THE ART OF SURF RETREATS
Embark on a journey into the world of surf culture and transformative travel, guided by the passion and expertise of Delphine Zebouloun and Desi Bibayan. At Sunshine Surf Retreats, waves aren't just waves—they're pathways to rejuvenation, self-discovery, and adventure. Join us as we explore the story behind this unique retreat, the philosophy driving its success, and the life-changing experiences awaiting those who dare to ride the tide.
A Friendship Born from Waves
The story of Sunshine Surf Retreats begins in high school, where Delphine first taught Desi how to surf. This simple act of sharing a passion forged a lifelong friendship built on a mutual love for travel and the ocean. While Delphine honed her skills as a travel guide across various international destinations, Desi carved her path through the world of high-profile event production. But the pandemic brought unexpected change—and with it, new opportunities.
When Desi found herself at a career crossroads, she pivoted to teaching surf lessons along the Los Angeles coast. Her students, captivated by her instruction and enthusiasm, began asking about surf retreats—immersive experiences where they could develop their skills in destinations they'd never ordinarily visit. Sensing an opportunity, Desi reached out to her longtime friend.
At the time, Delphine was living in Costa Rica, intimately familiar with both the surf scene and potential retreat locations. With her extensive guiding experience and Desi's production expertise, they felt uniquely positioned to create something special. Together, they carefully curated what they envisioned as the perfect surf retreat—one that balanced adventure, cultural immersion, and personal growth.
In 2022, they launched their first retreat. To their delight, it sold out completely. Starting with friends and extended networks, the response was overwhelming. Describing it as going "perfectly"—though, as Delphine admits with a laugh, there were inevitable bumps along the way—she reflects that in her eight years of professional guiding, she had never experienced a trip flowing so beautifully. The energy was electric, the connections genuine, and they knew they had found their calling.
Since then, over two and a half years have passed, during which they've hosted six or seven group retreats and numerous private experiences. These private retreats offer flexibility: clients can choose optional guides or simply request a fully customized itinerary where every detail—from schedules and transportation to private chefs and activities—is meticulously planned. As Delphine explains, using an upcoming example: "A family doesn't want a personal guide but has everything arranged for them. They just show up, follow the schedule, and have an incredible time."
Standing Out Through Inclusivity
When I ask how they creatively differentiate themselves in a crowded market, Delphine's response is refreshingly candid. During their market research, they noticed a pattern: many surf retreats are hosted by what she describes as "the stereotypical image—a thin, Caucasian woman who surfs and does yoga." While there's nothing inherently wrong with this, it didn't reflect the inclusive, welcoming space they wanted to create.
"Desi and I don't fit the typical surfer mold. We're both curvy women; Desi has Iranian heritage. We didn't see much representation of people like us in the surf retreat world, and we wanted to change that."
This realization became the foundation of their mission: to create an accessible, welcoming environment for all types of women, including non-binary individuals. But their commitment to being different extends beyond representation. Unlike retreats that focus almost exclusively on surfing—wake up, surf, eat, surf, yoga, surf, repeat—Sunshine Surf Retreats emphasizes cultural immersion.
"When you fly all the way to El Salvador, Mexico, Bali, or wherever else, and all you do is surf, you're missing the richness of the place you're visiting," Delphine explains. "We incorporate waterfall excursions, salsa dancing classes, food tours—experiences that showcase the beauty and authenticity of the destination. You're not just there to catch waves; you're there to connect with a culture."
Surfing for Every Level
Given that their destinations are renowned surf spots, I'm curious whether all skill levels are truly welcome, and how they support individual progression.
"Absolutely, all skill levels are welcome," Delphine confirms. "We primarily cater to beginner and intermediate surfers, as well as longboard enthusiasts, but we're completely open to advanced surfers too. It's incredible to watch beginners progress throughout the week—there's something magical about witnessing someone catch their first real wave."
She goes on to describe how they've even hosted professional and sponsored surfers seeking more water time or wanting to explore different breaks. "We're super accommodating. If someone wants to take a boat to check out a break somewhere else during free time, we'll organize it—no problem."
The key to personalized instruction lies in their detailed approach. Before each retreat, participants receive a questionnaire asking about their surf experience, goals for the week, dietary restrictions, and preferences. This information is shared with local surf schools, complete with names, weights, heights, and board preferences versus needs.
"Our surf instructors know everyone's names before they even arrive. They watch each person progress and offer tailored tips. We really want to ensure everyone feels taken care of," Delphine emphasizes. "We also take photos throughout the week, and I'm always happy to review footage with guests to help them improve their technique."
Travel as Transformation
I'm struck by the holistic nature of their approach, so I ask whether facilitating space for physical exploration, cultural immersion, and local interaction creates a mindset shift for travelers.
"Yeah, absolutely," Delphine responds without hesitation. "When we're stuck in our routines, we become disconnected from our own bodies. But when you travel, your senses are heightened—new sights, sounds, smells, climates, people. It's like hitting a reset button."
