Surf Van - About Renting and Buying Surf Vans, Where to Go and Where to Stay
The Ultimate Surf Van Life
Remember that daydream you had about having your own van, free to go wherever the wind takes you? Your own tiny house that allows you to be and feel at home at any place and any given time. A safe place equipped with all the simple comforts you need. Finding back the simplicity of life, with a comfy bed, a tiny kitchen, surfboards strapped on your roof, a good book to read and a couple candles to accompany the calm darkness at night. Chasing the sun, in search for a good spot where the sound of the waves will sing you to sleep. Waking up with the sun and a good cup of your own coffee, surrounded by the tranquility and serenity of nature’s wonders. Being able to check the waves right as you slide open your door in the morning and getting in the water before anybody else does. Feeling completely one with the ocean and the waves, while getting swallowed by its unfathomable beauty.
There is something truly desirable about the Van Life. Its minimalistic feel with the freedom of staying and going whenever you please, is something highly attractive in this day and age where time and money seems to be limited, stress unescapable and responsibility lurking around every corner you go. A van will allow you to momentarily break free from the burdens of society, giving you a means to escape the grayness of the concrete jungles by finding refuge in the calmness and peace of mother nature’s embrace.
All of this might seem more like a daydream that is far away from becoming a reality, well think again. It might be a search to find the van that fits your budget and wishes, but where a will is, is a way and this guide will give you a push in the right direction in making this dream come true.
How to Choose a Surf Van
Before you embark on your own hippie adventure full of chasing waves and exploring the unknown experiences of life, it is important to know what surf van fits you best to make it all happen. Preparation is key, and the right tips and tricks will prevent you from finding yourself in unforeseen situations. Knowing where to look for will safe you a ton of time and money and will give you the right confidence to start your Van Life journey.
Before searching in every corner of the web or town in search for you dream van, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions. Take a piece of paper and visualize yourself already having that van. Stay realistic and form a balanced picture of what you need. Scribble down points of importance to consider, such as, your budget, how many persons does it need to fit, what features do you want it to have and are you a handy man or women yourself or would you like to buy one that is already equipped with everything you need?
Budget
It all stars with your will and your budget. Always calculate in a buffer in you budget, since it will quite likely get a little more expensive than anticipated. This does not mean that you need to be rich to buy a van. Non-conversed second-hand vans can be found for as little as 2000 euros. At the other end of the spectrum, if you do have loads of cash to spend on your luxury dream surf van you can go as high as 70.000 euros.
If you like to keep it cheap but comfortable, second-handies will be your best bet. You can find already converted camper vans, or convert one yourself. Whichever surf van you like to go for, do calculate a part in your budget for replacing parts and thing that will wear out, such as brakes, tyres, door locks, the prop shaft, the clutch and the exhaust. But don’t let this discourage you, if you drive you surf van well and take good care of it, you will be able to explore thousands of kilometers without having to fix anything major.
Size
Going too big when you just want to cruise down the roads of freedom alone or as a couple, is not the best idea. You want a van that is small enough to make parking and mobility as optimal as possible and one that is big enough to offer a comfortable living space. What you judge as comfortable will depend on the duration of your van life trips. If you only want to use it on the weekends for small trips to the closer beaches, you will be still satisfied with a van that is a tad smaller with simpler utilities and features. Whereas, if you choose to embark on a journey that can take up to weeks or months of gypsy living, you will want to make sure you have a place that will keep you warm, comfortable, and safe to ensure an enjoyable adventure.
Number of Passengers
A standard camper van is perfect to fit two love birds or two good friends. If you have a separate tent or pop-top roof with a bed you can easily go with a group of three friends. However, if you plan to drive it around Europe, make sure that you have an equal number of seats with seatbelts to avoid any legal trouble and, of course, any physical injuries. In addition, remember that you are sharing a very small living space. This is all light, breezy, and easy when the sun is out with good conditions to chase waves all day, but when the swell is nowhere to be found and the weather is shitty, you still want to be able to retreat comfortably in your tiny home with the people you share it with.
If you want to live the dream with just you and your lover or best friend, a VW camper van, car derived van or small panel van will suit your needs nicely. If you like to increase it to a party of four, a large panel van or motorhome will be the better choice.
