The World’s Most EXPENSIVE Surf Destinations…

Hey guys! Welcome to another episode. I know I speak a hell of a lot about budget surf trip destinations on this channel, but in this video, we’re taking a look at some of the world’s most expensive surf destinations! Please let me know of your experiences of visiting these places, and the dent it put in your bank balance haha!!
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[@daviddavidaycock9328]

Dan, you nailed with Costa Rica! I live in Pavones and my Friends in North America think that I’m getting everything for free. 30 years ago, cheap, now, EXPENSIVE!

[@NadiKyle]

I was blown away how much they were charging for food down there

[@willkelly7963]

Ive got family in punta banco, Pavones has exploded in price. Even getting food or beer from any of the sodas have gotten kinda gnarly. Almendros is my go to for a quick casado tho lol, love that place.

[@DanHarmon123]

Hahah! Yeah not that cheap there at all!!

[@robertcleveland2038]

I was there very late 70’s not many white people very friendly and cheap More Americans found it and it went to shit 😩😩😩😩

[@richardmayo6616]

Best way to surf SW France is to live out of your car/van. Loads of picnic areas and car parks on the beach, just don't let the cops catch you cooking outside! Most places have showers and toilets. Gets busier and more commercial the further south you go .Not sure what the campsites cost these days but France has good standards and sites have to show prices and facilities at the gate. North Spain pretty similar. More fun that way imo.

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks for the tips Richard!! Can be same in Aus & NZ also...

[@ahamilton1305]

Great videos man, noone making anything as high quality consistently as you

[@nextari]

I'd say also there are tons of ways to do it on the cheap. Southern California has tons of Burrito places so $25-$30/day for food you could easily swing. Go camping. But the waves are not so good or consistent in most places. North Shore Hawaii Backpackers has dorms for $40 right next to Foodland and Waimea Bay in the middle of the N. Shore. So you could do $60-$100 a day easy for an amazing time on the N. Shore, with a bicycle. But it's going to be packed and heavy in most places. There are quite a few out of the way spots with much more mellow crowds though. I'd recommend that as a N. Shore experience, but not really just for getting good waves. I'd prefer Indo or something (maybe Mex/Central America?) for good waves. Reason is the intensity of the waves and the crowds take adjusting to and even locals don't get a ton of waves. It's also somewhat dangerous in bigger waves if you're not used to the size and location with rips etc. So while it's an epic place to live, it's not like you are going to stay 2 weeks and get tons of waves really. A good time would be to catch the pipe masters or backdoor shootout, and then stay after the pros have left (masters). We surfed southern France/ Mundaka on nothing, camping and getting cheap food at markets. We were buying 5 kg bags of potatoes and frying chips for like 6 of us. Maybe $30/day. Fun adventures.

[@benjaminharrison1391]

I went to the Maldives with my girlfriend and we stayed on a local island and used local ferry’s. Met a local guy with a jet ski and payed him to drop me off at waves in the area. Super scored and our little rental was great and only $40 a night and a round trip for him to drop and pick me up was $10. Food is a bit more pricy like 15 $ per person per meal but it was amazing experience for the price

[@DanHarmon123]

Sick mate!! Sounds like you lucked into a sick time there with the ski and decent rental!!

[@climber222]

It's nice to see a humble and realistic surfer. Keep up the good work mate 👍

[@michaelj8793]

One of the last things that I want to do is spend buckets of cash to surf with tons of surfers wanting to do the same I've found that hiring a boat with a group of friends that you will be spending basically the entire time on the boat is the absolute best making sure that you get along very well with the dozen of friends you go on the trip with it will Definitely be the experience of a lifetime and I've done this several times over the years and had No regrets whatsoever PS make sure that you bring a decent photographer maybe even pay his way you won't regret it one little bit Thanks for sharing as always my friend Dan the Man keep em coming and Safe travels 👍

[@DanHarmon123]

Yo Michael! Yeah good point actually! So keen to do that sort of trip at some point!!

[@YuseiLVCannabis]

u always make great vids about surf spot always thankful for the knowledge i have learned from you much love from ph!

