Travel Insurance for Surfing
Surf smart: Learn how Canadian travel insurance coverage for surfing can help when the unexpected hits
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At a glance
- Travel insurance for surfers may help cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations, and damaged surfboards—whether you're surfing in Costa Rica, Europe, or beyond.
- Coverage may include emergency medical treatment due to surf-related injuries, like reef cuts, board collisions, and jellyfish stings.
- 24/7 non-insurance emergency assistance is available if you run into trouble in or out of the water.
- Choose from four travel insurance plans: Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip and add optional higher activity level coverage to customize your plan based on your trip style and level of adventure.
- World Nomads plans also cover 250+ other adventure activities, from scuba diving and snorkeling to zip-lining and jungle trekking.
Surfing may not be the first thing that comes to mind in Canada, but more than a million Canadians have surfed while travelling—whether closer to home in year‑round hotspots like Tofino or abroad in search of warmer waves. From catching breaks in Bali to tackling reef surf in Fiji or learning to stand up for the first time on vacation, surfing adventures come with real risks. Wipeouts, board collisions, reef cuts, or even jellyfish stings can quickly turn a dream trip into a stressful one. That’s where travel insurance can step in, helping cover emergency medical expenses and other unexpected events so you can focus on the ride. World Nomads travel insurance plans can cover surfing trips outside of your home province.
Why should I consider travel insurance for my surf trip?
Chasing waves is thrilling, but even the best-planned trip can run into trouble. Wipeouts, sudden illness, or flight delays can disrupt your itinerary, while gear damage or theft can leave you stranded without a board. Travel insurance plans for surfers can help with the costs of emergency medical care if you’re hurt, reimburse you for your prepaid, unused, non-refundable trip costs for cancelled plans if you're too unwell to travel, and assist with lost or damaged equipment.
Whether you're paddling out in Europe or heading to remote islands in search of world-class waves, World Nomads offers plans that support your sense of adventure—backed by 24/7 emergency assistance and coverage for more than 250 sports and activities.
What’s covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance for surfers?
World Nomads Travel Insurance for Canadians may cover a range of problems you could face on and off the water. These include:
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Emergency Medical Expenses
Broken bones or gashes from epic wipeouts -
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Your first call in any emergency situation -
Baggage & Gear Coverage
Broken or damaged surfboards
(if transported via a common carrier, like a commercial airline) -
Trip Cancellation
Reimbursements if you’re too sick to go on your surf trip
Nomads tip: Get a quote and choose your plan first, then the system will prompt you to add the activities you plan to do. Make sure you list them all; you won’t be able to make changes once on your trip.
At World Nomads, we know your surf trip is about more than just riding waves. That’s why our travel insurance coverage for surfers includes protection for over 250 other adventure sports and experiences – from jungle hikes and scuba dives to zip-lining and snorkeling. Whether you’re chasing swells or exploring off the beach, we offer four travel insurance plans with different levels of activity coverage to suit your trip style, budget, and adventure level. Check out our (lengthy) activity list and ensure you pick the plan and activity level that covers everything you plan to do.
*All coverage is subject to plan terms and conditions. Be sure you read and understand your plan documents. Any questions, just ask!
Choosing the Right Surfing Travel Insurance Plan
World Nomads offers four plans for Canadian residents – the Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip – each with different levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best suited for budget travellers. Includes up to $1,500,000 CAD in emergency medical expenses and up to $2,500 CAD for trip cancellation and trip interruption. This is our most basic plan, but it packs a punch. Get a quote |
Provides increased benefit limits, such as trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage up to $10,000 CAD. You can also choose to purchase additional ‘cancel for any reason coverage’ with this plan Get a quote |
or those trips you’ll be talking about for years to come! Surf trips can get pricey, and this plan offers the most coverage to protect it. This plan includes higher maximum benefit limits compared to the Standard and Explorer Plan as well as higher benefit limits for travel inconveniences and security evacuation coverage Get a quote |
If you have multiple trips planned throughout the year – including just to different provinces – you may want to consider this plan. World Nomads Annual Multi-Trip Plan provides travel insurance coverage for an unlimited number of trips of 14 days or less, within a 365-day period. Get a quote |
Nomads tip: World Nomads Travel Insurance can also cover your travels within Canada! Your Government Health Insurance Plan offers little, if any emergency medical coverage once you leave your home province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels, too.