When Buying
If you have decided on jumping on board of the Van Life, to chase the waves and the sun, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Especially if you are thinking about buying a second-hand van. You do not want to be stuck on the side of the road before arriving at your first destination. A second-hand surf van is a very good option for those who do not have a ton of cash to spend, but choosing the right one can be tricky.
First of all, look if it has a full service history (FSH) or a mainly complete service history (SH). This means that the owners have taken good care of the van and it gives you a good indication of the current condition of the van.
Then there is the mileage. A high mileage should make you extra careful. However, it is no reason to walk away altogether. If the car has a higher mileage (above 100,000 miles), but has a good service history, it could still be a good buy. Leisure vans generally have a lower mileage compared to modern vehicles, which can easily go over the 200,000 miles mark. Although, older models will mostly have older technology as well, so think twice about buying that VW T2 with over 100,000 miles on the clock if you want to lower you risk of your beloved surf van breaking down for more than its worth. If you are not the mechanical genius yourself, always bring someone with you who is, or comes close to it, if you go to view or buy your surf van. This can save you from risky buys. Take your time with your purchase and don’t rush into it. See different camper vans and even see vans outside your price range (just don’t mention it), just to broaden your perspective of what is out there. Make sure that all the documents are there and if you feel unsure about a document, don’t buy the van. Also, don’t go for the van without a V5 log book. And when you are at it, check if the engine number and the chassis number on the document match those of the surf van. Lastly, be very sure of your purchase. If you don’t like something about the van, don’t buy it thinking it is easily replaced. Replacing a part of a camper van or motorhome can be very difficult and more often than not, not really worth it. This is your surf van and you want it to feel yours, so trust your rationality as well as your gut.
Types of Vans
The Classic T2
Starting with the classics, there is the VW T2. A classic camper van breathing nostalgia and the surf van vibes. If you get your hands on this model and you are planning to use it just on the weekends or for short trips this can be a good option. If you are planning a long road trip across Europe, you are better off with a newer and sturdier model. The engines are underpowered in most cases, so you will be spending loads on petrol. These beauties are also weak against rust because of their age and the ones in good condition are hard to find and generally overpriced because of the high demand.
VW T4 & T5
The newest models of the classic VW van, such as the T4 or T5, are probably the best small vans money can buy. They are reliable and well built with everything you need already inside. A great option for 2 persons and also a good buy if you want to be on the road for a long time. Another perk is that buying a T4 will most of the time be cheaper than buying an older T2, and besides, you will be saving on the fuel bills as well.
Panel Vans
Buying a panel van can also be a very good buy. These vans are one of the best for camper van conversions, since they are large, come in many sizes, are reliable, affordable, and easy to drive. Companies like Westfalia and other camper van conversion companies are out there and can make your empty panel van into a true little customized surfer’s shack on wheels. If you are a handy man yourself and particular about how you want it, you can also choose to get busy and convert one yourself. This will really give you the ability to make it just how you want it and the satisfaction afterwards will make all the time and occasional frustration definitely worth it. Just go online and google “How To Convert a Van Into a Camper Van” and there will be tons of blogs and videos on YouTube popping up that will walk you through every step along the way of making your surf van dream a reality.
Where to Buy a Van
When you finally have decided which van will fit your picture, hunting season will begin. If you are looking to buy a brand-new surf van, best is to find out where your closest dealer is. Sometimes you will be able to buy an already converted camper van, and other times you will have to buy a van first and then find a conversion company to make it into a tiny home. Conversion companies are not abundant but they are definitely findable in Europe and around. A famous example is Westfalia, who has a long history of campervan conversions.
If you are on the hunt for a good second-hand camper van or van, eBay or other second-hand online market places will be good platforms to search on. Don’t forget to just ask around or go on Facebook. There are multiple pages specially dedicated to selling and buying camper vans and parts.
Renting a Surf Van
Not ready for the commitment and effort to buy your own surf van? No problem, there are multiple ways of renting one to start your road trip across Europe.
