The surfing tourism market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The surfing tourism market has experienced significant growth in recent years. It is projected to grow from $9.58 billion in 2024 to $10.22 billion in 2025, reflecting a CAGR of 6.7%.
The growth is driven by the influence of early surfing films and magazines, improved accessibility and affordability of air travel, technological advances in surfboard design, the rise of surfing competitions and professional surfing, as well as surf camps and schools.
The surfing tourism market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• The surfing tourism market is projected to grow robustly, reaching $13.08 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 6.4%.
This growth is attributed to better beach and surf infrastructure, effective marketing, and the development of surf spots and related amenities. Trends include a focus on eco-friendly tourism, advances in technology, experience-driven travel, remote surf spots, and luxury surf travel.
The soaring popularity in outdoor leisure activities and adventurous travel is predicted to inspire the progress of the surfing tourism sector. Outdoor leisure is defined by engagements and hobbies that occur in natural or exterior atmospheres for pleasure, relaxation, and exercise. While adventure travel suggests journeys to engage in physically stimulating experiences that often encompass a degree of risk. The spike in enthusiasm for these activities is attributed to numerous reasons, such as wellness trends, social media's impact, technological escape, and enhanced accessibility. Surfing tourism amplifies outdoor leisure by focusing on coastal locations and advocating active living. It also encourages local infrastructure expenditure and increases demand for related pursuits and services. For example, based on a report in July 2024 by the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, a local government department, about 90% of adults participated in sports at least once annually. Every year, nearly 13.5 million adults and 3.6 million children take part in sports, with over 3 million Australians voluntarily engaging in sports and active amusement. Thereby, the surging interest in outdoor leisure and adventurous travel is fuelling the surfing tourism sector's development.
The surfing tourism market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Tour Type: Domestic, International
2) By Services Offered: Surf Schools And Lessons, Surf Camps And Retreats, Surf Resorts And Accommodations, Surf Tours And Expeditions, Equipment Rentals And Sales
3) By Consumer Orientation: Men, Women
4) By Tourist Type: Independent Traveler, Tour Group, Package Traveler
5) By Target Audience: Beginners And Learners, Intermediate Surfers, Advanced And Professional Surfers, Family And Group Travelers
Subsegments:
1) By Domestic: Local Surfing Tours, Regional Surfing Destinations, National Surfing Events And Competitions
2) By International: Surfing Holidays Abroad, Surf Camps And Surf Schools, Surfing Adventure Travel Packages, International Surfing Competitions And Events
Leading businesses in the surfing tourism industry are concentrating on establishing surfing schools to boost the overall experience and appeal to a wider variety of enthusiasts. These surfing schools are particular institutions or groups that offer lessons and training in the surfing sport. For example, Flying Konkan, an adventure company based in India, unveiled the first board surfing school in April 2022 to entice tourists and surfing participants to appreciate the unspoiled beaches of Devgad. The school provides training for all proficiency levels, inviting both newcomers and seasoned surfers. Newcomers are allowed to enjoy the sport even without previous swimming knowledge, practicing in beaches with smaller waves and shallow waters, whereas more skilled surfers are offered the chance to navigate deeper waters, where swimming abilities are necessary for safety.
Major companies operating in the surfing tourism market are:
• LineUpEXplorers GmbH
• The Perfect Wave Travel
• Channel Islands Surfboards Inc.
• Body Glove International LLC
• World Surfaris Pty Ltd
• Firewire Surfboards LLC
• Costa Rica Surf Travel Company
• Wavehunters Surf Travel Pty Ltd
• Waterways Surf Adventures
• Nomad Surfers
• Atoll Travel
• The Ocean Spell Surf Travel
• True Blue Travel
• BruSurf Inc.
• Great Ocean Road Surf Tours
• INTRO Travel Pty Ltd
• Mojosurf Pty Ltd
• Go Overseas Inc.
• Driftwood Mentawai Surf Travel
• Surf and Sun
North America was the largest region in the surfing tourism market in 2023. The regions covered in the surfing tourism market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.