We cover 250 activities you love + more
- Scuba diving
- Mountain biking
- Surfing
- Bungee jumping
- Skiing
What’s not covered by the travel insurance plan I buy for surfing internationally?
Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something careless or out of control (like tackle big-wave off-shore surfing when you’re only a beginner). For example, some things we may not cover include:
- Surfing during competitions or as a professional
- Surfing under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Reckless behavior or failure to follow safety advice
- Search-and-rescue costs.
- Any damage related to the wear and tear of sports equipment.
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
- Travel within your home province.
Top safety tips for your surfing adventure
- Always check local conditions and surf reports
- Wear reef booties and rash guards for protection
- Know your limits — and don’t surf alone
- Use a leash and inspect your gear before hitting the waves
- Respect local surf etiquette
- Save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line on your phone and print out a copy of your travel insurance documents. If you need help in a pinch, you don’t want to be searching for who to call.
- Keep your receipts and paperwork. Any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases and a loss or theft report from the police or other appropriate authorities. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you need to make a claim.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for surfing. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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What does travel insurance for surfing cover?
Travel insurance for surf trips covers emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation if you’re injured while riding, plus trip cancellation, interruption, and coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged surf gear checked as luggage. Whether you’re surfing the frigid waters of Canada or catching waves in Costa Rica, our four travel insurance plans can offer you the coverage you need. The Explorer and Epic plans offer higher coverage limits and can cover more expensive surf trips, and offer the ability to add on optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage for an additional premium. With 24/7 emergency assistance and protection for over 250 activities, World Nomads helps keep your surfing adventure on track even if the unexpected happens.
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Does travel insurance cover surfboard damage or loss?
World Nomads may offer baggage and sporting equipment coverage and may provide reimbursement if your surfboard is damaged or stolen while travelling; however, it does not cover damage sustained while the gear is in use. Keep receipts and incident reports to support your claim. Wear and tear is not covered.
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Can I get reimbursed if I have to cancel my surf trip?
If your trip is cancelled due to a covered reason—such as unexpected illness or injury—World Nomads’ travel insurance may reimburse you for pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights and accommodation. If you want ultimate flexibility to simply change your mind about your trip, you may be able to get optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage as well.
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Are surf competitions or professional surfing covered?
No, most travel insurance plans do not cover surfing during competitions or if you’re a professional surfer receiving compensation. Always review your plan details to understand any exclusions related to professional sports.
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What plan should I choose for a surf trip abroad?
World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans: Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip, and you have the option to purchase additional activity coverage for each. Additional activity coverage may be necessary if you plan to take your adventure up a notch. If you get a quote, you can compare coverages; you will be prompted to list out all your activities. It is then you can see what the additional activity coverage will cost.
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Does travel insurance cover surfing injuries like reef cuts or broken bones?
Yes, if you’re hurt while surfing, World Nomads’ emergency medical coverage may provide reimbursement for doctor visits, hospital stays, or other medical treatment needed due to an accident on the water.
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What’s not covered by surfing travel insurance?
Travel insurance may not cover injuries that occur while surfing under the influence of drugs or alcohol, participating in professional competitions, or damage to your board from regular wear and tear. It also won’t cover unattended baggage or sporting equipment or travel within your home province.
Need destination inspiration?
Already picked your surf spot? Nice. But if you’re dreaming about your next wave—or just want to daydream between sessions—check out some of our surf stories for inspiration. You might just discover your next favorite break.
Surfing in Europe: 6 unexpected spots to explore
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.