"Starting a new sport helps you reconnect with your body. We also offer restorative yoga twice throughout the week to help with soreness from all the surfing."
She emphasizes the importance of mindset: "Think about the last time you tried something completely new. How challenging it was. How it didn't go perfectly, and you didn't succeed on the first try. The point is to have fun, enjoy the moment, and be proud of what your body can accomplish. Be grateful that your body is even capable of doing this sport. We're not chasing perfection—we're looking for happy faces, people enjoying themselves, trying something new, or connecting with their bodies in a fresh way. Hopefully, that motivates them to continue on their own. But even if not, that's totally fine as long as they're present and engaged."
When I ask if she witnesses this transformation during retreats, her face lights up.
"Oh, absolutely! We get a little 'namaste-emotional' sometimes. People cry—tears of joy, of release. We've had some truly remarkable stories and connections." She pauses, reflecting. "I think that's one of the beautiful aspects of hosting an all-women's retreat. The first night, you're talking about periods and ex-boyfriends, but by the second or third day, conversations go much deeper."
She shares a particularly moving example: "There was one woman whose anxiety was so crippling she almost canceled at the last minute. But as soon as she arrived and felt the safety and warmth of the group, her anxiety just... floated away. She ended up booking another trip to Portugal with travelers she met on our retreat! Watching these transformations unfold is one of the most beautiful parts of what we do."
Conscious Tourism and Giving Back
On their website, Sunshine Surf Retreats mentions a "pride in sustainability and responsible tourism." I'm curious about their perspective on honoring the land and local communities, particularly regarding how they "give back to communities that welcome them."
Delphine's response is thoughtful and deeply personal. "In Costa Rica, I witness gentrification every single day. Many tourists purchase properties, which drives up costs and makes it increasingly expensive for locals to live and thrive in their own communities. While I understand it's rarely ill-intentioned, this phenomenon is happening worldwide. I told Desi early on that it was crucial to me that we don't contribute to extractive tourism."
"The challenge is finding properties owned by Costa Ricans, but we prioritize it. We rent a beautiful beachfront house from local owners. We employ Costa Rican chefs, surf instructors, yoga teachers, photographers, waterfall guides—everyone we work with is local. The same philosophy applies in Mexico. It's essential to us. Just because these communities welcome us doesn't mean we should take without giving back."
Their commitment extends to environmental sustainability as well. "We provide recycling and composting at the house. We gift everyone a reusable water bottle or ask guests to bring their own. We travel together in shared vehicles to minimize our carbon footprint, and we do our best to tread lightly on the beaches we visit."
She describes a simple but meaningful ritual: "We take a moment before leaving the beach to say, 'Hey everyone, let's each pick up an extra piece of trash on our way out.' It's not because one piece of trash will immediately change everything—it's about cultivating a mindset. So when you return to your own beach back home, you think, 'Oh, I'll just grab this piece of trash on my way out.' It's about paying it forward to your own community."
"We have open conversations about how tourism benefits destinations but also impacts local populations. Most people we attract are already conscious and thoughtful, but if someone takes away something new they hadn't considered before, that's a bonus."
Redefining Travel
Finally, I ask for her advice on how both new and experienced travelers can immerse themselves beyond typical tourist experiences.
"Interaction with locals goes such a long way," Delphine begins. "Getting out of your comfort zone—everything I'm about to say might sound cliché, but it's absolutely true. Try new things, whether that's surfing or sampling tacos with unfamiliar ingredients. Speak a language you're not comfortable with. These experiences pull us away from our phones and into the real world."
"You start making genuine connections with kind, interesting people. It can be scary, especially for women traveling alone, which is why we curate a safe space within an exciting, challenging new environment. That balance is crucial for women. We introduce you to wonderful locals you don't need to feel nervous about spending time with, and you get to learn about their lives, their culture, their perspectives. It's incredibly special and never feels forced or awkward. You're with these people every day, and watching those authentic conversations happen is just... it's beautiful. We absolutely love it."
What's Coming Up
Sunshine Surf Retreats continues to expand its offerings. They currently have upcoming retreats scheduled for Costa Rica (April 13-18, 2026), a Movement Retreat in Mexico (January 16-23, 2026), and the Philippines (June 8-15, 2026). They're also working on planning a Morocco retreat, hopefully for fall 2025, and would love to add Sri Lanka to their itinerary in 2025 as well.
For those interested in a more tailored experience, their custom retreats page on sunshinesurfretreats.com provides comprehensive information for individuals who prefer private retreats over group experiences. Whether you're a family seeking adventure, a bachelorette party looking for something beyond the typical scene, or simply someone wanting to explore extraordinary places through active engagement rather than passive tourism, Sunshine Surf Retreats offers something truly special.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Join Sunshine Surf Retreats for an unforgettable journey where waves meet culture, and strangers become lifelong friends. Experience destinations authentically, surf with expert guidance, and discover a community of adventurous souls ready to embrace the unknown.
