There’s something about standing in the ocean that makes God feel closer. Maybe it’s the sheer size of it — the way a wave reminds you that you’re small and held at the same time. Maybe it’s the silence between sets, when the only sound is your own breathing and the water moving beneath you.
Whatever it is, more Christians are seeking it out. The Christian surf retreat space has grown significantly in the last few years, and 2026 offers more options than ever for believers who want to combine time in the water with time in the Word.
But not all surf retreats are created equal. Some are surf camps with a prayer tacked on. Others are church conferences that happen to be near a beach. The best ones are designed from the ground up to use the ocean as a spiritual classroom — where the physical act of surfing becomes a metaphor for faith that stays with you long after you towel off.
Here’s what to look for, and where to find it.
What Makes a Christian Surf Retreat Different?
A great Christian surf retreat isn’t just a vacation with a devotional. It’s an intentional experience where every element — the coaching, the worship, the meals, the community — is woven together around a spiritual arc. The surfing serves the transformation, not the other way around.
The best programs share a few things in common: professional surf instruction for all levels, daily Scripture-based programming, small group sizes that allow for genuine community, and a physical environment that puts you in direct contact with God’s creation in a way that four walls simply can’t replicate.
The Landscape in 2026
Christian Surfers USA runs events nationwide — from campouts in San Onofre to gatherings on the North Shore of Oahu. Their model is community-based and accessible, with events ranging from weekend campouts to their annual National Gathering. These are excellent for connecting with other Christian surfers, though they tend to be event-based rather than immersive retreat experiences.
Walk on Water (WOW) operates out of Costa Rica with week-long retreats that combine surfing, yoga, worship, and adventure. Their programming is polished and their location is stunning. A strong option for women in particular.
Catholic Surfing Ministries offers free surf retreats rooted in the Catholic tradition, including events in Hawaii. Their approach emphasizes the sacraments alongside time in the water — a unique and deeply reverent experience.
Soul Surfing School in San Onofre runs overnight youth retreats with surf coaching, guest speakers, and small group community. Ideal for families and youth groups looking for a summer experience.
What Sets Surf + Soul Apart
Surf + Soul takes a different approach entirely. Rather than a surf camp with spiritual elements added, the entire seven-day experience is built around a spiritual transformation framework — seven days, seven themes, each anchored to Scripture and expressed through the ocean.
Day 1 is Surrender. Day 2 is Trust. By Day 4, the community has been forged through shared waves and a Soul Session around a bonfire. Day 6 is Give Back Day — serving the local community in El Tránsito, Nicaragua. And Day 7 closes with The Commission, where each guest receives an artifact hand-inked with their chosen verse and is prayed over and commissioned by the group.
What makes it different isn’t just the programming. It’s the artifacts. Every guest goes home with their Commission — a shell, a stone, or a piece of driftwood hand-inked with the verse that spoke to them during the week — and a personal highlight video. These aren’t souvenirs. They’re physical anchors to a spiritual experience.
The retreat is held at Mandla Oceanfront Retreat, a private eight-casita compound on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast. Professional surf coaching is provided for all levels — most guests have never surfed before. Holy Yoga anchors each morning. And partner churches bringing 7 or more guests choose how Surf + Soul honors their church — their pastor’s retreat covered, or a 10% giveback to their ministry.
How to Choose the Right One
The right retreat depends on what you’re looking for:
- If you want community with other Christian surfers, Christian Surfers USA events are a great entry point.
- If you want a women-focused experience in Central America, Walk on Water delivers.
- If you want a youth or family experience, Soul Surfing School is purpose-built for that.
- If you want a full spiritual transformation experience that uses the ocean as its classroom, Surf + Soul was designed from the ground up for exactly that.
The best advice: don’t just pick a surf retreat that happens to be Christian. Pick one where the faith and the ocean are inseparable — where every paddle out, every wipeout, and every wave is part of the story God is telling you that week.
Ready to Go Deeper?
Surf + Soul retreats run throughout the year at Mandla Oceanfront Retreat in El Tránsito, Nicaragua. Eight private casitas. All-inclusive from $6,750 per person. Space is limited to ensure an intimate, transformative experience.
Learn more at thesurfsoul.com or reach out to Zane at travis@thesurfsoul.com.
The ocean is our church. Courage is worship. Community is calling.