Surf Expedition
Surf Expedition Inc is a Panama-incorporated, founder-operated surf coaching retreat company founded in 2013, running all-inclusive small-group surf and yoga retreats in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Indonesia, serving beginner through expert surfers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersBocas Del Toro, Panama
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Surf Expedition does
Surf Expedition Inc, founded in 2013 and incorporated under Panama Corporation Laws with its headquarters in Bocas del Toro, Panama, operates a portfolio of all-inclusive surf coaching retreats and adventure trips in Central America. Its core products are the Costa Rica Surf Camp & Yoga Retreat in Pavones (targeting beginner and intermediate surfers with personalized instruction, daily yoga, and chef-prepared meals), the Nicaragua Surf Trip (multi-activity adventure surf trip with party atmosphere), and the Panama Surf Charter (a 7-night catamaran-based expedition for up to 6 advanced surfers priced from US$9,000 per boat). A Mentawai Surf Trip in Indonesia extends the portfolio internationally, and a French-language version of the website signals Francophone market outreach.
The business has no proprietary technology platform; bookings flow through the WeTravel platform with Stripe-powered payments (2048-bit SSL encryption) and Typeform for Panama charter inquiries, with the company's own WordPress site serving as the marketing and discovery surface. Pricing is one-time per trip with deposit-based reservation ($300–$500 deposit, balance due 90 days before departure) and optional add-ons such as professional surf photography ($1,000), surfboard rental ($100/week), and surf coaching ($50/lesson). Group sizes are deliberately small (5–15 participants per departure) to maintain a boutique experience, and the founders Sébastien and Diane personally host the Costa Rica camp.
Surf Expedition generates revenue entirely from consumer leisure travelers and small private groups, acquired primarily through TripAdvisor (#1 ranking with multiple Best of the Best awards and 400+ five-star reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and Facebook), blog and YouTube content, earned media (Carve Magazine, Surf Girl Magazine, Huffington Post Québec, V Télé), and brand sponsorships with Hurley, Nixon, and VonZipper. The company is bootstrapped with no external funding, founder-operated, and operating under the trademark Surf Expedition Inc ®.
Surf Expedition firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surf Expedition
- Legal name
- Surf Expedition Inc
- Website
- https://surfexpedition.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Surf Expedition Inc is a Panama-incorporated, founder-operated surf coaching retreat company founded in 2013, running all-inclusive small-group surf and yoga retreats in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Indonesia, serving beginner through expert surfers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surf Expedition industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Surf Coaching Retreats
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ), Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK)
Keywords
Where Surf Expedition is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bocas Del Toro
- HQ country
- Panama
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Surf Expedition business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Surf Coaching Retreat Packages: The company generates revenue through all-inclusive surf trip packages sold as fixed-date group experiences. Package prices vary by destination: Panama surf charter is priced from US$9,000/week (up to 6 people), while Costa Rica and Nicaragua retreats have their own pricing structures. Add-ons such as professional photography ($1,000), surfboard rental ($100/week), and surf coaching lessons ($50/session) generate additional per-guest revenue. Packages include accommodation, meals (varies by destination), surf guiding or coaching, transportation between destinations and from airports, and activities such as yoga.
- Surf Photography Add-on: Optional professional surf photographer add-on priced at $1,000 per trip for the Panama surf charter, capturing guests daily during surf sessions. This is an optional upsell on top of the base package price.
- Surfboard Rental Add-on: Optional surfboard rental service for $100/week available on the Panama surf charter for guests who prefer not to bring their own boards.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Panama Surf Charter — up to 6 people, 7 nights on catamaran |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Panama Surf Charter — Professional Photographer Add-on |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Panama Surf Charter — Surfboard Rental Add-on |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Panama Surf Charter — Surf Coaching Add-on |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Costa Rica / Nicaragua Surf Retreat — Shared Accommodation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Surf Expedition product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surf Expedition operates all-inclusive surf coaching retreat packages across Central America, offering personalized surf instruction, daily yoga sessions, accommodation, meals, and ground/air transportation for small groups of beginner to expert surfers. The company runs three core programs: the Costa Rica Surf Camp & Yoga Retreat in Pavones (beginner to intermediate surfers), the Nicaragua Surf Trip (multi-activity surf adventure for ages 18+), and the Panama Surf Charter (catamaran-based expedition for advanced surfers accessing remote island waves). Optional add-ons include professional surf photography ($1,000), surfboard rental ($100/week), and individual surf coaching lessons ($50/session).
