Share

Surfing

7 Ridiculously Expensive Beach Hotels All Surfers Would Love to Visit

Ever wondered where super rich surfers go on holiday?

Credit: Nihiwatu

Cash rich and time poor? Or simply dreaming of that perfect surf trip? Maybe you have a credit card and ain’t afraid to use it? Well, these next seven surf trips come with cocktails, infinity pools and world class waves. They don’t come cheap, and so they won’t come often, but if you want add a splash of luxury to your quest for barrels, they are hard to beat.

Credit: Nihiwatu

1) Nihi, Sumba

God’s Left is the perfect lefthander that breaks directly in front of the Nihi resort that Claude Graves founded back in 1988. Over 20 years he built up a luxury resort at the wave, and exercised exclusive rights to the break.

In 2012 new owners took over and have further primped the new resort. Hong Kong Tatler, for example said, “Once the preserve of savvy surfers, Nihiwatu on the remote Indonesia island of Sumba has evolved into a ruggedly luxurious destination for the global jet set.” That’s you, right?

Season: May to October

Fly to: Denpasar, then charter flight to Tambolaka Airport in West Sumba.

Accommodation cost: Room start at $US1000 per night.

Website: nihiwatu.com

Fellow guests: Bankers, visiting aid doctors, Silicon Valley millionaires and love struck Euro honeymooners.

Credit: Palmilla Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

2) Palmilla Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Tucking into a signature ginger margarita in the infinity pool which stretches, well as the equation goes, without limit, the only decision at the Cabo San Lucas’ Palmilla resort is whether to have a second tequila-based drink or instead hit either the Pacific Coast or Sea of Cortez for some fun zippy Baja runners. “I’ve had some of the best times in my life in Cabo,” big wave surfer Ian Walsh told Mpora. “It has warm water, loads and loads of hot girls, even more tequila, cheap beer and great waves. How can you not have fun there?”

Best season: June-October

Fly into: Los Angeles, then charter flight to Los Cabos International Airport

Accommodation cost: From $US600 per night

Websitepalmilla.oneandonlyresorts.com

Fellow guests: Hollywood B-listers, fake-boobed bikini babes, Californian shredders and 50-year-old longboarders.

Credit: Moorea Beachcomber, Tahiti

3) Moorea Beachcomber, Tahiti

While the first thought of surfing Tahiti usually conjures up images of death rattling Teahupoo grinders, the other islands of French Polynesia offer other high rolling treats. Moorea, for example, combines world class waves with stunning aquamarine waters and five star luxury. 2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson stayed at the famous Beachcomber resort for his honeymoon and such was the quality of the waves it almost ended the marriage before it began. “By the end Monica was going to divorce me,” Parkinson told Mpora. “It was a four-day honeymoon and it included three of the best days of surf I’ve ever had.”

Season: May to October

Website: moorea.intercontinental.com

Accommodation cost: Double rooms start at $US700 per night

Fellow guests: International honeymooners, Fat Russian husbands (and their skinny wives), USA retirees.

Credit: iStock/Maldives

4) Kandooma Resort, Maldives

The Maldives ultra turquoise waters and bleached white sands attract cashed up surfers like bees to honey. Kandooma is no different, a luxury resort with incredible beaches, great bars, luxury spas, high end restaurants and incredible sea life. You can choose between Beach View Villas, two-storey Beach Houses or the highest end Overwater Villas that, you guessed it, are located over the water.

For thesurfer though, the 50 yard walk to the quality righthander is the cherry on the icing on top of the cake. There is no need for boat transfers, just simply wake up and paddle out. With capped numbers guaranteeing no crowds, you can go for a quick surf, rack up the wave count and be back in no time to make the most of the buffet, or book in a poolside massage.

Season: May to October

Websitemaldives.holidayinnresorts.com

Accommodation: Double rooms start at $US500 per night

Fellow guests: International honeymooners, Australian tradesmen, Israelis

Credit: iStock/Byron Bay

5) The Byron, Byron Bay

The Byron is set within a 45 acre subtropical rainforest and a short trundle down the boardwalk to the great waves, white sands and clear waters of Tallow Beach. Add the expansive swimming pool, spa treatments, complimentary yoga sessions and high end rooms and this is one of Byron Bay, and surfing’s, most luxurious surf trips.  The resort is also a bird call away from Byron Bay itself, one of the world’s great surf towns, with its incredible food, great pubs, and world class waves.

Season: All year round.

Website: thebyronatbyron.com.au

Accommodation: Double rooms start at $400 a night

Fellow guests: Start up hipsters, wealthy families and rich Scandinavian backpackers

Credit: Mukul Resort

6) Mukul Resort, Nicaragua

One of the most expensive surf resorts in Central America the Mukul Resort is located near the world-class breaks that line Nicaragua’s Emerald Coastline. The resort offers beginner lessons, coaching sessions to guided half-day boat or 4WD surfaris along the coast. If the planets align though you will be surfing Manzanillo Point, a famous wave that only resort guests have direct access too. Once you surf this reeling left, you won’t have time to play on the 5 star golf course, relax in the spas or sip cocktails by the infinity pool. Maybe.

Season: March to September

Getting there: Fly to Managua International Airport

Website: mukulresort.com/

Accommodation: Starts at $500 per night

Fellow guests: American golfers, rich Mexicans and Californian longboarders

Credit: Round House, Barbados

7) Round House, Barbados

Proximity to a world class wave costs money. That’s why a stay at the Round House at Bathsheba in Barbados costs a little more than a caravan in Cornwall. You see the Round House is an 1800s-built hotel that offers commanding views of the entire Atlantic coast and a one-minute walk down to Soup Bowls. And make no mistake, Soup Bowls is a world class wave with Kelly Slater describing it as one of his three favourite breaks. The Round House is a historical and cultural icon, which boasts a mellow vibe, great food and only four rooms, each with an ocean view.

Getting there: Fly into Barbados Airport, and you are within 15 miles of the wave.

Season: Nov – June

Websiteroundhousebarbados.com/

Accommodation cost: $US500 per night

Fellow guests: Ageing Floridian retirees, honeymooning couples, rich Californian surfers.

You may also like…

Kelly Slater And The Future Of Surfing: Is It Becoming A Rich Man’s Sport?

Surf. Sit. Repeat. Is A Fake Wave On A Welsh Lake About To Start A Surfing Revolution 

23 Ways To Make A Surf Trip Really Awkward

Share

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production