Top 5 Surfing and Yoga Retreat Destinations (We’re Dying to See!)

Emily from retreathub has done the work for you to know where to host your next yoga/surf retreat and why in the world you would combine the two!

Surfing and yoga as a pair has been growing in popularity for many years and for good reason. Yoga and surfing are both full-body, strength-training exercises. They combine balance and flexibility with strength to create a whole body experience, using only your body weight. Yoga and surfing require no teammate, partner, and little equipment (just one item each- a surfboard and a yoga mat), making it ideal to practice on almost any occasion.

With the growing popularity of mindfulness and self care, yoga and surfing are wonderful examples of way to exercise and relax the mind. Focusing on breathing, slow movement, listening and becoming connected with the body and its relationship to the earth, are just a few examples of how mindfulness plays into yoga and surfing.

There is also a spiritual aspect of practicing these activities that can lead to a greater awareness of oneself. While these activities can be self-taught, it can be helpful to practice with a guide and other like-minded individuals. We published an article recently why yoga goes well with surfing and now we’re focusing on the best places to do both!

Here are the top five destinations for yoga and surf retreats, where yoga and surfing NEED to be combined!

Morocco: The waves of Moroccan beaches have lured in visitors for decades.

From Taghazout to Imsoane, the beaches of Morocco are not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also ideal spots to practice surf and yoga alike. Morocco offers perfect locations for beginner surfers and yogis, with coaches that cater to all levels. Morocco is also known for its laid-back culture, which may be the real reason people are drawn to practice here.

Bali: Known for its spirituality, Bali is a place to go for spiritual growth and healing.

Mount Agung is known to be an amazing view, especially at sunset or sunrise. On Mt Agung lies Mother Temple of Besakih, which is the largest temple in Bali. When the volcano erupted, it destroyed many lives but missed the temple, making it now known as the holiest temple in Bali.

Portugal: Portugal averages 300 sunny days per year so it’s almost guaranteed to experience beautiful weather any time of year.

Surfing is famous in Portugal due to several surfing records being made here, including highest wave ever recorded. Whether attempting to break the current record, or just riding the waves, Portugal is the place to go.

India: The birthplace of yoga is bound to make the list. India is full of ashrams, which are spiritual retreats centering on meditation and yoga.

A benefit of practicing in the birthplace of yoga is experiencing traditional teachings with experts who have studied under other experts for years. This is something that cannot be replicated and is highly unique to India. The locals are also known to be very welcoming to visitors, making this a pleasant place to visit.

Costa Rica: Growing in popularity world-wide, Costa Rica is full of places to practice yoga.

The country’s variety of terrain (rainforest, mountains, volcanoes) creates an atmosphere unlike many others. So whether tropical or mountainous is favoured, everyone can find an area in Costa Rica that speaks to them. Not to mention, the surf is awesome!

While it can be difficult to narrow down a retreat destination to one spot, this list offers 5 ideal places for yoga and surfing retreats across the world. Each place is unique, but all have the same goal: to facilitate deeper practice that carries on past the trip, and stays with your forever. Take what you learn on the mat or surfboard wherever you go.

Well, have we inspired you yogi’s to surf and you surfers to do yoga? Where else would you add to the list of places to do both?