Product overview
Surf Expedition operates a portfolio of surf coaching retreats and adventure trips across Central America, consisting of three core destinations: the Costa Rica Surf Coaching Retreat (surf and yoga retreat with meals in Pavones), the Nicaragua Surf Trip (multi-activity adventure surf trip with party atmosphere), and the Panama Surf Charter (catamaran-based surf expedition for advanced surfers). Additional offerings include video analysis for surf technique improvement and professional surf photography as add-on services. The company targets beginner to expert surfers seeking personalized coaching and authentic surf travel experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Costa Rica Surf Coaching Retreat Surf coaching retreat in Pavones, Costa Rica offering personalized surf lessons, daily yoga sessions, and chef-prepared meals. Designed for beginner and intermediate surfers with video analysis, ISA-certified instructors, and small student-to-teacher ratios. Includes accommodation, meals, local transportation, and activities such as horseback riding and chocolate making.
- Nicaragua Surf Trip Multi-activity surf trip in Nicaragua featuring surfing, volcano activities, catamaran cruise, kayaking, and nightlife. Targets adventurous travelers aged 18+ with a party atmosphere and accommodation, meals, and ground transportation included across multiple Pacific coast surf spots.
- Panama Surf Charter Catamaran-based 7-night surf charter aboard a Leopard 46 catamaran for experienced surfers (level 4 to expert) exploring remote Caribbean and Pacific islands of Panama's Bocas del Toro archipelago. Includes accommodation in double-bed cabins with A/C, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, beers and rum, local airport transfers, and surf guiding to uncrowded wave locations. Priced from US$9,000/week for up to 6 guests.
- Mentawai Surf Trip Surf trip offering to the Mentawai Islands as listed in the company's website navigation menu under Surf Trips.
- Surf Photography Add-on Optional professional surf photographer add-on priced at $1,000 per trip, available on the Panama surf charter to capture guests daily during surf sessions.
- Surfboard Rental Add-on Optional surfboard rental priced at $100/week, available on the Panama surf charter for guests who prefer not to bring their own boards.
- Surf Coaching Lesson Add-on Optional individual surf coaching lesson priced at $50 per session, available as an add-on during the Panama surf charter week for advanced-level surfers.
Companies that use Surf Expedition
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Surf Expedition technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Surf Expedition partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- HurleyminorHurley is listed as a brand sponsor of Surf Expedition, displayed on the company website footer under 'Proudly Supported by.' The partnership provides marketing and brand credibility association within the surf industry. No specific terms or co-marketing activities are detailed.
- NixonminorNixon is listed as a brand sponsor of Surf Expedition, displayed on the company website footer under 'Proudly Supported by.' Nixon is a surf/lifestyle watch and accessories brand. No specific co-marketing activities are detailed.
- VonZipperminorVonZipper is listed as a brand sponsor of Surf Expedition, displayed on the company website footer under 'Proudly Supported by.' VonZipper is a surf eyewear brand. No specific co-marketing activities are detailed.
- WeTravelcoreWeTravel is the primary booking and payment processing platform used by Surf Expedition for managing trip reservations, deposits, installment payments, and credit card processing. The platform handles the full booking lifecycle including scheduling availability calendars (May–August 2026, December 2026–2027 seasons), payment collection, and guest communication. Stripe powers the underlying payment processing.
- Nature AirminorNature Air is a regional airline operating flights between San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) and Bocas del Toro, Panama (BOC). Surf Expedition recommends this carrier for guests connecting to the Panama surf charter, with approximately 1-hour flights. Nature Air is a key operational partner for the Panama surf charter logistics.
- Sansa AirlinesminorSansa Airlines is a Costa Rican regional airline operating domestic flights including the SJO–GLF (Golfito) route to the Costa Rica surf camp and SJO–BOC (Bocas del Toro) route to the Panama surf charter. Surf Expedition recommends Sansa flights to guests at approximately $60–$120 per segment. Key logistics partner for guest arrival and departure.
- Air PanamaminorAir Panama operates domestic flights within Panama including PAC–BOC (Albrook Airport to Bocas del Toro Airport) and flights from Panama City (PTY Tocumen) to Bocas del Toro. Surf Expedition recommends Air Panama for guests accessing the Panama surf charter, with 1-hour flights from Panama City.
- StripecoreStripe is the payment processing infrastructure used by Surf Expedition's WeTravel booking platform. The payment software uses 2048-bit SSL encryption. Stripe powers credit card processing with a 5.5% fee for card payments (English terms) or combined transaction and card fees of 3.9%+30c for Visa/Mastercard via WeTravel's integration.
