What it costs: Surfing in the Pacific

Everyone wants to hang ten in Hawaii, and rightfully so. But before you throw trade a month’s rent for this adventure, consider what it costs to surf the equally epic shores of Tofino, B.C.

It’s №73 on Esquire magazine’s bucket list: learn to surf. For many of us, we think that means packing our board shorts and heading for Honolulu, where we’ll paddle into the Pacific to the soothing sounds of ukuleles and Don Ho. But are you really ready to spend as much as an extra month’s rent to achieve this goal? There’s an alternative: Head to Tofino, B.C., where the surf is equally epic and the scenery is just as jaw-dropping. You can make like Keanu in Point Break without breaking the bank (or robbing one). Check it out:

Surfin’ safari: Honolulu vs. Tofino

HOW TO GET THERE

Honolulu, HI
Roundtrip airfare
$736

Tofino, B.C.
Roundtrip airfare
$400

WHERE TO STAY

Honolulu, HI
Three nights in a Honolulu studio apartment found on Airbnb
$521

Tofino, B.C.
Three nights at the Red Cedar Retreat cabin found on Airbnb
$278

WHERE TO SURF

Honolulu, HI
A 1.5-hour lesson with Big Wave Dave, gear included
$149

Tofino, B.C.
Three-hour group lesson at Tofino Surf School (gear included)
$365

TOTAL

Honolulu, HI $1,408
Tofino, B.C. $748

You could save $660!

That’s a lot of money right? And here’s the thing: There’s a lot you could do with the extra cash. If you tucked those savings in your RRSP, that $660 would more than triple its value by the time you retire (4% annual return over 30 years, which is actually kind of conservative). Even if you didn’t, that money could be the start of an annual vacation fund or the cash you’d need to buy yourself a longboard when you realize you’ve found your calling. The point is: Give your money a purpose and watch it grow.

What would you do with an extra $660? Sign up for free financial inspiration and advice straight to your inbox at Evree.ca.