[@DanHarmon123]

Thank you :)

[@Tom-and-Jerry-again]

Mexico can be really low budget or luxury high budget. A surf guide is great help but for low budget, a backpack, 2 boards and camping just ask locals for where. Step up is a truck or van. There are plenty of nice hotels and A/C and a large range of prices. Mainland has waves year around. Cabo is seasonal. Central mainland and Baja is wide open, plenty of out of the way places with no one out. Even northern baja is uncrowded.

[@JohnCocozza]

Went to Costa Rica back in 96 and it was dirt cheap. Less than $1 a beer. Rooms were $10-$20 per night. Then I went back in 2012 and beers were same price as California. Paying $6-$8 per beer. Hotels were expensive. Was amazing to see how fast the country was built up. Went to Tavarua, Fiji back in 2007 as the hired surf photographer and even then the guests were paying thousands for the trip between airfare, baggage, and the resort. But great thing about Tavarua and I highly recommend it to people to do at least once is it is all inclusive. Your meals, your boat rides, the transfers to and from the airport. Went to the Tenggara Point Lodge in Indo back in 2018 as the hired surf photo/video and that was one of the most expensive trips I have seen for guests. Airfare was separate, but to stay at Tenggara was around $500 per night for the guests. That included all your meals, boat rides, ground transfers, and airfare from Bali to the island that Tenggara is on. Currently live in San Diego, CA and yeah California is super expensive currently. Rents are averaging $2800-$3200 for a two bedroom. Hotels are very expensive but you can find air bnb to stay for $80-$120 per night. Gas is very expensive and eating out at restaurants cause of inflation and the taxes is ridiculous. A carne asada burrito is $12-$15 at most places. Places like McDonalds or In'n'Out burger are about the same.

[@shoreseeker]

Visited Hawaii for the second time a few months ago, in Waikiki every meal was $60aud for two main meals. It was insane how expensive it was.

[@jerrybow8779]

Just got back from West Java. 6hr transport from Jakarta was 500k(4 people) accommodation right on the point was 400k per night(3 meals included) minimal crowds and 14 straight days of waves. I don’t know why if your gonna travel for waves you would go to these mega expensive places🤷🏽‍♂️

[@muhamadhidayat8509]

More cheap East Java Pacitan

[@tjtoobs]

Going really feral! 😂😂 dude I love hearing other ways of talking from other cultures. Love from east coast usa

[@goofysurfista]

Always comprehensive!

[@DanHarmon123]

Thank you :)

[@LelonSwanner]

Dan!!!!! Feral man....livin in his car to live the dream!!!! I appreciate your videos and candor. Very relatable. I expect the livin is coming easier these days. Thanks man. Where are you from sir?

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks mate!! Yeah defo done my fair share of feral living to get waves hahah... And yeah (slightly) easier these days ;) From England!!

[@niklasroos]

Price on flights to Australia from Europe now in 2024 are insane. It's a 75% increase since 2019. I had planned to go this Christmas but had to scrap those plans when I looked at flights

[@Stineylager]

There is absolutely hostels on the main island in Fiji. $10 a night. Tropic of Capricorn is one

[@dasak67]

Main problem with surfers is that we usually spend more time surfing than making money. Maybe doing the opposite will make all these places cheap...

[@DanHarmon123]

Hahaha!

[@francoisrossouw1656]

Very informative as always. What we won’t give up to surf good waves. I stayed in a derelect house in Jbay a few times on a budget😂

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks mate! Hahaha classic budget trip stuff!

[@dodge5629]

Lord Howe Island should be up there near #1

[@brirags]

There's an amazing place in Ecuador and dirt cheap if you know where and when to go.

[@dennismccarthy7032]

❤ thanks Dan , good intel as ever

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks Dennis :)

[@justincreamer5404]

Thanks Dan!! Yewww

[@DanHarmon123]

Stoked you enjoyed it :)

[@KneeJerk]

Yew, you should come to Vietnam and do a video on the cheapest destinations!

[@DanHarmon123]

Yo mate!! Would love to come over there at some stage :)

[@wes1990]

No wonder im so skint my last surf trips have been Aus, Hawaii, Caifornia BUT 100% worth every penny

[@DanHarmon123]

Hahha!! Yeah, they're always worth it!!

