What LineUpEXplorers does

LineUpEXplorers GmbH, operating under the brand LUEX, is a Cologne, Germany-based specialist surf and snow travel agency founded in 2007. It functions as a curated booking intermediary that connects surf travelers with accommodation providers and charter operators across at least 18 countries spanning Europe (Portugal, France, Spain), Asia (Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Philippines), Oceania (Fiji, New Zealand), Central America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador), South America (Brazil, Peru), and Africa (Morocco, South Africa). The company serves surf enthusiasts ranging from beginners to professional surfers, luxury travelers seeking high-end surf resorts and private yacht charters, families and couples, groups and corporate clients, and a roster of professional athletes and celebrities.

The product surface is organized into three core accommodation types (Surf Resorts, Surf Boats, and Surf Camps) bundled into destination packages covering the Maldives (across North/South Male, Central, Northern, and Southern Atolls), Indonesia (Bali, Mentawai, Sumatra, Rote), Nicaragua, Fiji, and Sri Lanka, supported by a Trip Finder search tool on luex.com. The platform is described as a web-based booking system paired with a personal-advisor consultation model in which practicing surfers provide individualized trip planning via phone and email rather than fully automated online booking. Distribution relies on partnerships with luxury resort chains (Niyama, Six Senses, Four Seasons, Anantara, Bulgari, COMO, Soneva) and surf charter boat operators (Kudanil Explorer, Ratu Motu, Azalea, Ocean Divine, Sea Farer).

LUEX earns revenue through transaction-fee commissions on bookings; pricing is quote-based, ranging from budget surf camps to ultra-luxury boats and resorts, with a stated Best Price Guarantee. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and human-advisory: customers reach advisors through German (+49) and North American (+1) phone lines or website inquiries. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, ownership is founder-controlled, and the only disclosed investor is Blue Tomato founder Gerfried Schuller. The firm has built brand equity through celebrity and athlete clientele (Tom Curren, Sebastian Steudtner, Julian Wilson, Blake Mycoskie) and coverage in Red Bull, Forbes, NY Times, and surf trade publications, with 4.8/5.0 average rating across approximately 284+ customer reviews aggregated on Trustpilot, Google, and Facebook. <parameter name="company_description">LineUpEXplorers GmbH, operating as LUEX, is a Cologne, Germany-based specialist surf and snow travel agency founded in 2007. It functions as a curated booking intermediary connecting surf travelers with vetted accommodation providers and charter operators across destinations in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Central America, South America, and Africa. The company serves surf enthusiasts ranging from beginners to professionals, luxury travelers, families and couples, groups, and corporate clients, as well as a notable roster of professional athletes and brand-name clients including Tom Curren, Sebastian Steudtner, Julian Wilson, and Blake Mycoskie (TOMS).

The product surface is organized into three core accommodation categories (Surf Resorts, Surf Boats, and Surf Camps) bundled into destination packages covering the Maldives (subdivided by atoll region), Indonesia (Bali, Mentawai, Sumatra, Rote), Nicaragua, Fiji, and Sri Lanka, supported by a Trip Finder search tool on luex.com. The platform is described as a web-based booking system paired with a personal-advisor consultation model in which practicing surfers provide individualized trip planning. Distribution relies on partnerships with luxury resort chains (Niyama, Six Senses, Four Seasons, Anantara, Bulgari, COMO, Soneva) and surf charter boat operators (Kudanil Explorer, Ratu Motu, Azalea, Ocean Divine, Sea Farer).

