Kristy Murphy's Siren Surf Adventures

Kristy Murphy's Siren Surf Adventures

Kristy Murphy's Siren Surf Adventures
5
About
Kristy Murphy's Siren Surf Adventures is a unique V.I.P. surf travel experience in which surfers of all ages and levels can enhance one's surf skills as well as enjoy different cultures and foods while at the same time surfing some of the best waves the globe has to offer. Surf with a World Champion and learn how to surf or stand up paddle in Costa Rica/ Mexico/Oahu/Bahamas.
Imperial Beach, California

Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles50 reviews
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50
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lauren p
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Solo
This is the only surf retreat you should even consider. Kristy and Cat are the best coaches you’ll find because they have the expertise and they uphold the integrity of surfing. They show overt respect for the places, people, environments and cultures they work with, and not many travelers understand how important this is. Siren Surf keeps their groups small (4-5 people) so they aren’t overwhelming the line up. They teach you what you need to know to respect the line up but also give you confidence to take your waves, and they will instill how to be safe and not be a kook until you get it. Beyond the basics, they’ll give you expert and patience instruction in water and on land via video so you’ll make massive improvement over the course of one week and can’t wait to come back. The accommodations are awesome, the food is always delicious and Kristy makes a mean marg! Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your skills, I highly recommend you get on their wait list for next year since that’s how far they book out with return clients! There are a lot of surf schools out there with good surfers, but there aren’t any true teachers that rival Kristy and Cat. These two are extraordinary humans and I am grateful to have been on multiple trips with them.
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tiffany J
San Diego, CA8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Solo

If you’re looking for the cookie cutter boot-camp style surf camp with rigid scheduling and 10 other people, this is NOT the right retreat for you. Kristy and Cat’s boutique style retreat is like your two favorite surf aunties are taking you and a couple friends for a much needed surf vacay where you’ll improve your surfing skills, eat amazing food, and learn a ton about surf culture. They’re so intentional about how they positively interact within the local community and I’ve seen firsthand how it trickles down to how we (as guests) are received in the line up. With the current trend of bigger and more, Siren Surf Adventures is a breath of fresh air. Kristy and Cat keep their groups small, intimate, and personal and it makes all the difference.
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tiffany J
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Solo
Hands down, the best people putting together the best surf experience. In an era of big opportunistic camps churning out retreats week after week with surfers that (at the end of the week) may or may not know what they’re doing out in the water, Kristy and Cat buck the trend. They keep it personal, they keep it mega high quality, and they’re just the best muthaf***ing coaches out there- whether it’s surfing, eating, farming, nature watching, or just being a decent human being out in the world. Coach Cat is super knowledgeable, super invested, and just an all-around badass human. Kristy’s cool too, I guess.

Loljk you know I love you. ❤️
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

D_Calfo
Topanga, CA8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
I've done 6 trips with Kristy and Cat since 2017 to their various locations and highly recommend! They and their trips are the most fun you can have while also learning so much about surfing. My last trip was in April 2023 to Costa Rica.

These trips are all about surfing, so if you want to focus on surfing, THIS is the trip for you. Surf, eat, sleep, repeat!

I've worked with other surf coaches and I think Kristy and Cat are unique in their ability to meet you where you are at with your surfing (both mentally and physically), but ALSO make you aware of the next step, the skills that lie ahead so you have a view to the future.

The second thing that makes them unique is their small group format (4-5 max). With this small of a group, there's lots of personal attention to help you develop, and also shows respect to the local culture by not overloading the spot with a bunch of surfers on the trip.

I really respect how Kristy and Cat really know and have deep and long relationships with people in the local community. They aren't just flying in to run a retreat. They really know the place and the people.