[@budawang77]

Not sure Australia deserves to be on this list. As you said, it can be done cheap and there are lots of cheap hostels. There are also plentiful camping options which are virtually free. It's an easy place to buy a car and sell it later for virtually the same amount. Most breaks are paddle out. The exchange rate with the USD at least is also quite favourable at the moment.

[@c04sters]

Went in May 2024 - a 3 hour trip was $150 FJD (~$100 AUD) for a shared boat from Malolo

[@DanHarmon123]

Wow, yeah sounds like it's even more expensive now!!

[@eddielazzeri2051]

Hey Dan, what's up? Anything on Ubatuba, Brazil? Im heading there beginning of September...

[@leilanikaiawelacuesta7771]

Try NIHI Sumba, that place is INSANELY expensive!! It makes Tahiti look like Bali

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah I've heard that actually!!

[@leilanikaiawelacuesta7771]

@@DanHarmon123 ..Or Berran island in the Marshals which is run by Martin Daly. Itʻs so expensive Waterways wonʻt even list the price and theyʻre pretty transparent about everything. I called and they said itʻs about $10K for 7 days.

[@hipsonsogbo]

good info as always

[@DanHarmon123]

Thank you :))

[@danielsousa5738]

Don't agree about Maldives. In October will be my 7th time there. You cang get a flight for 600€ and stay in Thulusdhoo for 20$/night w/ breakfast. You can eat for 3/4$ at reastaurants. For sure the boats can be a little bit pricey, 10$ to go to chickens 25$ to Sultans/Jails. But that's why I booked 7 days in Thulusdhoo and 7 days in Himmafushi, and the last one is way cheaper than thulusdhoo. Mentawai paid 150$/night at shoulder season in HiddenBay Resort, similar to KANDUI, surfed alone and had a lot of fun! I'm from Portugal btw.

[@dreams2reality410]

I remember back in 90's the US dollar went a long ways in Costa Rica. Too bad that's not the case anymore.

[@leonardberverena1030]

Love ❤️ ❤🏄‍♀️🫶🤙this video

[@jefffinlay3477]

Cheers!

[@user-gx6lm4oc9d]

Mexico on list next year !!!

[@Tom-and-Jerry-again]

That will never happen, there are so many hotels and rent is super cheap, there's 53 point breaks and hundreds of reefs and beaches. Surfing is free. Traveling to get there, transportation in general, is where the cost is and it's those prices which have moved up so much.

[@user-gx6lm4oc9d]

@@Tom-and-Jerry-again SO WRONG WOW

[@Tom-and-Jerry-again]

@@user-gx6lm4oc9d There's no better place in the world to surf if you're low on money or even if you have a good budget. There is 0 charge to surf, except those few places mentioned. There are literally hundreds of spots and most are sand, including the best points. Maybe you're stuck in cabo? Food is closer to US prices in cabo.

[@KamalHealthSport]

Hawai is not expensive considering the fact the logistics are easy. However, it's becoming expensive compared to 10 years ago.

[@wendymorgan6651]

Thanks

[@olivermorris4209]

Dan - can you please recommend some beaches withing driving distance from Puerto Escondido suitable for an intermediate bodyboarder. Will be travelling early January. With so many beaches its hard to decide what to do. Thank you and keep up the videos they are great.

[@NadiKyle]

Hey Oliver there won't be much surf that time of year but occasionally you'll get some swell You ought to be fine at Puerto Escondido anything under 8 ft is pretty manageable. The points down south are privatized by surf guides and you have to pay.

[@DanHarmon123]

Hi Oliver! Thank you so much... To be honest, I'm not too sure on the surrounding beaches there, I've only ever surfed Zicatela, plus I think some of them are lesser known so shouldn't really mention them here... But yeah Zicatela on a small day (which it should be in Jan) should be all good :)

[@jacklovett4803]

Surfing in Iceland was really expensive. Just an expensive place in general. I assume would be similar for Norway, not surfed there yet. Here you have the added costs of all the neoprene you'll need. Not really stuff you can hire.

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah good point Jack! Been to Iceland and super expensive there!! And yeah 6mm neoprene don't come cheap haha!