You can find rental companies based in different European countries, where you can book your surf van online and pick it up on a preferred date. An example for such a company is Origin Campervans based in Lille. They can pick you up from the train station for free and bring you to your fully equipped and ready-to-go surf van. If you want to go for the ultimate escape and want to combine the surf van life with island life, you can even rent a surf van through Ventura Van on Fuerteventura in the Canaries. Another good option is West Coast Campers, based in different locations in Spain and Portugal. Here you can find great waves along the coast and with West Coast Campers you can have yourself a 5-person campervan for under 50 euros a night! If you would like to start closer to home you can book one through Indie Campers, which has pick up and drop off locations spread across Europe. If you are really feeling adventurous and want to go for the ultimate hippie experience you can rent one through Wicked Campers. This budget rental company has locations all over the planet and offers campervans with sick paintjobs and all the utilities you need. Some campervans they have even come with a roof pop-up tent to fit even more people. Locations are based in places all over Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America, South America and Africa. This company also allows you to pick up the surf van in one place and drop it off in another, which gives you a lot of flexibility in your road trip planning. Strap the surfboards on the roof, don’t forget your wetsuit and let the wind take you places you’ve only dreamed of. The daily rental rates differ per company, but go from 50 to 80 euros a day depending on the size of the car and the place you rent it.
Destinations
Living the Surf Van Life will give you an experience incomparable with any other way of travelling. It gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want, with the comfort of having all you need right there with you. No stress about finding places to stay, which can be highly overpriced in touristic places. It gives you the ability to live completely off-the-grid, going to unexplored places and gives you the chance to camp and sleep in the most astonishing, robust, and wild spots in nature. Drive up a mountain at night just to see where it takes you and let your sleeping spot be a beautiful surprise every night. Wake up with the sun rising over picture perfect landscapes. Drive up a coastline at the end of a day of surfing, all rosy and fulfilled, while chasing the sunset with a feeling of sheer bliss, to fall asleep to the sound of the waves at night. To make these dreams reality, we have laid out a couple destinations in Europe to make your road trip absolutely unforgettable.
Cornwall, England
Cornwall county is an incredible place to explore with your camper van. With its 400-mile coastline filled with some superb views and great waves. If you go during summer, temperatures will be warm on land and in the sea. And although we all have heard stories about the English weather, the weather in this part of England can be pretty consistently beautiful during the summer months compared to the other regions. Unfortunately, wild camping is strictly forbidden in almost all places. Campsites are therefore found in plenty of places, and you can check the UKCampsite website for campsites in the area. however, we also have some nearly-free camping tips for you.
• Tintagel – Allows you to stay overnight for a 3£ fee, but there are no facilities and the toilets are closed at night.
• Lizard’s Point – If you pay for parking you can stay overnight here and there is even a toilet. You are parked next to a light house which makes for an esthetic feel, if you don’t mind the flickering light at night.
Lacanau Ocean, France
This is a true French surf town with endless beaches and lots of waves. Beautiful weather is guaranteed during the warm summer months and it has good spots to surf for the beginner and more experienced surfer. The north beach has a free car park and if you want more comfort you can choose to stay at the 4-star campsite Grand Pins, which is also at the north beach. Our camps in Moliets, Vieux Boucau and Le Pin Sec are just a stone's throw of the vivid town.
Biarritz, Basque Country, France
This beautiful city in the Basque Country is a must stop for every traveling surfer. Highly loved by surf van owners because of its free and convenient parking possibilities. You can surf right at the city’s beaches. The city is built on a hill, which makes for some astounding views and gives the city an amazing feel with its authentic architecture. Down at the beachfront you can park and there are public toilets with outdoor showers that are clean and open 24/7. Rumor has it that the parking places down the hill will be replaced by a pedestrian area, but if this happens you can still park on top of the hill with only a short walk down to the beach.
San Vincente de la Barquera, Spain
The Cantabria region in Spain is full of great spots to surf for all surfers. Submerge yourself in Spanish culture filled with good vibes, great food and an abundance of beautiful beaches. In San Vincente de la Barquera you can camp for free and there are also plenty of campsites around.
Peniche, Portugal
Portugal is great to cruise around with your surf van, since living there is cheap and you can camp almost everywhere for free. The area around Peniche is famous for the surf spot Supertubos and if the swell is working there will almost always be waves. The bay of Praia do Baleal has a lot of car parks where you can camp for free, and there are also very cheap campsites close to the beaches.
The Algarve, Portugal
Considered to be one of the most popular places for campervan travelers, the Algarve region in Portugal will be a real treat for the travelling surfer. The area has good weather all year round and has a stunning coast-line filled with uncrowded bays and great waves. You can park your surf van almost anywhere on its beautiful coast-line. Although tourism has picked up in the last years, there are still lots of unspoiled areas to explore. Besides, if you dodge high season, you will still be able to enjoy good weather minus all the tourists.
