Packing for a long surf trip in Southeast Asia can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. I’ve been to Southeast Asia three times now, and this time I’m heading back for six months of surfing.
After a few rounds of over packing, forgetting things, and learning what you can (and can’t) buy locally, I’ve finally figured out what really works for me. In this post, I’m sharing the packing list I use today as a beginner surfer traveling long-term.
You’ll find a link to my Southeast Asia packing list template further down. It’s a simple Google Sheet that you can easily copy to your own Google account and customize however you like. In the video included in this post, I also share why I pack certain products and how they make long-term travel in Southeast Asia easier.
The template is easy to use and flexible. Once you get your copy of it you can either use it as-is or make your own adjustments if desired by adding or removing items, updating categories or even adding extra columns with more information you might want to track.
The template is built around the exact items I bring for my six-month trip. Everything is categorized and subcategorized so you can easily keep track of what you need. You can also filter by category to quickly find things, and there’s a status column where you can mark whether you already have the item, still need to buy it, or if it’s packed. There’s also space for adding your own notes.
Here are the categories included in the template:
Packing setup (luggage, organizers, etc.)
Important documents
Clothes
Accessories
Toiletries
Surf gear
Workout gear
Electronics
Other
To use this template, you’ll need a Google account. Once you’ve entered your information and clicked the “Get Template” button below, you’ll receive an email with a link to your Southeast Asia Packing List Template.
In the video below you can follow along as I show you how and what I’ve packed for my own trip. While the template you can get your own copy of is more detailed when it comes to exactly what items I pack, the video focuses more on why I’ve chosen certain products and how they fit into long-term travel.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post! Whether you have suggestions for improvement, want to share what you liked, or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Your feedback helps me create better content for all aspiring surfers!
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