Great coaches, waves, food, and fellow surfers. I think I'll sign up for my next trip as soon as I finish this review :)
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Camille M
New York City, NY5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
A couple of years ago, I took my first wave during a family vacation and got hooked. I decided I wanted to become a good surfer, but I needed the right people to guide me in my journey. 
I have been on five surf trips with Siren Surf Adventures in Mexico, Costa Rica and San Diego.
Cat and Kristy have become my most cherished people in my surfing community.
It's hard to put into words how awesome Cat and Kristy truly are!
The entire Siren Surf Adventures experience is beyond expectations all around - from the coaching to the cocktails to the lifetime friendships you will make on their retreats.
Surfing is incredibly difficult, but if you find good people to guide you along the way, it can move you faster on your personal technical progression.
Unlike many other surf schools, Cat and Kristy won't just teach you how to stand up and ride a wave. Given their level of mastery, it is not surprising that their technical coaching will change your game in surfing forever. 
Most importantly, they will also teach you how to be aware of your surroundings to always be safe.
I had not really grasped the meaning of surfing etiquette before I met them. I knew the rules, but Cat and Kristy taught me to read situations carefully and kindly, and how to be a nice person in the line up.
I love that they have different styles of teaching, which makes it fun! 
Kristy has a very relaxed way of teaching. She maintains her joy with a huge smile on her face at every moment. She will always find something positive to say after you've struggled during an entire session to learn new skills. 
Cat is both very supportive and very demanding. She will challenge you to work hard to achieve your goals, and hold you to high standards with her unique way to help you bring the best of yourself. 
The coaching is very personalized and the combination of the in-water coaching and the daily video feedback is invaluable. The videos enable them to show us exactly what we look like and what we need to do. It compares what we think we are doing with what we are actually doing.
You will leave with some great tools to practice and will be dreaming of your next surf trip with Siren Surf Adventures!
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vacation09484717255
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Friends
I could not possibly express how absolutely awesome my experience was with Siren Surf Adventures. I have been on one other surf “retreat” in Hawaii and it did not even begin to compare to my experience with Siren. Coaches Kristy and Cat are the absolute best. I could never have imagined how amazing the surf coaching was going to be. I had been surfing for a few years but really without any formal instruction and I had no idea how much I did not know until the coaches started inundating us with knowledge of not just surf skills but how to read the waves, surf culture and even STYLE. Still working on that one;) The video analysis was so humbling but unbelievably helpful. I learned so much in just one week and I already can not wait to plan my return. I left 3 young kids at home so I was pretty nervous about traveling so far away but felt so safe and well taken care of with coaches Kristy and Cat. It was really great to experience the culture from the perspective of the locals. Everyone loves them everywhere we went. The food was AMAZING. Some of the best meals I have eaten anywhere in the world. The accommodations at La Ponderosa were perfect. The owners were so friendly and they have done such an amazing job with every detail. Could not have been happier! The waves were epic. Surfing at our “secret spot” with just our very small crew was an absolute dream. I had very high expectations for my first surf trip to Costa Rica and Kristy and Cat really blew all dreams out of the water. The absolute best trip I could have asked for. I will be back!
Written June 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erin K
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
This was one of the best family trips we have ever taken. First, the companionship and camaraderie made us feel like we were surfing with our closest friends in a supportive and caring environment. The focus on surf etiquette within our group and the local break maximized the aloha spirit and made every session low pressure and fun. Second, the personalized coaching over the course of a week improved our skills more than a year of near daily surfing. Our teenage daughter, who hadn't really surfed before, got completely hooked on this trip and started developing her own unique style. Cat and Kristy gave her the confidence to experiment with moving around on the board, cross stepping and just generally having fun on the waves. Finally, the food was out of this world. We came in tired and starving to devour amazing lunches and dinners made from fresh ingredients from Saladita farm. The stargazing with margaritas was the perfect ending to each amazing day.
Written January 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

chelsey l
Victoria, Canada3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
Kristy and Cat provide a luxury surf vacation with a low key feel. Every aspect of your trip is catered so you can focus on surfing and relaxing. They are are experts in their field providing personalized coaching programs that get results (high coach to student ratio, honest feedback, well planned education sessions and reviews, variety of boards etc)! My surfing has improved greatly and I plan to do a third trip with them next year.
Aside from surfing, there are too many favorites to list, the food was 10/10, they hire local and buy local as much as possible, they planned fun excursions and are flexible based on your interests, they share their surf stories/histories leading to authentic connection and act as strong ambassadors for the sport!
Written January 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah M
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Friends
There's nothing like a week with Kristy and Cat! A friend and I joined them in Saladita, Mexico in March. They've really created a unique and magical experience that will leave you a better longboarder and happier human. I laughed so much during my week. The group was small - so we all could get to know each other well and the coaching was highly personalized. In terms of surfing - they come with such respect for the history we're a part of and the communities we surf in. Etiquette, being respectful and kind, and surfing with humility and joy are prioritized. It's such a refreshing and much needed way of being on the water. The food was delicious and fresh, the margaritas were divine, and the accommodations were great!
Written April 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

katie m
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
After years of dreaming about it, finally spent a week in La Saladita with Kristy and Cat. Before arriving I was worried that the experience couldn't possibly live up to my daydreams. Well, it exceeded my expectations! Loved the feedback on my surfing and the encouragement out on the waves. Such good vibes. When out of the water, the accommodations were beautiful, the food was amazing and Kristy's margaritas were a sunset highlight every night. It was really obvious that Kristy and Cat care about the local community in La Saladita and make a point to not only be good community members, but also contribute back. Already dreaming about the next time I can join them.
Written April 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Kristy Murphy's Siren Surf Adventures - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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