Like each unique wave that comes to shore, every girl searches for the perfect surfing destination that best suits her needs. Whether it is yoga lessons in the morning or post-surf spa treatments, Ocean magazine has sought out the best retreats for the surfer girl in each of you. With this guide, each inner surfer girl will be able to ride out on her perfect wave.

For the ‘Soul Surfer’ Girl…
Azucar Surf Retreat
Bocas del Toro, Panama
waterwaystravel.com

For the surfer girl who loves her private waves and quiet beaches, try this Caribbean paradise. A short flight from Panama City, the Bocas del Toro island of Colon offers a perfect exclusive surf camp that is ready to rejuvenate and invigorate.

Booked through Waterways Travel, the Azucar Surf Camp is all about exclusivity and intimacy, exactly what a Serene Surfer Girl needs. Azucar Surf Retreat is truly unique. It is the first and only boat-based private surf retreat in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Because the surf camp caters to private groups, you and your girlfriends can surf when you want, where you want, without compromise. When it comes to surfing, Azucar’s panga boats will take only a handful of surfers on a 20-minute ride to the best waves. The captain also will let surfers stop the boat if they find waves they want to conquer, and with such small numbers, there is never a fight for the next wave. These private sessions allow all Serene Surfer Girls to take their time when learning and truly feel the power of the waves.

And after a day of tearing up the island’s safe haven of swells, Azucar lends its guests the entire island of Colon for a number of activities: Jungle hikes, horseback riding, visits to a butterfly farm, spa treatments, yoga, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, fishing and shopping are only a few of many. The streets of Bocas del Toro are lined with unique local shops offering beautiful artwork, jewelry and clothing. Guests even get treated to a weekly massage, the Serene Surfer Girl’s absolute relaxation after an eventful day.

And what better way to unwind and retire when the sun goes down than in your own newly renovated cooled boathouse or private cabana. Walking out on the dock, you are led to a covered hut with swaying hammocks, where you can read a book or nap between surf sessions. If you want more privacy, you can retreat to any one of the colorful cabanas with cozy beds for a sound sleep after a fulfilling day. These modern boathouses sit partially over the water, serving as the kitchen, common area and the perfect spot for sunsets. And for those wishing for ultimate exclusivity with friends and loved ones, the larger house provides all the amenities of a private resort, including maid service and gourmet meals provided by a personal in-house chef. But don’t worry if you crave a bit of the night life. Accommodations are in close proximity to a buzzing nightlife of dancing and good company.

The best quality about Azucar Surf Retreat is that it is a green-based project. Owners Mike Lawson and Jessica Zoob are passionate about creating a place that accommodates guests and protects the environment. “We only have one ocean, and we have a responsibility to protect it. We developed the business model to protect the ocean while allowing people to enjoy what the ocean has to offer us.”

The Azucar Surf Camp is the definitive destination for any surf girl who is ready to leave the crowds and welcome the comfort of privacy. With the ocean being the ultimate luxury, Azucar Surf Retreat in Panama provides the opportunity for anyone to experience this pleasure and share in the search for adventure – and, of course, that perfect wave.

Five-day package:
two passengers, $988 each
three or more passengers, $950 each

Seven-day package:
two passengers, $1,385 each
three or more passengers, $1,330 each

For the Adventurous Surfer Girl…
Epic Surfing Adventures
Las Flores, El Salvador
epicsurfingadventures.com

For every girl who is ready to rock the waves and tackle all the challenges of a new locale, El Salvador is the place to go. Whether a beginner or a pro, Epic Surfing Adventures makes it easy for any Adventurous Surfer Girl to find the right place to test the waters of Central America. With surf locations on both the east and west coasts of El Salvador, Epic Surf Adventures offers a safe way to travel through El Salvador and experience a more off-the-beaten-path type of adventure. Guaranteed blue skies, warm tropical waters and uncrowded beaches, you will find yourself immersed in a most picturesque setting in which you can surf a new spot each time you venture out. The waves can go from having powerful breaks with perfect tubing conditions to long, shallow waters ideal for cruising. The best time to go for bigger, swifter waves is between March and November; December through February is great for smoother, smaller waves. A few popular waves include Mizata, El Sunzal, Punta Roca, K59 and local surfer and Epic Suring Adventures owner Ricardo Riva’s favorite wave, Secret Sport #4. On the east coast, breaks included Punta Mango, La Vaca and El Toro. Epic Surfing Adventures offers the best of both worlds with their comprehensive East and West Coast Combo Package. This provides the opportunity to explore both sides of the country.

