Trips to Lands Unknown

There are so many locations that you can go for on surf trip, but choose wisely before you actually decide to schedule the trip. I personally have taken several trips to places that are often traveled by surfers from all over the world. One such location is Costa Rica, which is a great place with very consistent surf but is sometimes very crowded because of it being so well known. Recently I decided, along with some friends of mine, to take a trip the Eleuthera Bahamas. One person that went with us knew someone over there so they got us a place to stay, and the best part we had found our local. On any trip you take you want to find someone with lots of local knowledge about the area and its surf locations for a number of reasons. First, you always want to know where the best waves are on the given swell that you get while on your trip. Second, you want to know where to get food, water, or anything else you may need while on your stay. Third, which is very important, is how are the locals and how protective they are about their surf spots. You want to go to those local only spots because usually those are the best spots with the best waves, but if you don’t know someone that can get you there and into the line up with out getting hassled chances are you won’t ever surf that wave. Local knowledge is key to any surf trip when searching for waves.

Eleuthera is a small island located 225 miles from Fort Lauderdale Florida. It has lots of history behind it considering it is the first Bahamian island to be settled in 1648. There are many caves and lots of cliff sides, which look out into the Atlantic Ocean. The flight there is usually on a smaller commercial plane so be prepared to only take a couple boards. Your best boards will depend on the time of year you go, which most likely will be during the winter to spring months. Take your normal short board and depending on predictions for swell either a small wave board or a sleight step up nothing to crazy. I took a 6’2 and 6’3, which worked well. The waves break mostly over shallow reef or rock, there are some beach breaks so be prepared for all types of surf. Plane flights aren’t cheap but for the most part everything there is somewhat cheap. Be sure to take anything and everything you think you may need while your there. Fin key, wax, extra fins, repair kit, possibly a topper or something to where if it gets a little chilly, because there are no surf shops of any kind, so be prepared.

For any questions you may have about Eleuthera please leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out. Almost forgot, take a friend because you will most likely surf by yourself if you don’t.

Reference: http://www.eleuthera-map.com/eleuthera-island.htm