Scale indicators5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Surf Expedition competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Blue Buddha Surf Camp: Taghazout, Morocco-based surf camp offering surf lessons, yoga, and accommodation packages. Geographically separated but operates the same model of small-group surf coaching retreats; useful as a regional Arabian/Atlantic benchmark.
- Cascais Surf: Portugal-based surf school and retreat operator near Lisbon, offering beginner and intermediate surf lessons, yoga, and accommodation packages. Operates a near-identical business model but in a different European/Atlantic geography, serving as a comparable benchmark for surf retreat unit economics.
Others
- WeTravel: Booking and payment platform purpose-built for tour operators and experiences like surf retreats. Surf Expedition is a WeTravel customer; WeTravel is not a peer but an enabling platform whose marketplace dynamics and pricing affect Surf Expedition's distribution and unit economics.
Direct peers
- Lapoint Surf Camps: Multi-destination surf camp operator with locations in Morocco, Bali, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, offering beginner-to-intermediate surf coaching packages. The most direct global peer, operating in two of Surf Expedition's destinations (Costa Rica and Nicaragua) with comparable all-inclusive pricing.
- Soul Surf Morocco: Taghazout, Morocco-based surf camp and yoga retreat offering beginner and intermediate surf coaching with all-inclusive packages. Directly comparable service model and target customer (solo travelers, wellness seekers), though primarily a regional rather than Central American player.
- Surf Simply: Boutique Nosara, Costa Rica-based surf coaching retreat focused on beginner and intermediate surfers with video-analysis coaching and on-site accommodations. The closest direct competitor to Surf Expedition's Costa Rica retreat, targeting the same customer segment with a premium, all-inclusive model.
- Mahalo Surf Retreat: Costa Rica-based surf and yoga retreat operating in Santa Teresa and other Pacific coast locations. Comparable boutique beginner/intermediate surf coaching model with bundled accommodation and yoga, directly competing for the same Costa Rica surf-traveler customer.
Emerging players
- Tropicsurf: Luxury surf coaching and guiding service operating at high-end resorts across the Maldives, Indonesia, and Japan. Comparable product layer (premium surf coaching, video analysis) at a higher price point and different geography, partially overlapping only with Surf Expedition's Panama charter for experienced surfers.
- Koa Surf School: Costa Rica-based surf instruction school offering lessons and multi-day surf retreat packages in the Guanacaste region. Comparable service offering for beginner and intermediate surfers on the same Pacific coast, competing for a portion of the same customer base.
- Surf With Amigas: Women-only surf retreat operator offering all-inclusive surf coaching trips in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Direct overlap with Surf Expedition's Nicaragua and Costa Rica retreats among female solo travelers, with a sharper niche positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Surf Expedition social profiles
Digital presenceSurf Expedition financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surf Expedition leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Surf Expedition funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surf Expedition M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Surf Expedition
What does Surf Expedition do?
Surf Expedition operates all-inclusive surf coaching retreat packages across Central America, offering personalized surf instruction, daily yoga sessions, accommodation, meals, and ground/air transportation for small groups of beginner to expert surfers. The company runs three core programs: the Costa Rica Surf Camp & Yoga Retreat in Pavones (beginner to intermediate surfers), the Nicaragua Surf Trip (multi-activity surf adventure for ages 18+), and the Panama Surf Charter (catamaran-based expedition for advanced surfers accessing remote island waves). Optional add-ons include professional surf photography ($1,000), surfboard rental ($100/week), and individual surf coaching lessons ($50/session).
Is Surf Expedition a public or private company?
Surf Expedition is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Surf Expedition founded?
Surf Expedition was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Surf Expedition based?
Surf Expedition is headquartered in Bocas Del Toro, Panama, in the Latin America region.
How does Surf Expedition make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Surf Coaching Retreat Packages are the primary driver. The others are surf Photography Add-on and surfboard Rental Add-on.
Who are Surf Expedition's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Blue Buddha Surf Camp and Cascais Surf. WeTravel is listed as an others. Direct peers are Lapoint Surf Camps, Soul Surf Morocco, Surf Simply and Mahalo Surf Retreat. Emerging players are Tropicsurf, Koa Surf School and Surf With Amigas.
Does Surf Expedition have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surf Expedition.
What industry is Surf Expedition in?
Surf Expedition's product category is Surf Coaching Retreats. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAKAC, Surf Schools & Surf Camps, with a secondary code of THAJAJAJ, Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps). Its NAICS code is 56152 and its SIC code is 7990.