[@climber222]

Hey mate, how was the crowd factor in fiji? And what's your preferred insurance? It's been getting fairly pricey

[@donnis90]

Staying on a local Island in the Maldives is pretty cheap. Similar to most places in Europe you'd stay.

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah good point actually!! Can be done there...

[@aaronpovsurf]

Is it not possible to camp at any of these? Ik this is probably a dumb question but I would do anything for good waves haha.

[@BigPoppieSeed]

Anything...?

[@hipsonsogbo]

@@BigPoppieSeed lmao they said anything

[@DanHarmon123]

Australia, NZ, Cali and France. For sure you can camp in these places and make things cheap!! I've lived out my car for months in Aus and NZ. Not to sure about the others though... I'm sure you could do it, but I imagine the heat and insects would be pretty gnarly haha!!

[@aaronpovsurf]

@@DanHarmon123 Cool thanks! Keep up the good work.

[@christianwitthoft5071]

what about skeleton bay I've heard its very hard to get to

[@DanHarmon123]

Yeah I can imagine!! Lots of flights!!

[@AnnoyingMango1]

Mate if you had to decide between costa rica, nicaragua and kuta lombok where would you go for the least crowd in the waves but you still have the feeling you would meet some people to hang out as a solo traveler?:) (25 yo)

[@DanHarmon123]

Hmm good question!! They're all pretty crowded (and consistent), but I'd say Costa Rica has the best combo for meeting people (good hostels etc), and fun, consistent waves :)

[@AnnoyingMango1]

@@DanHarmon123ok gottcha! Thanks mate keep up the great work really nice insights one would otherwise not get, only after already having spent 1k for the flight😂 Just out of interest what would maybe be your second pick in that case, just because costa rica isnt cheap

[@jerrybow8779]

If your gonna go to indo, Kuta Lombok is a terrible choice of destination

[@AnnoyingMango1]

@@jerrybow8779why seems to be good wave conditions? I dont mean kuta bali but kuta lombok

[@jerrybow8779]

@@AnnoyingMango1 it’s mega crowded because it’s so close to Bali and the waves arnt that good

[@Dennis___]

Lion air changed their price for one surfboard. It's now 1.000.000 per board! Their insane. Had a flight couple weeks ago to Lakey Peak. Surfing and traveling is becoming for the rich only.

[@DanHarmon123]

Thanks for the update mate!!! That's gnarly though!

[@Dennis___]

​@@DanHarmon123 And that's not all of it. A single flight from Bali is around 1.500.000 to Bima. Than the taxi from Bima to Lakey is standard 1.000.000. all locals will charge you the same price. So if you travel with just 2 board's that means to go and back as an single traveler. 3.000.000 for the flight's 4.000.000 for the boards and 2.000.000 for the taxi rides. So roughly 10.000.000 to just get there. 👌🏻

[@carlossalgueiro5132]

from braziil to fiji ticket 3.200 us hahaha

[@jerrybow8779]

That’s a great thing

[@gallivantstravels]

In the good ole days surfing was not a rich man’s sport. These days, different story.

[@Tom-and-Jerry-again]

It's not surfing, it's traveling, moving around, food, stuff in general. Surfing is still super cheap, but getting there?

[@mikemoloney506]

500 dollars a day

[@BigPoppieSeed]

Love your channel and vibe! 432 hz! I promise you that the sea is alway's level... ...and you know this already. I've been on a budget my whole life. Can no longer afford all the travel expense, and "strange law's" concerning my "blue water", documented sailing vessel and taking a jab! Costa since 1988! I'm done. Love Peace Narrow road my fellow light (hue) man, just being!

[@TrueWren]

please explain the 432hz the sea is level. Glad to hear you swerved the jab, maybe he should do a video on countries where they didn't require the jabs (bye Oz)😂

[@BigPoppieSeed]

​well, the sea (water) is always level... just a fact. You are not spinning on a ball my friend. 432 is a higher vibration than the one this world usually offers... look it up! ... it's a super easy re-search.

[@petersheely7246]

💸🤪

[@drtybrdy75]

Mexican food is really cheap in California. You can live on burritos for under $10 a meal.

[@MR-hu1bx]

AHAHAHAHA NOW HES SHOWING US HOW MUCH HOUSE PRICES ARE RISING!!!😂😂😂😂