LUEX earns revenue through transaction-fee commissions on bookings. Pricing is quote-based, ranging from budget surf camps to ultra-luxury boats and resorts, accompanied by a Best Price Guarantee. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and human-advisory: customers reach advisors via German (+49) and North American (+1) phone lines or website inquiries, with no fully automated online booking. Headcount sits at 1-10 employees, ownership is founder-controlled with a 4-person named management team (Tim Heising as Managing Director), and the only disclosed investor is Blue Tomato founder Gerfried Schuller. Brand equity is anchored by media coverage in Red Bull, Forbes, NY Times, and trade surf publications, with a 4.8/5.0 average rating across approximately 284+ aggregated customer reviews. <parameter name="company_description_short">LineUpEXplorers GmbH (LUEX) is a Cologne-based specialist surf and snow travel agency that connects surf travelers with vetted resorts, charter boats, and surf camps across 18+ countries via human-advisor consultation on a commission basis.

Name

LineUpEXplorers

Legal name

LineUpEXplorers GmbH

Website

https://luex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LineUpEXplorers GmbH (LUEX) is a Cologne-based specialist surf and snow travel agency connecting surf travelers with vetted resorts, charter boats, and surf camps across 18+ countries via personal-advisor consultation on a commission basis. <parameter name="company_description_short">LineUpEXplorers GmbH (LUEX) is a Cologne-based specialist surf and snow travel agency connecting surf travelers with vetted resorts, charter boats, and surf camps across 18+ countries via personal-advisor consultation on a commission basis. <parameter name="description_short">LineUpEXplorers GmbH (LUEX) is a Cologne-based specialist surf and snow travel agency connecting surf travelers with vetted resorts, charter boats, and surf camps across 18+ countries via personal-advisor consultation on a commission basis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Surf Trip Bookings: LUEX earns commissions by booking surf trips including resorts, surf boats, surf camps, and charter vessels. The company acts as an intermediary between surf travelers and accommodation/boat operators worldwide, providing personalized booking services with expert advice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LineUpEXplorers (LUEX) is a specialized surf and snow travel agency that intermediates bookings between surf travelers and third-party resort, boat, and camp operators worldwide. Its core offerings are curated surf trips sold as three accommodation types (surf resorts, surf boats, surf camps) bundled into destination packages spanning the Maldives, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Fiji, Sri Lanka, and other regions. Customers engage personal expert advisors (active surfers) by phone or email for custom itineraries and quote-based pricing.

