The Absolute Best Gifts for Surfers

A custom surfboard is one of THE best gifts for surfers. It’s likely to bring tears of joy and happiness to their eyes!

This one will set you back a pretty penny, but if you’re looking for a big gift, a custom board is the way to go.

I don’t recommend this as a surprise gift, unless you know exactly what customizations are desired. 

Otherwise, have the gift-receiver select the customizations from their favorite online surf shop OR take them to a local surf shop that has a board shaper to place an order. 

This is not a last minute gift, FYI, as it takes time to build a board from scratch. 

Plus depending on where you’re getting the custom surfboard, you’ll likely have to wait in line (or pay extra for a rush job).

Nothing stinks more than losing out on a surf sesh while on a trip due to the need for a simple repair.

Always travel with a board repair kit that has surf wax, comb, epoxy repair supplies, fin key, and spare fin.

A surfboard bag is essential surfing equipment. It will keep surfboards protected from dings that can impact how well a board rides.

Dakine is a reputable brand with durable options, such as the Daylight model pictured above.

If the surfer you're buying for already has a board, check the measurements before picking out a bag, as you'll want to make sure the board will fit!

Surf wax is used to add a grip layer on the surfboard so surfers don’t slip while paddling or surfing.

A surf wax comb is used to remove the wax, as it has to be removed before a new layer can be added.

Surfboard wax and a comb is one of the most essential surfboard accessories there is, so any surfer will appreciate it as a gift.

TIP: Be sure to pick wax for the right water temperature because if the wax used is for the wrong temperature, it won’t create a good enough grip! 

In addition to surf wax, a grip deck is added to surfboards to ensure surfers don't slip off while riding.

Surfers tend to be picky about their gear, so if you’re gifting for an experienced surfer, it’s best to ask them which grip they want!

A surfboard leash does exactly what the name suggests: it leashes the surfboard to the surfer so it can’t drift away when a surfer falls. Without it, the board could get lost or worse – hit someone as it drifts away.

Keep your ears healthy with a good set of ear plugs.

SurfEars makes a great set for both kids and adults that keeps the water out of your ears, but still lets sound in so you can communicate with your fellow surfers.

If you’re worried about ear plugs falling out, SurfEars has your back!

These ear plugs come with a leash to help prevent loss and comes in an eco-friendly case. Plus it comes with 4 plug sizes so you can find the perfect fit.

It is truly one of the best surf accessories but often goes overlooked, so make sure your fave surfer has a set!

Protect your eyes from the elements with sunglasses designed specifically for surfers from Birdz. 

Birdz sunglasses are made specifically for water sports, like surfing.

The wraparound style prevents peripheral vision from being blocked, plus the lenses are polarized to offer UVA and UVB protection.

Plus there's a band that will keep them snug on your head and a thin layer of EVA foam to keep the wind from irritating your eyes

I am a stickler for wearing SPF at all times. In my opinion, it’s the fountain of youth! 

Nonetheless, the one SPF product I always hated wearing, even at the beach or out on the water, is lip balm with SPF.

That is, until I tried SunBum Sunscreen Lip Balm with SPF 30. This super affordable lip balm doesn’t leave a chalky white residue on your lips like most lip balm with SPF! 

SunBum Sunscreen Lip Balm goes on smooth, leaves your lips super moisturized, and comes in a multitude of tropical flavors, like banana, coconut, mango, and pineapple.

Lastly, it makes a great surfing stocking stuffer!

Speaking of SPF, sunscreen is a must when hitting the waves.

Any ol’ sunscreen won’t do, though. Aim for a reef-safe sunscreen that is kind on your skin and to marine life. 

SunBum wins in this category, as well. They produce a large line of sunscreen in both sunscreen and lotion form, all of which are reef-safe.

Plus, they have after sun, skin, and hair care products. 

Some of the best places to surf are home to one of the ocean’s biggest predators – sharks!

Shark encounters are rare, but not impossible. An easy way to protect yourself against an encounter is with a shark deterrent band by SHARKBANZ. 

SHARKBANZ makes a super lightweight, universal-size band that can be worn on the ankle.

This band comes in several colors and works up to 330 feet, so if you’re into other water sports, such as snorkeling or scuba diving, you can use it for that too. 

Best of all, it doesn’t require charging or batteries, so it will always be protecting you and won’t die mid-surf.

This is one of the best surfing gadgets out there - simple, lightweight, and keeps you safe!

A GoPro camera is one of the best gear and accessories for surf photography!

It was actually originally created and test by surfers, so that probably explains why.

Not only is it durable and waterproof, but it is tiny and travel-friendly. 

With all the surf gear you have to lug around, especially when traveling, adding a GoPro camera to capture the waves is no big deal!

I recommend springing for the latest model, the GoPro HERO 12, to get the most bang for your buck. For 360° coverage, go for the GoPro Max.

There are a couple of GoPro accessories that are perfect for capturing surfing video from the surfers’ perspective.

