Women's Surf Retreat in Rote, Indonesia — 10 Days with Sky Surf Co.

Sky Surf Co. is an independent surf brand based in Northland, New Zealand. They run Sky's Surf School at Matauri Bay, with after-school lessons for girls aged 6 to 18, private lessons, school and group lessons, girls' surf camps and student surf trips. The Rote retreat is their first international trip, and it takes the same coaching structure they use at home — daily surf lessons, technique training and video analysis — and applies it to a 10-day stay in Indonesia.

The daily rhythm is surf-led. You will be in the water most mornings, with coaching on positioning, paddling, take-offs and turns depending on your level. Video analysis sessions let you see what you are actually doing on a wave, which is the part most surf trips skip. Afternoons are typically free for a second surf, rest, or exploring the island. The exact schedule depends on swell and tides, which the team will read day by day.

What separates this from a standard surf camp is the coaching ratio and the video work. Sky Surf Co. runs small groups, and the programme includes professional surf photography alongside the video analysis, so you leave with footage of your own surfing rather than just memories. The team has been coaching surfers of all levels in Northland for years, from first-timers to competitive juniors.

Rote itself is the other draw. It is not a resort island. The breaks are reef points and beach breaks with far fewer people than the better-known Indonesian surf destinations, and the island has a dry, hilly landscape with traditional villages and long empty beaches. If you want to surf without a crowd and still get proper coaching, this is the trip.

The retreat runs 26 August to 4 September 2026. Spaces are limited and the operator is running a waitlist for this departure, with further 2026 dates to be announced. If you cannot make these dates, you can join the mailing list to hear about future trips first.

What's included

- 10-day women's surf retreat in Rote, Indonesia - Daily surf coaching sessions - Video analysis of your surfing - Professional surf photography - Accommodation for the duration of the trip - Group meals (exact meal plan to be confirmed by operator) - Coaching from Sky Surf Co.'s team

What's not included

- International flights to Indonesia - Domestic flights or transfers to Rote - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Meals not listed by the operator - Surf equipment (confirm with operator)