Surf great waves while interacting with the local customs, history & the educational and environmental issues as a volunteer in Lobitos, Peru.
Lobitos is a small surfing town on the desert coast of Northern of Peru. With year-round swells, miles of empty coastline and breaks to choose from, plus friendly locals and thriving culture this is Peru’s hidden little gem.
No matter what your interests, we most likely have a program to match your needs! Options include English Language Teaching, Environmental Education, Surf & Swim Classes, Social Entrepreneurship, and Community Outreach.
During your free time, you can relax on the fabulous beaches, take surfing lessons, and see the surrounding attractions through our tourist activities like local fishing trips or going to other surf breaks.
Experience #SurfTravelDoneDifferent in Peru!
Sustainability
WAVES for Development inspires world travel & cultural exchange through surf experiences while building a network of partnerships that connect travellers, grassroots initiatives & local communities.
Our community-based initiatives catalyse education & economic development: through Cultural Exchange & Understanding, Life Skills & Healthy Living, A Conservation Ethic, Social Entrepreneurship, & Sustainable Tourism.
Our mission is to inspire world travel and cultural exchange through surf experiences and voluntourism. Surf Voluntourism is a different way to travel. WAVES combines travellers’ passion to see the world with their desire to make a difference. Our volunteers contribute to community service activities while doing what they love: Surfing!
In addition, these surf travellers provide coastal communities and their youth with a source of intercultural exchange and camaraderie through their involvement in educational surf activities making for a brighter future.
What’s Included
What’s included:
• Accommodation with locals or in a hotel
• 3 home cooked or restaurant meals a day
• Full access to WAVES’ selection of surfboards
• A weekly surf class
• Each fortnight, participate in local tourist activity
• Transportation to and from Lobitos from Talara
• Health & safety management
• Financial support of the project to ensure its ongoing success after your departure
• Pre-project preparation & support
• Project management from local & international staff.
• The employment & training of local staff to run the projects after your departure
• 24 hour emergency support
What’s Not Included
Airfares
Trip Itinerary
6-8am:
Morning surf / Breakfast
9am-12pm:
Volunteer in School at English Class or Surfing Class
12:30pm:
Lunch with local family/restaurant/at the volunteer house
1-2:00pm:
Free time for afternoon surf or siesta
2:30-5:30pm:
Education program or Personal activity
(story hour, swim class, program-led activity, or individual project time)
5:30-7:30pm:
Evening surf
8pm:
Dinner / Debrief / Free time
Program And Price
The minimum commitment is 1 week to explore & better understand the issues facing the community & what we, as an organisation are doing about them. You can extend your involvement by increments of 1 week. One thing they constantly hear from past WAVES volunteers: “I wish could have stayed longer.” WAVES encourages you to consider a month-long stay in Lobitos after which you will qualify for reduced Program Fee rates. They also offer internships and practicums for those interested in staying 3 months or longer.
Awards/Testimonials
WAVES has been featured in Surfer Magazine, Outside Magazine, 1% For The Planet, The Inertia, GrindTV, Travel & Leisure and more!
“A great alternative to the Me, Me, Me surf trip. Connecting with locals and teaching/ learning. Surfing perfect waves in a remote location but having the company and camaraderie of being part of a team with a goal. The whole aim of Waves is to create social an environmental sustainability whilst using surfing as a tool for development. It seemed to be working! Well done to WAVES for Development.” – Coll Faragher
“Expect an encouraging experience with dedicated community leaders, working hard to improve education, increase awareness, and make a difference in the local community. It’s a great atmosphere for teamwork and cooperation. There will be plenty of fun and laughter too. You’ll also be able to surf, a lot.” – Jeremy Koons
“With the knowledge accumulated during my internship, WAVES now has the opportunity to become more sustainable… This is not just beneficial for the community in the long run but also for WAVES, the staff and the future interns. Lobitos is a lovely, growing desert village with an interesting historical background, friendly people and lots to offer. And even if one of my personal conclusions is that I never could live here for a long long time, I wouldn´t have minded staying longer because it feels like home.” Raffael Schmidt, WAVES Intern
