The flip side of hurricane season: Cheaper travel and surf swells

August 17, 2023

From June through November, hurricane season is a time when many travelers are on edge: the unpredictability of a severe storm’s impact on airport travel (and the inevitable ripple effects) can make it seem to be a tenuous time of year to make travel plans. However, this season signals a different thing to people who travel on a budget or ride ocean waves.

Minimizing hurricane season’s effect on summer travel

Want to play it safe in terms of your summer trip? Since June is the beginning of hurricane season, one way to avoid possible disruptions is to avoid destinations that are most likely to be affected by storms. 

In North America, that includes coastal areas in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina. Globally, the Caribbean, Jamaica, Bermuda, the Philippines, Japan and parts of Mexico along the Gulf and Baja Peninsula can also be dramatically affected by the season. However, if one of these international destinations is calling to you due to the usual decrease in travel costs for airfare and hotels, there is always the option of purchasing robust travel protection such as a SafeTrip trip insurance plan, including the International Travel Medical and International Travel Medical Plus plans, which ensure access to health care with vetted providers, no matter where you are in the world. In addition, if parts of your trip are disrupted or cancelled, SafeTrip Travel Protection plans give you backup.

El Niño weather means amazing surfing

El Niño is a climate pattern that includes warmer sea surface temperatures. This warming has an impact on ocean temperatures, currents and local weather, and creates ideal conditions for hurricanes. The combination of El Niño and hurricane season means changes in wave patterns, swells and overall surf quality by generating more consistent and powerful waves — a phenomenon that delights surfers around the world. The trick is to find coastal areas that are far enough away from storms to remain safe, yet close enough to enjoy the ideal surf waves the tropical storms create. As with any sport, be sure you’re up to the skill level demanded, and if you find you’re in over your head, adapt to a lower-key approach to your surfing. 

These surfing storm chasers have their own special bucket list of destinations that tend to offer big wave experiences during hurricane season:

• Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal
• Teahupo’o in Tahiti
• Punta de Lobos in Chile
• Pe’ahi in Maui, Hawaii
• The Outer Banks in North Carolina
• Huntington Beach, Malibu, and Trestles in Southern California 

However, as with any adventure travel, it’s important to be aware of possible health care needs during a surfing trip — up to and including a severe medical emergency or accident. You’ll also want to take measures to protect your expensive surfing gear in case it is lost or damaged during your trip.

Tips for traveling during hurricane season

Dreaming of epic surfing on bigger than usual waves or that dream vacation that you maybe can’t afford during the “on-season” times of the year? Hurricane season offers your best bet for finding amazing swells, plus as other travelers avoid coastal areas due to the hurricane risk, you may find cheaper flights and hotel deals. However, there are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare as well as on your trip. 

Plan early and with contingencies

The further in advance you make your plans, the better prices you will find on your accommodations and flights. However, keep in mind that Mother Nature is unpredictable, and the hurricane season that can create mega swells and drives the prices of travel down can also turn inland and wreak havoc. Build flexibility into your plans, whether it is refundable plane tickets, hotel rooms that can be canceled, or other ways to change your itinerary at the last minute. In addition, tropical vacations during hurricane season are the perfect example of why travel insurance is a must: the combination of unpredictable weather and high-investment travel makes trip protection worth every penny.

Be aware and in touch

The National Hurricane Center offers hurricane forecasts plus real-time updates on active storms so that you can track whether a hurricane will help your vacation — or threaten it. As you are close to embark on your trip, have a plan for travel that includes where to go if you need to evacuate, and also be aware of any local laws and regulations at your destination in case there are any special guidelines or rules in place during the season.

Make smart choices

You’ve arrived at your dream tropical or surf destination — it’s time to hit the beach! But be alert, swimming and surfing during hurricane season can be a bit risky, as the waves are bigger and more challenging to ride than average surf-season swells and the rip current is a lot stronger. In addition, the weather will be hot and humid, so be sure to stay hydrated and protected from too much sun. Watch the weather report, and be sure to be in constant communication with other surfers and beach goers, to help stay informed on the latest conditions.

Insure your trip

Above all, protect yourself and your trip from the risks of hurricane season by purchasing travel medical insurance and trip protection. If you are traveling within the U.S., your trip to the coast can be protected by a Travel Protection plan that covers unforeseen costs of delays, cancellations or lost baggage. In addition, a 24/7 Emergency Response Center is just a call away if you need help figuring what to do if adverse weather affects your trip. You can even add on insurance to cover your surfboard and wet suit.

If you’re headed overseas to surf, keep in mind that the quality of medical care can vary dramatically from destination to destination, plus access to health care can sometimes require special payment guarantees. By purchasing a SafeTrip International Travel Medical or International Travel Medical Plus plan, you have access to a network of care providers around the world, plus have access to evacuation or repatriation coverage plus other support in managing unexpected situations. In addition, you’ll get to dive into your vacation, knowing that no matter the forecast, you’ll be able to weather the situation with the support of a global leader in travel protection.

Sources

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
https://www.surf-forecast.com/weather_maps
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/travel-hurricane-season-advice/