Surfing these eclectic shores is not the only thing that Epic Surfing Adventures offers its patrons. The non-surf tours takes visitors out to the Mayan ruins of San Andres, the still-active volcano in Cerro Verde, visits to coffee plantations, water skiing in crater lakes, touring through colonial towns and even day trips to a canoe ride into the largest bird sanctuary in El Salvador.

But nothing beats the bragging rights of those who get to stay at the breathtaking Hotel MiraFlores on the east coast. Located in front of Punta Las Flores, the magnificent hotel sits on top of a cliff with one of the most spectacular views of Salvadoran air and sea. This excellent location for surf, sea and stay is what keeps this adventurous trip under the Epic Surfing Adventures motto of “tranquilo,” a trip that is bold but able to calm the soul and bring peace to the body. MiraFlores offers a swimming pool, sundeck, hammock-filled pagoda, massages, Internet and DVD rentals – everything an Adventurous Surfer Girl needs before and after a day coursing the ocean.

Epic Surfing Adventures wants all visitors to have a bold day surfing in El Salvador and have the perfect relaxing and tranquil retreat when the sun sets over the western horizon.

Two-passenger East and West Coast Combo Package starts at $850 per person.
Two-passenger East Coast Package: Starts at $1,290 per person.
Two-passenger West Coast Packages:
Five-day Sunzal Point Break starts at $492 per person.
Five-day Mizata Point Break starting at $ 750 per person.

For the Posh Surfer Girl…
Pura Vida Adventures
Costa Rica
puravidaadventures.com

Pura Vida Adventures, located in Costa Rica, is the perfect host to provide any Posh Surfer Girl the adventure of a lifetime. With the unique perspective of bringing the “pure life” to all its visitors, the experience at Costa Rica highlights the true essence of travel.

This seven-day/six-night surf adventure comes with everything a Posh Surfer Girl needs: a good time with no fuss. The package includes daily surf instructions and all equipment, with a choice of more than 30 different surfboards. Surf lessons are limited to a maximum of three students per teacher so everyone can receive that one-on-one attention to become the best wave rider.

After a morning of catching the finest waves, Pura Vida offers an array of activities, including yoga to relax sore muscles, unlimited snorkeling in Costa Rica’s clear blue sea and beachfront massage sessions that include all spa amenities. Closer to the evening, the Sunset Surf Session is where students can try out the new skills obtained during morning lessons or sit on boards above waves to watch the sun paint the sky in reds and disappear below the horizon.

After a dinner made by chef Rodrigo Soriano, Pura Vida gets all the Posh Surfer Girls off their boards and takes them dancing at Tropicana Salsa. With a tropical garden that stretches across an expansive white sand beach, Hotel Tropico Latino is the real Posh Surfer Girl’s paradise. Girls can take a dip in the crystal blue pool or relax at the private beachfront lounge, where the front deck is complete with daybeds, chaises, hammocks, and completely shaded by coconut and almond trees. Can you say dreamy?
Shared accommodations start at $1,995.

For the Bohemian Surfer Girl…
Casa del Sol
Montanita, Ecuador
waterwaystravel.com/surfschool/Montanita.htm

For any Bohemian Surfer Girl who loves the sun, surf and a taste of culture, the Casa del Sol surf school offers some of Ecuador’s finest waves and attractions.

