Introduction
The dream of waking up to the sound of breaking waves, grabbing a sunrise surf session, and then logging on for a few hours of remote work is something many aspire to. I am sitting on a beautiful stoep (decking/veranda) overlooking crisp four foot waves peeling along the Supertubes section of Jeffrey’s Bay as I’m writing, and I can say with absolute conviction that this is very much where I want to be in life!
But while the digital nomad surfer lifestyle looks and sounds like pure and enviable freedom, there’s one crucial reality that can’t be ignored—the costs of living as a digital nomad surfer.
Balancing financial stability with the pursuit of waves requires careful budgeting and strategic planning. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your current nomadic routine, this guide breaks down the key costs of living as a digital nomad surfer, from accommodation and visas to surf gear and remote work essentials. Let’s break down the true costs of living as a digital nomad surfer.
Understanding Regional Cost Variations
The cost of living as a digital nomad surfer varies widely, depending on your destination. Surfing hubs like Bali, Mexico, and Sri Lanka offer affordable living, while places like California, Australia, and parts of Europe come with significantly higher expenses. Personal lifestyle choices also play a major role—some nomads embrace a minimalist, budget-conscious lifestyle, while others opt for more comfort and convenience. Throughout this article, I’ve aimed to include costs for both low-budget and higher-cost destinations, giving you a comprehensive overview of what to expect, no matter where you choose to chase waves and work remotely.
(All prices are in USD unless otherwise stated.)
1. Accommodation Costs
Where you stay significantly impacts your monthly budget. Some surfers opt for budget-friendly hostels or co-living spaces, while others commit to long-term rentals or even van life. Here’s how different options compare:
- Co-living spaces: Designed for digital nomads, these offer strong Wi-Fi, networking opportunities, and community. Costs vary—$400-$1,500 per month in lower-cost destinations like Bali, but in Australia, the US, and Western Europe, expect $1,500-$3,500 per month.
- Long-term rentals: In surfer-friendly countries like Bali, Portugal, or Costa Rica, renting an apartment can cost $300-$800 per month, but in places like California, Sydney, or the French Atlantic coast, expect $1,500-$4,000 per month.
- Van life: A one-time purchase of a van can be a long-term cost saver, though fuel, insurance, and maintenance add up—more expensive in Australia, North America, and Europe than in Southeast Asia, South Africa or South America. For example at home in the UK and across most of Europe we are currently paying around $1.95 per litre, while here in South Africa we are filling up for $1.10. It is well worth doing your research and breaking down prices before you arrive.
- Hostels & guesthouses: Great for short-term stays, with dorm beds starting at $10 per night in Bali, but $30-$80 in places like Sydney, California, or Portugal.
- Airbnb & hotels: The priciest option but useful for short-term convenience—$40-$100 per night in budget areas, but easily $150-$400 in places like Malibu, Byron Bay, or Biarritz.
Budget tip: Rent for longer periods to secure discounts, and consider destinations with lower living costs.
2. Visas & Legal Considerations
Many countries now offer digital nomad visas, which allow remote workers to stay for extended periods legally.
- Visa-free travel: Some destinations allow 30-90 day stays on a tourist visa, but frequent visa runs can be costly.
- Digital nomad visas: Countries like Spain, Portugal, Costa Rica, and Indonesia offer long-term visas, with costs ranging from $300-$2,000, while Australia, Canada, and the US have stricter work visa requirements, making it harder to stay long-term without proper planning.
- Hidden costs: Application fees, visa extensions, proof of income requirements, and health insurance policies.
Budget tip: Check visa rules before committing to a destination to avoid costly surprises.
3. Remote Work Essentials
A solid remote work setup is non-negotiable for digital nomads. Costs vary depending on your needs:
- Reliable Wi-Fi: Co-working spaces charge around $50-$250 per month in Bali or Mexico, but in New York, London, or Sydney, expect $300-$600 per month.
- Tech gear: A good laptop, noise-canceling headphones, and other essential tech can cost $1,500-$3,000 upfront.
- Portable Wi-Fi device: Staying connected (with high stability) is super important if you are not working out of a co-working space, however, most options still rely on existing cellular networks—if the infrastructure is poor in a remote area, your connection will be weak regardless of the device you use (with one exception – read on to find out!). Here’s my suggestions for three tiers of connectivity:
| Urban (high standard of local infrastructure) | Solis Lite Hotspot & Power Bank With Lifetime Data – $159.99 upfront fee includes 1GB of “free” data each month. Global Unlimited Data is $99 per month. |
| Rural (moderate standard of local infrastructure) | Nighthawk M3 5G Router (with external antenna) – $600 upfront cost plus local nano data sim. |
| Off Grid (no local infrastructure or van/boat life) | Starlink Roam – $599 upfront cost and $50 per month for 50gb or $165 per month for unlimited data. Please note that Starlink Roam used to offer an unlimited Global Roam option, but sadly they have recently consolidated their tariffs and you are only permitted to use your kit internationally for up to two months at a time! This really frustrating as it is a fantastic solution for the more adventurous digital nomad surfer who loves to get off the beaten track! |
- Local SIM cards & eSIMs: In many cases, purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM is the best way to ensure a reliable and affordable internet connection. Many digital nomads prefer this option over portable Wi-Fi devices due to better network coverage, higher data caps, and lower costs. My personal choice is the Airalo E-Sim, which has never let me down. I generally don’t pay more than $30 a month for a good chunk of data (sometimes unlimited) but it’s worth noting this does vary according to the country you are visiting. It’s well worth using their fantastic country search to check if this option fits your budget.
