Solo Female Surf Trips
The Girls Trip You Didn’t Know You Needed
We all know that feeling before you book a solo surf trip,
part excitement, part panic.
Part of you is excited thinking about being somewhere tropical, with salty hair, watching the waves and having zero responsibilities. The other part of you is wondering, why am I doing this alone? What if I don’t make any friends?
Maybe you have been dreaming about learning to surf, or maybe you are ready to level up your surfing and tuck into your first barrel, or maybe you are tired of waiting on everyone’s schedules to find that perfect time to book that surf trip. Whatever brought you here, you are not alone and yes, you should book that solo surf trip. Women from around the world are chasing waves, and travelling solo, not because they are fearless but because solo travel is the most rewarding way to travel, and women are starting to choose experiences over waiting for the perfect circumstances.
This is the girls trip you didn’t know you needed!
Why book a solo female surf trip?
Let’s be real, trying to organise a girls surf trip as adults is a mission! One friend just got a promotion, one is saving money, someone is getting married, someone is travelling and before you know it another year has gone by and still no surf trip in sight, it only exists in the girls group chat.
Many women have decided to stop waiting, they are booking their flights, learning to surf, meeting new friends along the way and chasing experiences that make them feel inspired. Surf trips are different from the typical holiday, surfing is active, social and adventurous and it's travelling with a purpose and this is why so many women are falling in love with solo surf travel.
The part nobody talks about…
The nerves are real, we know. What if I make no friends? What if I suck at surfing? What if I feel awkward? Will I be safe? What if I book the whole thing and immediately regret it?
The truth is, every solo traveller overthinks these things before booking that trip, especially when it comes to surfing. Surfing can feel very intimidating, with new environments, new surf spots, and unfamiliar line ups. It can be easy to think that everyone else knows what they are doing, reality is everyone starts somewhere. The funny thing is all the things you spend time worrying about before you arrive, disappear a few days in.
You arrive solo but it never stays that way
Surfing is a great way to meet like-minded travellers. Something special happens when people share waves together, connections form quickly! Maybe it's the surf check coffees, laughing about wipeouts together, maybe it's cheering each other onto waves, or maybe it's a shared dinner after a long day of surfing. Whatever it is, it’s magic!
The best friendships start on a surf trip. You borrow sunscreen, share surf tips, share waves, celebrate progress, and become invested in each other's surf journeys. Before you know it, the solo surf trip you were nervous about has become an epic social experience, and you’ve made friends for life. So do it, book that solo surf trip.
Surf camps vs surf retreats
So your nerves are gone and you are ready to book that solo surf trip. The next question is
Should you choose a surf camp or a surf retreat?
The good news is, there is no wrong answer. Both offer an amazing opportunity to improve your surfing, meet people and explore beautiful destinations. Here are the main differences between the two:
Surf Camp |
Surf Retreat |
|---|---|
| Social, flexible atmosphere | Smaller, more intimate group |
| Flexible Surf Camp schedule | More curated experience |
| Meet lots of different people | Build deeper connections with a small group |
| Freedom to create your own schedule | More structured itinerary and planned experiences |
| Great value and flexibility | More premium, all-inclusive style experience |
| More flexibility to shape your own experience | Perfect if you enjoy everything organised for you |
At Kima Surf Camps we have been welcoming travellers from all around the world to our surf camps in Bali and Sri Lanka, we have watched countless solo female travellers arrive, nervous at first, but leave with new friendships and new found confidence.
Over the years, we've welcomed thousands of women to our surf camps and seen firsthand how powerful surf travel can be. But we also noticed that some women were looking for a different kind of surf experience — one with smaller groups, a dedicated host, personalised coaching and a carefully curated itinerary from start to finish.
So we listened. And that's exactly what inspired Kima Women's Surf Retreats.
They are not a replacement of our camps but rather a new way to experience surf travel. So when you are trying to choose between a surf camp or surf retreat remember the best decision is the one that makes you book that flight.
Introducing Kima Surf Women’s Retreats
We have created the Kima Surf Women’s Retreats for women who:
- Want surf progression without feeling like they are at a hardcore training camp
- Want to stay in beautiful places and exclusive accommodation
- Want to try incredible food
- Want local experiences
- Want to share the experience with a group of inspiring women
- Want someone to show them the places that don't make it into the guidebooks
- Want a trip that felt just as memorable out of the water as it did in it.
These surf trips are the equivalent of the girls’ getaway everyone talks about for years but somehow never actually books — except this time, it’s real. Think world-class waves, stunning villas, great dinners, recovery and wellness, and real local experiences, shared with a small circle of women who simply get it.
Kima Women’s Surf Retreats is a curated series of women’s surf retreats hosted in some of the most sought-after surfing destinations on earth — with new destinations continuing to be added. Each location is carefully chosen for its rare beauty, powerful energy, unforgettable surf, and unique cultural experience.
Destinations
First announced destinations include:
- Bali - Trendy surf towns, world-class waves and waves for every level!
- Sri Lanka — coastlines lined with lush jungle, gentle rolling warm water waves, and a slow, soulful rhythm
- Maldives — crystal clear lineups, perfect waves, and barefoot luxury at sea
- Costa Rica — wild tropical energy, consistent surf, and pura vida living
- Morocco — raw Atlantic power, desert-meets-ocean landscapes, and world-class point breaks
Each retreat is hosted by professional surfer and Bali local Giada Legati, who brings her deep knowledge of the ocean and surf culture to every experience. And if this feels like the trip you’ve been waiting for — the series begins this August in Uluwatu, Bali.
For ten days, you'll surf some of Bali's most iconic waves, stay in a luxury hilltop villa overlooking the ocean, enjoy sunset dinners at the Bukit's best restaurants, discover Bali through local eyes and share the experience with a small group of women who all said yes to the same adventure. Only eight spots available, keeping the experience intimate, personal and designed around genuine connection.
Join the mailing list today!
Get early access to Kima Women’s Surf Retreats destinations and dates.This is just the beginning of the series, more destinations, experiences, and retreat dates will be announced as the series continues to grow. Think surf, sunsets, beautiful villas and your ultimate girls’ surf trip.
Join NowBecause sometimes the best surf trips aren't just about the waves. They're about the people you meet, the confidence you build and the memories you take home with you.
And sometimes all it takes is booking the flight.
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