Surf Trip Packing List: 11 Essential Items for a Tropical Getaway

1. Garmin GPSMAP 67i

Nothing can ruin a surf trip quite like getting lost for hours on back roads. Unfortunately, with limited (read: non-existent) cell coverage and minimal road signage in Costa Rica, it’s nearly impossible not to get lost at some point on your journey. To save yourself time and hassle, invest in a satellite GPS device like the Garmin GPSMAP 67.

The MVP of our trip, the GPSMAP 67 maintained perfect coverage (whereas our phones faltered immediately) thanks to its ability to access multiple global navigation satellite systems. We were impressed by the TopoActive North America map (which includes coverage of Costa Rica); it was accurate even in some of the more remote areas we explored.

The GPSMAP 67 is available either with or without Garmin’s inReach Technology ($100 more), which allows you to send messages, share your location, or even send an SOS alert through the device, no cell service required. Bluetooth capabilities allow you to control the device via the Garmin Explore app on your phone, and its incredible battery life of 180 hours in GPS mode (or 840 hours in expedition mode) meant we never had to plug it in.

[Starting at $500; garmin.com]

2. Roark Accomplice Missing Link 42L Bag

When on a surf trip to the tropics, your stuff is bound to get wet. While the rainy season (roughly May to November) is especially sloppy, a deluge from an afternoon thunderstorm is a regular occurrence in any month. For that reason, you’ll want a water-resistant bag to lug around your gear. The Roark Accomplice Missing Link 42L Bag checks that box and many more.

The roll top closure combined with a waterproof fabric and welded seams kept water out, while the buckled clasps on the sides kept things compact, so I could use it as a carry-on. Ventilated backpack straps made it easier to carry around on longer treks, and a spacious main compartment provided ample room for gear. Need more space? Daisy chain webbing on the exterior allows you to attach additional bags (like Roark’s Accomplice Stow) for efficient travel.

[$159; roark.com]

3. O’Neill Hyperfreak Tech Trvlr Nomad 20” Boardshorts

Preventing chafing and feeling comfortable in the water is essential on a surf trip. I brought several boardshorts to Costa Rica, but the O’Neill Hyperfreak Tech Trvlr Nomads were my go-to pair. Their combination of a four-way stretch fabric, laser cut hem, and welded seams eliminated rash or clinginess, allowing me to focus on the waves.

In addition to their excellent fabric and construction, the grip-coated drawcord stayed secure and eliminated bulk for a comfortable fit. The shorts’ antimicrobial treatment worked as advertised, keeping the funk at bay despite consecutive days of wear. Finally, the shorts pack into their own side zip pocket for easy storage in transit.

[$70; us.oneill.com]

4. Bajío Ozello

The tropical sun isn’t just hot, it’s also bright and produces lots of glare, especially on the water. A good pair of sunglasses is necessary to protect your eyes, and the Bajío Ozello shades were up to the challenge on my trip.

This top-of-the-line pair provides full coverage thanks to an extra wide temple design that blocks light from sneaking in at the sides. The polarized lenses deliver a crisp view, helped in part by Bajío’s proprietary LAPIS technology that blocks blue light to improve clarity and reduce glare. The rubber nose pads and temple tips keep these firmly in place, while seven lens colors and three frame colors give you plenty of options to match your style.

[$209; bajiosunglasses.com]

5. SQiN for Him The Sunscreen

A high-quality, reef-safe sunscreen is a must-have in the tropics, and this sunscreen from SQiN for Him works wonders. Coming from a premium men’s skincare brand, this SPF 30 mineral sunscreen has been carefully formulated to both protect and rejuvenate your skin.

Natural zinc oxide effectively blocks the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, while antioxidant-rich nutrients including red raspberry seed oil, green tea extract, and aloe vera leaf further protect your skin. Most importantly, the formulation is reef-safe and free from parabens, phthalates, and other nasty chemicals found in cheaper sunscreens.

[$30; sqinforhim.com]

6. Quiksilver Ocean Elastic 18” Amphibian Shorts

While boardshorts are great for surfing, you’ll want to change into something more casual when heading into town. Personally, I found myself spending a lot of time in the Quiksilver Ocean Elastic Amphibian Shorts. Versatility is the calling card of these shorts, as they offer a comfortable solution for both land and water.

The four-way stretch poly-cotton fabric with a hydrophobic treatment offered respectable performance for splashing around in the water, while an elastic drawcord kept things comfortable and casual. Four pockets provided plenty of space for carrying personal items when cruising to the cantina—a welcome feature that boardshorts typically lack. While Quiksilver’s traditional boardshorts offer better performance in the surf, the Ocean Elastic Amphibians are the call for those who favor maximum versatility.

[$56; quiksilver.com]

7. Infinity B-Line SUP Surfboard

When going on a surf trip, one of the first questions to ask yourself is whether to travel with your favorite board or to rent (or buy) a board when you get there. There are pros and cons for each option, but no matter which you choose, you want to be happy with the board you’re riding—a surf trip with a beater board is a major bummer. As someone who prefers SUP surfing (apologies in advance to regular surfers), I managed to score a premium rental with the Infinity B-Line SUP surfboard (ask around to find Rio if you’re in Nosara; he’s the man to rent from).

Infinity makes some of the best paddleboards in the industry, and Dave Boehne’s innovative board designs consistently push the envelope of SUP performance. The B-Line is a perfect example as it offers an ideal blend of stability, speed, and maneuverability. The pointed nose punches through whitewater with ease and the linear body provides excellent stability, but the tail is where things get exciting. The tail cuts in at the fins to create a “wing,” and combined with speed channels underneath and an enhanced tail rocker, it provides impressive maneuverability and speed for both tight pocket turns and racy down-the-line sections.

[$2,295; infinitysurf.com]

8. Leatherman Wave+

When traveling in remote areas, it’s always smart to be prepared—so toss a multitool into your kit. Leatherman is the gold standard of multitools, and while the brand has many different models, the Wave+ should have everything you need for a surf trip. With 18 tools in one handy package, you’ll find yourself whipping this out all the time to handle random tasks, from tightening screws to opening beers.

[$120; leatherman.com]

9. Surf Indonesia The Surfers First Aid Kit

Speaking of being prepared, a good first aid kit is another essential item for any surf trip. While you can make your own kit, this one from Surf Indonesia is specifically designed to remedy common surf injuries and prevent infections from reef cuts, sea urchin spines, gashes, and more.

In addition to typical first aid items like gauze, alcohol wipes, butterfly stitches, and bandages, The Surfers First Aid Kit includes less common items like iodine wipes, precision tweezers, insect bite relief wipes, and even a sea urchin spine probe. This kit could very well save your surf trip (or even your life), and 98 bucks is a small price to pay for that peace of mind.

[$98; surfindonesia.com]

10. Sea to Summit Traveller Soft Racks

Don’t make the mistake of showing up with your boards and having no way to strap them down while driving. Most rental cars won’t come with roof racks, so you’ll need to bring your own solution. While you can create a makeshift rack with foam tubing and camp straps, this Sea to Summit Traveller Soft Rack is a much more secure and reliable option.

Designed to carry everything from a kayak to a surfboard, this pair of burly straps is built for the long haul. They have grippy bases and heavy die-cast cam buckles to keep your board(s) securely in place on top of the car. Once the straps are secure, a removable daisy chain provides the option of multiple tie-down points—especially helpful when your crew is bouncing down the road with a sky-high board stack.

[$150; seatosummit.com]