Product overview

LineUpEXplorers (LUEX) is a surf and snow travel booking platform offering a curated marketplace of surf trip packages. The core offerings include three accommodation types: Surf Resorts (luxury properties like Niyama Private Islands and Anantara Uluwatu), Surf Boats (charter vessels ranging from budget to luxury like Kudanil Explorer), and Surf Camps (budget-friendly communal accommodations). These are organized around destination packages covering major surf regions including the Maldives (with sub-regions North/South Male, Central, and Northern Atolls), Indonesia (Bali, Mentawai, Sumatra, Rote), Nicaragua, Fiji, Sri Lanka, and others. The platform functions as a travel agency connecting surfers with vetted accommodations and boat charters, featuring expert advice and booking services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surf Resorts Curated surf resort bookings at luxury and mid-range properties worldwide, including Niyama Private Islands, AYADA Maldives, Kandui Villas, Anantara Uluwatu, and Six Senses Laamu. Designed for surf travelers seeking on-shore accommodations near surf breaks with full amenities.
• Surf Boats Charter boat surf trips providing access to remote wave locations, ranging from budget-friendly vessels like Sea Farer to luxury charters such as Kudanil Explorer and Ratu Motu West Papua. Designed for surfers seeking access to uncrowded breaks in places like the Maldives and Indonesia.
• Surf Camps Budget-friendly surf camp accommodations in Morocco, Portugal, Indonesia, Costa Rica, France, and the Maldives offering communal vibes and proximity to surf breaks. Designed for cost-conscious surfers and beginner-to-intermediate travelers.
• Maldives Surf Trips Comprehensive Maldives surf packages bundling resorts, boat charters, and camps across North & South Male Atolls, Central Atolls, and Northern Atolls. Designed for surf travelers targeting Maldivian atolls and breaks.
• Indonesia Surf Trips Surf travel packages covering Indonesian destinations including Bali, Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, and Rote, featuring world-class reef breaks and boat charters. Designed for surfers seeking Indonesian wave regions.
• Nicaragua Surf Trips Surf packages to Nicaragua featuring beach breaks, reef setups, and point waves, with accommodations ranging from luxury resorts like Mukul Resort to surf camps. Designed for surfers targeting Central American waves.
• Fiji Surf Trips Surf packages to Fiji including resort stays at Six Senses Fiji and boat charters such as Gipsea Fiji Surf Charter for accessing world-class breaks. Designed for surfers traveling to Fiji.
• Sri Lanka Surf Trips Surf packages to Sri Lanka featuring pointbreaks, reef setups, and beach breaks with accommodations such as Cape Weligama and Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle, plus surf camps. Designed for surfers targeting Sri Lankan waves.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% chance of encountering epic waves in Mentawais (vs 76% in Hawaii, 80% in Australia)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Red BullcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRed Bull athletes including Julian Wilson, Michel Bourez, and Matt Wilkinson have traveled with LUEX. LUEX has hosted Red Bull team trips in the Maldives, providing premium surf experiences for elite athletes.
• GoPro EMEAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLUEX hosted GoPro Europe's team in the Maldives, combining their expert camera work with premium surf experience. Content created from these trips likely used for GoPro marketing materials.
• Dakine Pro TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDakine Pro Team has taken trips with LUEX, featuring in company testimonials and marketing materials.
• Various Resort Partners (Niyama, Six Senses, Four Seasons, Anantara, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLUEX distributes surf bookings for numerous luxury resort chains including Niyama Private Islands, Six Senses, Four Seasons, Anantara, Bulgari, COMO, Soneva, and others across Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and other destinations.
• Various Surf Boat OperatorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLUEX distributes bookings for surf charter boats including Kudanil Explorer, Ratu Motu, Azalea, Ocean Divine, Sea Farer, and dozens of other vessels in Maldives and Indonesia.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Perfect Wave: Australian surf travel agency selling surf resorts, boats, and camps across the Maldives, Indonesia, and Pacific. Closest direct competitor by product mix and surf-specialist positioning.
• Indiesurfer: Surf travel agency focused on luxury surf trips and boat charters in Indonesia and the Maldives. Overlaps directly with LUEX's premium product set and customer profile.
• World Surfaris: Australia-based surf travel specialist booking boat charters and surf resorts in Indonesia, Maldives, and beyond. Mirrors LUEX's commission model and surf-expert advisor approach.
• Tropicsurf: Luxury surf experience operator (resorts and yacht charters) with destination expertise at Maldives, Indonesia, and Pacific resorts. Comparable premium positioning and pro-athlete clientele.
• Aqua Surf Travel: UK-based surf travel operator arranging surf camps and resort trips across Europe, Morocco, and Indo-Pacific. Smaller competitor with overlapping beginner-to-intermediate surf-trip portfolio.
• Stoked Surf Adventures: Boutique surf travel agency running surf camp and resort packages, primarily in Central America and Indonesia. Similar advisor-led service model for surf enthusiasts.

Others

• Blue Tomato: Leading European action-sports retailer and known LUEX investor (via founder Gerfried Schuller). Adjacent rather than competing — provides retail channel and brand equity to LUEX.

Emerging players

• Indo Surf & Lingo: Indonesia-focused surf travel operator offering boat charters and learn-to-surf experiences. Smaller scale but overlapping Indonesia-centric inventory with LUEX.

Broad incumbents

• Surfline: Surf forecasting and media platform that has expanded into surf trip content and cam-based destination marketing. Larger audience and brand reach than LUEX in the surf vertical.
• Booking.com: Mass-market OTA booking accommodation and experiences worldwide. Indirect competitor for self-serve surf resort bookings, but lacks LUEX's surf-expert advisor value.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LUEXtravel
• Xx.com/LUEXtravel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lineupexplorers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LineUpEXplorers