Days at this excellent surf camp start off with bilingual surf instructors who lead classes of only eight students, twice a day for two hours. The really great thing about Casa del Sol is that it keeps things local, and this goes for getting to the best surf spots as well. Some spots are not reachable by other tourists or surfing schools because it takes a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle to get Casa del Sol’s students to these sweet locations. And because these locations serve up a variety of waves, it is a sure way to accelerate skill levels. But a Bohemian Surfer Girl never departs on a trip that is far from the culture and life of its location, and she will love the relaxed atmosphere and diverse crowd at Montanita, the small village near Casa del Sol. At Montanita, surfers can relax with a drink at the local Mango Tango or try some authentic Ecuadorian cuisine at Cerrar Ventana. With surfers frequenting this location from all over the world, Montanita is a sure way to meet people who simply want to enjoy the waves and have a fun time with friends new and old alike.

Six-night package starts at $860.

For the Diva Surfer Girl…
Surf Diva
Costa Rica
surfdiva.com

For the Diva Surfer Girl who is ready for exclusive star treatment and some killer professional instructions on surfing, Surf Diva Costa Rica Adventures is the ultimate destination. Surf Diva is proudly celebrating 13 years of turning thousands of beach lovers into excellent wave runners.

Surf Diva Surf Adventures, located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, keeps its sweet surf spot exclusive and ready at all times. With water temperatures averaging between 70 and 80 degrees, surfers will adore swimming and riding the waves. And with Surf Diva’s CPR- and first-aid-certified instructors, there is no fear in riding the waves that wash ashore. These instructors are level-headed and have extensive knowledge of the surrounding area and how the waves break. And with group lessons limited to five students per instructor, any Diva Surfer Girl will feel that extra care and attention.

But no Diva Surfer Girl can be too far from the pampering that is well-deserved after a day on the water, and Surf Diva offers a full body massage to all its patrons in the privacy of their own hut in the middle of the jungle. Plus, if the Diva Surfer Girl is ready to stretch and unwind, yoga lessons are provided in an absolutely serene outdoor setting with open archways from floor to ceiling and lovely greenery. And nothing beats the Three Starfish property for accommodations. Any Diva Surfer Girl will be impressed with the attractive, spacious rooms, complete with private patio and hammocks. Additionally, all this luxury can be enjoyed by Diva Surfer Girls guilt-free because all the accommodations provided at Surf Diva is 100 percent nature-friendly. In fact, even the delicious meals, tapas, juices and herbal teas served at the hotel’s restaurant are organic and locally grown. This Costa Rican adventure is teeming with life and is ready to serve some excellent waves and a purely diva-perfect experience of a lifetime.

Surf Diva Costa Rica Adventure starts at $1,975.
Surf Diva Surf School price depends on package.
Private lessons are $70 per person for two people.
Two-day weekend surf clinic, level 1, $165 per person.

For the Local Surfer Girl…
Santa Monica Surf School
Santa Monica
santamonicasurfschool.com

The girl who has the desire to learn how to ride the waves but hasn’t got the time to make a break for paradise is not completely out of luck. With its less-threatening waves and consistent warm weather, Southern California is still one of the best places to learn to surf. At Santa Monica Surf School, the Local Surfer Girl can get all the help she needs, either to begin standing up on her board or to sharpen existing . And if the lack of equipment is a drawback, Santa Monica Surf School has all the necessary gear to start paddling out today.

Starter package, $305, includes three two-hour lessons.

For the Independently Chic Surfer Girl…
Surf With Katie
Malibu
surflessonswithkatie.com

For the Chic Surfer Girl who is ready to take on some waves with the help of a competitive wave runner, Surf With Katie lessons are your best bet. Katie’s one-on-one lessons are a sure way for any Chic Surfer Girl to start riding local waves like a pro.

What sets Katie apart from other local surfing lessons is the variety of locations, stretching from Malibu all the way down to Redondo Beach. Also, her structured lesson plans are an awesome way to improve your skills on a step-by-step basis. She assists students on everything from paddling properly out to the waves, to standing in the right position, to professional safety tips.

But Katie isn’t all about how to surf – she’s also got great beauty tips for girls who are avid surfers. She advises any Chic Surfer Girl to run some conditioner through her hair before a run in the waves; it leaves tresses feeling soft and silky even after the saltwater and sunlight. And with everything from surfboards, wetsuits and bottled water provided, Surf With Katie encourages girls to only bring their bathing suits, towels and a ready spirit to take on California’s best waves.

Two-hour private lessons start at $120.

{edited by molly chizzick}