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Renting a surf house: how to live by the waves with your own crew

There is a kind of morning that only happens in a surf house. Someone checks the forecast before the sky is light, wetsuits come off the rail by the back door, and half the house is soon walking down a sandy path toward the water while the other half sleeps on. A rented surf house gives a group of friends or a family its own base by the ocean, with the freedom to surf when the conditions are right instead of when a timetable says so.

This page collects surf houses around the world, rented out as a whole to one group. The guide below is about the living part: how to choose a house that actually works for surfers, how to share it well, and how to fit in with the town you are staying in.

Why a whole house instead of a room

Surfing does not follow office hours. The best session might be at first light, at midday on a rising tide or in the last hour before dark. When you have a house to yourselves, nobody minds the early alarm, the dripping boards or the sand in the hallway. You can cook when you come back hungry and gather on the terrace to argue about which spot will work tomorrow. Families get space for children while parents take turns in the water.

The features that matter to surfers

A beautiful living room is nice, but surfers judge a house by what happens at the back door. Look carefully at the photos and the description for these details:

• Board storage. A covered rack, a garage or a lockable shed keeps boards out of the sun and out of the living room. Wax melts fast in hot sun.
• An outdoor shower or rinse area. Rinsing off salt and sand outside keeps the house clean and your gear in better shape.
• Drying space. Wetsuits need to dry in the shade, turned inside out, ideally on wide hangers. A covered veranda, a washing line or a well ventilated utility room makes a big difference in humid places.
• Distance to the break. Walking to the water with a board under your arm is the dream. If you need to drive, check that there is space for a roof rack or a van and somewhere to park near the beach.

Planning your days around tides and swell

Living close to the waves means you can be flexible, and the best surf house trips are planned day by day. Most surfers check a swell forecast each evening and again at dawn, looking at wave height, swell period and direction, wind strength and direction, and the tide. Many breaks only work on part of the tide. Offshore winds, which blow from the land toward the sea, usually clean up the waves, which is why early mornings are often best before the afternoon sea breeze arrives.

That is where the tradition of dawn patrol comes from: the first session of the day, paddling out as the light comes up. Staying in a house nearby makes this easy. Prepare everything the night before, then use the middle of the day for eating, resting or exploring.

Sharing the house without falling out

A surf trip with friends can be the best week of the year or a slow collision of habits. A few simple agreements before you arrive help a lot:

• Bedrooms. Decide who sleeps where before you book, and think about early risers versus late sleepers.
• Kitchen and food. Set up a shared kitty for groceries and take turns cooking. Big pots of pasta, curries and grilled fish are classic surf house meals.
• Cleaning. Sand gets everywhere. A daily five minute sweep and a rule that wet gear stays outside will keep the peace and protect your deposit.
• Transport. If you share cars, agree on who drives where and when, so nobody gets stuck waiting at the beach while the waves are pumping somewhere else.

Mixed groups: surfers and non-surfers

Many surf houses host groups where only some people surf, or where skill levels vary from beginners to experienced riders. Choose a location that has something for everyone: a gentle beach break for learners, a more demanding reef or point nearby for the experienced, and plenty to do on land such as hiking, markets, cafes or snorkelling. A house with a garden, a pool or a large terrace keeps everyone happy on flat days, and there will be flat days.

Surf house destinations around the world

Surf houses exist wherever there are consistent waves and a town that welcomes surfers. Some of the best known regions include:

• The Americas: Hawaii's North Shore in its winter swell season, the California coast, Mexico's Pacific coast, the Pacific beaches of Costa Rica, the long lefts of Peru and the surf towns of Brazil.
• Africa and the Atlantic: Morocco's Atlantic coast, the Portuguese coast, the Basque coast of France, and Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, famous for its long right-hand point break.
• Asia and the Pacific: the south and east coasts of Sri Lanka, Bali in Indonesia, the coasts of Japan, Australia's east coast and Raglan in New Zealand, known for its left-hand point breaks.

Seasons matter everywhere, and they are reversed between the hemispheres. A northern winter often brings the biggest swells to north-facing coasts, while the southern winter lights up many breaks in Australia, South Africa and South America. In the tropics, monsoon and wet seasons can change wind patterns and water quality, and some coasts face cyclone or hurricane seasons. Ask the owner which months are best for the waves you want, and which months are better suited to beginners.

Respecting the neighbours and the lineup

A surf house sits in a real neighbourhood, often next to people who have surfed the same break all their lives. Keep noise down late at night and early in the morning, park considerately, and do not leave boards and wet gear spread across shared paths. In the water, follow basic surf etiquette: wait your turn, do not drop in on someone already riding a wave, and paddle wide around the people surfing. At breaks with a strong local community, be humble and choose a less crowded spot if you are unsure of your level.

Travelling with your boards

Use a padded board bag, protect the rails and nose with extra padding or clothing, and remove the fins. Airlines have very different rules and fees for surfboards and sports equipment, so check the policy before you buy your ticket rather than at the check-in desk. If you travel light, ask the owner whether boards can be rented locally or whether the house has a quiver guests can use.

Questions to ask before you book

• How far is the house from the nearest surf break, and can we walk there with boards?
• Is there secure, shaded storage for boards?
• Is there an outdoor shower, a hose or a place to rinse wetsuits?
• Where can wet gear dry, and is it sheltered from rain and sun?
• Which breaks nearby suit beginners, and which are for experienced surfers only?
• What are the best months for waves at this location?
• How many bedrooms and beds are there, and how is the kitchen equipped?
• Are there house rules about noise, guests, parking or cleaning?
• Can we rent boards or wetsuits nearby if we travel without them?
• Is a car needed, and is there room for roof racks or a van?

Finding your surf house on this page

The surf houses on this page are grouped by continent, country and region, so you can start with the coast you have in mind and compare what is available there. Each link goes to the owner's own website, where you can check availability and book directly. Do you rent out a surf house? Add your link for free with the button above, and help the next crew find their home by the waves.