- Backup power sources: Essential in remote areas—consider a power bank or solar charger which will set you back anywhere from $100 to $1,000 depending on capacity and brand.
- Subscription services: VPNs, cloud storage, and software can add $50-$100 per month.
- Surfline Premium+: Hands down the best surf forecasting site/app, however, Surfline doesn’t just tune you into the best waves a region has to offer, if you sign up to premium+ for $74.99 annually, you can even sync their surfcams with your smartwatch and/or use AI to get some of the greatest Instagram clips of all time!
Budget tip: Some co-working memberships offer global access, helping to reduce long-term costs.
4. Travel & Transport Costs
Getting to and from surf destinations can be pricey, particularly when carrying a surfboard.
- Flights: International travel varies widely, but expect $500-$2,000 per flight.
- Surfboard airline fees: Some airlines charge $50-$150 per board per flight.
- Local transport: Renting a scooter or bicycle for beach access is common—$5-$15 per day in Indonesia, but $50+ per day in Australia or the US.
- Buying a van/car: This can be $5,000-$30,000 upfront but may save money long-term.
Budget tip: Use budget airlines that don’t charge ridiculously high extra prices for surfboards (e.g., Jetstar, Southwest, KLM) and invest in a durable travel bag.
5. Surfing Costs
Surfing isn’t the most expensive sport, but gear and maintenance add up over time.
Buying vs. renting a surfboard: This varies massively due to manufacturer, location, and condition (for used boards) but the following is a loose guide. Rentals range from $5-$15 per day in Bali, $20-$30 per day in Portugal, and $30-$50 in places like Hawaii or Australia (ask about long term rentals for big savings!), while the following gives you an idea of the cost of buying.
Foamie (Soft Top) Surfboards: $200–$500
2nd Hand Epoxy/PU Shortboards: $200–$1,000
2nd Hand Mid-Lengths/Funboards: $250–$1,100
Longboards: $750–$1,900+
High-Performance or Custom Surfboards: $1,000–$2,500+
Surfboard maintenance: Repairs, new fins, leashes, and wax can add $100-$300 per year.
Wetsuits & accessories: Depending on climate, wetsuits cost $100-$500, but premium suits for colder waters in Northern California or Europe can exceed $700.
Surf camps & lessons: Advanced training sessions or camps can be anywhere from $50 to $1,000 per day, depending on location and inclusions.
Budget tip (long version): Buy second-hand gear or travel with a compact quiver to save on rental fees. As a longboard/mid-length surfer you can imagine the nightmares I have faced with international and even local travel! My hack is to look for high quality, well priced used boards on local marketplace websites, or through local word of mouth and then leave them with friends or even at the co-working space (if they allow it). That way I have a global quiver without the hassle of transportation. This option is not for everyone, or even possible in many places, but one example is I currently have a beautiful Christenson Lane Splitter 6’8″ Twin Fin (that I paid $250 for on Gumtree) that lives here at JBay, with the guesthouse owner that I always stay with. He tucks it away in his shed when I’m not there…
6. Food & Daily Living Expenses
The cost of food varies greatly by destination:
- Cooking at home: Local markets make groceries affordable—$100-$300 per month in Bali, but $400-$800 in places like Australia, France, or California.
- Eating out: Western-style restaurants charge $8-$20 per meal in Indonesia, but $20-$50 in Sydney or Los Angeles.
- Coffee & drinks: Daily coffee runs add up—$2-$5 per cup in Mexico, but $5-$10 in Europe or the US.
- Social & entertainment: Beach bars, excursions, and activities can range from $50-$300 per month.
Budget tip: Buy fresh ingredients from local markets and cook most meals to cut costs. If you are going to eat out, try to go where the locals hang out and avoid the tourist traps!
Conclusion
Living as a digital nomad surfer isn’t free (what is???), but with the right financial planning, it can be an affordable and sustainable long term lifestyle. By budgeting wisely for accommodation, travel, work essentials, and surfing costs, you can enjoy the best of both worlds—riding waves and earning a living remotely.
The key takeaway? Plan ahead, live simply, and find ways to make your budget stretch without sacrificing experience. With a strategic approach, this lifestyle isn’t just a dream—it’s completely attainable.
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