The surfboard mount can be easily attached to the front or back of a surfboard to capture unique footage for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Plus it works for any GoPro model!

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the perfect surf watch, as it was made for adventure athletes, such as surfers.

It is water resistant up to 100 meters and has extra long battery life (up to 36 hours). 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also offers bands specific to the elements in which adventure athletes might find themselves, like the ocean band, which is both flexible and secure – even over the thickest wetsuit.

A dry bag is an essential accessory for surfers.

It can be used to stash your essentials and keep them dry if you're headed out on a boat.

Or, they can also be used to stash wet swimsuits, trunks, and rash guards.

A great gift for surfers is a surfer gift basket. Take a dry bag and stuff it with other accessories, like lip balm, sunscreen, a wide tooth comb, leave-in conditioner, sunscreen, and an Apple gift card (for a surfing app or new tunes).

A good beach towel for a surfer will be large enough to quickly towel off, dry quickly, and be made with eco-friendly materials and inks.

A rashguard serves multiple purposes for surfers and beach goers. 

Its main use is to prevent scrapes and irritation from sand, boards, waves, etc.

In addition, a good rash guard is SPF rated so it provides sun protection.

The Roxy rashguard pictured above, for example, provides SPF 50 protection.

The colder the water, the thicker the wetsuit they’ll need. Plus, if it’s 65°F or below, they’ll need a full wetsuit, not just a long sleeve neoprene swimsuit or jacket.

For the real brave ones who surf in 60°F or below, they’ll likely need neoprene booties and a surf hood, too!

Shop: Rashguards for men | Rashguards for women

One of my favorite gift ideas is a surf bikini. Look for athletic cuts that will stay put in action.

Brands like O'Neill, Roxy, Rip Curl, Billabong, and Hurley are all popular with female surfers for many reasons.

Their suits stay put, come in a variety of mix-and-match patterns and colors, and they often have styles that are eco-friendly, too.

Board shorts are similar to swim trunks in that they are meant for water sports and activities, so they are made of quick-to-dry material. 

However, there are some differences between the 2. They are meant to be worn low on the waist with a tie closure and don’t have an elastic waistband.

Length-wise, most board shorts are long to help protect the legs. However, for women’s board shorts, it’s easy to find a variety of length options.

Use the links below to shop for mens or womens board shorts. Or for the fun neon yellow mens board shorts pictured above, click the button below.

Mens board shorts | Womens board shorts

Avoid hypothermia (and, uh, death!) when surfing in cold water with a proper wetsuit. 

Be sure to check with your surfer friend on where they like to surf so you can determine the best type of wet suit for their needs. 

Shop: Wetsuits for men | Wetsuits for women

Wetsuits aren't exactly cheap, so you're gonna need something to help keep them in tip top shape - as well as to get rid of any funky odors.

JAWS Slosh wetsuit shampoo is super easy to use. It's a concentrate, so you just add some to water.

Then, soak your wetsuit for the desired time and rinse when done. It also works well for snorkeling equipment, pool toys, and other water gear that needs a cleaning.

Sometimes there just isn’t a place to change after a surf sesh.

To avoid mooning your friends while changing in your car or getting your car all wet and sandy, use a changing poncho!

All you have to do is slip it over your head and you can pull your arms in to quickly strip off your wet swimsuit or trunks and pull on a dry outfit.

In addition to a surf poncho, a changing mat is an invaluable gift.

Simply step on the changing mat and slide your swimsuit or board shorts right off onto the mat.

Then pull the strings to create a bag that will keep your wet suit separated and prevent it from getting everything else wet.

How genius is that?

To get a surfboard to and from the beach with ease, a car roof rack is essential.

If the surfer you're gifting bikes to the beach, there are racks for bikes and scooters, too!

Protect your car seats from wet swimsuits and equipment with a water resistant car seat cover. No more soggy bums from sitting in a spot where a surfer (or their stuff) just sat.

My top pick goes to Booty Barrier, who makes a universal-sized, washable, water resistant seat cover in super fun prints. 

Their seat covers are made from recycled plastic bottles making them eco-friendly. Plus, they are sweat and stink proof! 

Best of all, they are compatible with side airbags, so using them won’t compromise your safety if you were to get into a car accident.

To both store and display your surfboard, a wooden surfboard mount, is exactly what you need.

This option from COR Surf is available in a light bamboo and medium wood tone.

A balance board is a great way to practice and improve your balance for surfing.

This option from Sportneer has multiple settings you can use to take you from beginner to expert!

For the traveling surfer, a surf map is a fun way to track all the places they’ve surfed around the world. 

Plus, by using a different colored pinhead, they can plan future surf trips and retreats, too!

I love the idea of worldwide surf maps, but you can find local surf maps (ex: California, Hawaii, or Australia), too!

The perfect companion to a surf mat is a surf book.

One of my favorite surf books is Lonely Planet's Epic Surf Breaks of the World.

With over 200 epic surfing destinations around the world, it's perfect for dreaming up future surf trips!