you love, rather than simply choosing a destination from a list.

For example, imagine you're a keen surfer travelling with a partner who loves sea fishing.

Instead of simply looking for a "surf holiday", why not create a trip that combines both?

Perhaps surfing, sea fishing, diving, road-tripping, exploring and relaxing — all built around the people travelling and what they actually want to experience.

That's the idea behind Tailor Your Travel.

You tell us what you love. We help shape the trip around it.

Whether that's a surf adventure, a fishing trip, a road trip, an active escape or a combination of experiences, the aim is to help create travel that feels personal rather than packaged.

And for me, that's what travel is all about.

Travel should fit your life and not the other way around

I think it's easy to get caught up in the idea that there's a particular way we're supposed to travel. The must-see tourist destinations or our bucket lists or maybe The "top 10" places everyone says you need to visit.

But perhaps your perfect trip isn't on somebody else's list. Perhaps it's a place where you can surf good waves, eat great food, explore somewhere new and spend time doing something you're genuinely passionate about, or it's a road trip with no rigid itinerary.

Perhaps even it's an adventure built around the ocean or it's something completely different.

Your travel should reflect what makes you feel alive.

That's why I love the idea of tailor-made travel because instead of starting with "Where should I go?", you can start with:

"What do I want to experience?"

Then build the journey around that.

Thinking about your next surf adventure?

If you're dreaming about a surf trip but aren't sure where to start, Tailor Your Travel can help you explore the possibilities and shape a trip around the experiences you love.

From surf and sea adventures to road trips, fishing, diving and more, the aim is simple:

Travel your way. Experience more. Create memories that are yours.

And who knows perhaps your next adventure will start with nothing more than a board, a bag and a desire to see where the road takes you.

Explore with Eat Clean, Health & Dream.