Surfing’s always had a nomadic soul.
We chase swells. We study winds. We follow whispers about sandbanks and reef breaks and that one point that only turns on twice a year.
Hotels can’t follow the tide. Vans can.
That’s what makes this lifestyle so magnetic. Your van becomes your surf shack, your kitchen, your gear cave, your sunset lookout. You’re not checking out—you’re just waiting for the wind to swing offshore.
And life gets simpler. It’s not about squeezing everything in anymore—it’s about slowing down. Listening. Moving with the weather.
Drive. Surf. Eat. Rest. Repeat.
So let’s dive into what you really need to chase your dream waves in a little home on wheels.
Table of Contents
What You Actually Need
After enough flat batteries, muddy campsites, and wetsuits that refused to dry, here’s the gear we’d pack again—and again.
Simple Van Setup
You don’t need oak cabinetry or a solar-powered espresso machine. A comfy mattress, smart storage, and decent airflow go a long way. If you can sleep well, cook a meal, and keep your gear dry—you’re set.
Way to Dry Your Wetsuit
Always hang it outside. Wet neoprene inside a van smells like defeat—and that smell lingers. Roof racks, bungee cords, a line between trees… whatever works, use it.
Quick-Dry Towel or Changing Poncho
Lightweight, fast-drying, and good for modest changes in carparks or beach lay-bys. It’ll double as your blanket, your towel, and sometimes your privacy curtain.
Check out our guide to the Best Surf Changing Towels
Basic Cooking Setup
One burner. One pot. One pan. That’s enough.
Oats or granola in the morning, a quick stir-fry at night, and a sandwich with canned tuna when you’re too surfed-out to cook. Maybe a squeeze of lemon if you’re feeling fancy.
It’s not about cuisine—it’s about fuel between sessions. Simple, satisfying, and best eaten barefoot.
Headlamp and Battery Power
When you’re swapping fins at 5 a.m. or cooking under stars, a good headlamp is a lifesaver. A small solar charger or portable battery keeps your phone alive and tunes going.
Rain Jacket and Gumboots
You won’t think of them—until you need them. When the ground turns to sludge or it’s dumping sideways rain, these become the MVPs of your kit. Especially for those late-night nature calls.
Surfboard Repair Kit
A tiny ding can ruin a great swell. Bring some resin, sandpaper, and a bit of patience—you’ll thank yourself later. There’s nothing worse than watching perfect waves roll in while your board’s out of action. Don’t let a small hole cost you a session.
Just the Boards You’ll Use
One go-to stick. Maybe a backup. Leave the six-board dream quiver at home unless you’re filming a surf edit. Extra boards = clutter, bruised shins, and a crankier sleep setup.
First Aid Kit
Not just plasters. Pack antiseptic, tweezers (sea urchins are real), painkillers, and sting relief. You never know what the ocean might throw at you—better to be prepared.
Portable Shower or Rinse Kit
Salt and sand are part of the magic—until they’re not. A portable shower (pressurized or gravity-fed) becomes a luxury after a few days off-grid. Worth every drop.
Sunscreen + Zinc
You’re in the sun more than you think. Invest in a tough mineral sunscreen and a zinc stick that won’t vanish after one duck dive. Your skin (and the ocean) will thank you.
Mosquito Spray
They will find you. Every time. Don’t let the buzzing ruin your sleep or your sanity. Spray early, spray often.
What You Don’t Need
A Glam Van Build
Yeah, the custom Sprinter with the cedar ceiling looks amazing on Instagram. But that rusty old Hiace with mismatched curtains? It’ll get you to the same waves. The ocean doesn’t care how fancy your rig is—it just cares that you show up.
A Full Kitchen Setup
You’ll dream of cast-iron skillets and herb racks. In reality, you’ll eat with your hands or straight from the pot more often than not. Simple meals. Simple tools. Save the gourmet stuff for after the trip.
Half Your Wardrobe
You’ll rotate between the same four things—trust us. The rest just ends up damp, sandy, and in the way. Pack light. Pack practical. And bring one thing that feels like home.
Wi-Fi Everywhere
Signal bars don’t matter when the waves are firing. Some of the best spots won’t have service—and that’s part of the magic. Let the outside world wait while you dive into the real one.
Lessons from the Road
You’ll forget something. Always. Maybe it’s your stove fuel. Maybe your only towel.
You’ll get stuck in sand. Take a wrong turn. Paddle out when the tide is all wrong—and laugh about it later. Or not.
You’ll cook dinner with a wax comb. Sleep through alarms. Stay up too late talking to strangers who feel like old friends by morning.
You’ll also wake to skies painted in pink. Watch mist lift off empty waves. Share moments that aren’t on camera but stay with you for years.
You’ll learn that coffee brewed barefoot, stove hissing in the wind, is better than anything in town. That dry socks feel like luxury. That nature doesn’t rush, and neither should you.
Van life doesn’t smooth out the bumps—it invites them in. But that’s the beauty of it. The road roughens you just enough to remember what matters.
Not perfection. Not polish.
Just presence.
Just real.
Final Word
If you’re dreaming of a surf trip on wheels—don’t wait.
You don’t need the ultimate van. Or the right gear. Just a board, a loose plan, and the kind of curiosity that follows swell and ends up somewhere unforgettable.
So go.
Pack light. Stay open. Watch the skies.