Custom Surf Travel Discovery Platform

Project Overview

BeeSolver built a surf travel platform that brings surf spots from around the world and nearby accommodation together on one interactive map. Surfers can explore destinations, browse curated travel guides, and search for places to stay through an integrated booking partner, all within a connected experience.

The Challenge

Planning a surf trip often involves switching between separate websites to discover surf spots, research destinations, and find accommodation. Our client wanted to bring these experiences together in one accessible platform for surfers worldwide.

Explore Surf Spots Worldwide

Display surf locations on an interactive map that allows users to explore destinations and regions.

Connect Surf Spots with Accommodation

Help surfers discover nearby places to stay while exploring potential surf destinations.

Provide Local Destination Knowledge

Offer curated guides with useful information to help surfers plan their trips.

Simplify Accommodation Booking

Integrate a third-party booking partner to provide accommodation search without requiring the client to build and maintain a separate booking engine.

Encourage Responsible Spot Disclosure

Establish clear guidelines for sharing surf locations while considering sensitive environments and local communities.

Destination guides index listing surf countries and regions, with mobile app links and policy links in the footer

The Solution

Connecting surf discovery with travel planning.

Integrating Rather Than Rebuilding

We integrated Stay22's embedded map and accommodation search capabilities, allowing users to explore accommodation options without requiring a custom booking engine.

Connecting Surf-Spot Data

The platform uses a GPX data layer to display surf spots alongside accommodation information on the interactive map.

Creating a Consistent Platform Experience

We configured the embedded map to align with the platform's visual design, including colours and relevant display settings, within the integration's supported customisation options.

Building Content-Rich Destination Guides

We developed destination guide pages to complement the interactive map, giving surfers additional information to explore before choosing where to travel.

Supporting the Platform with Laravel

Laravel provides the foundation for destination content, contact forms, newsletter signups, and supporting data endpoints.

One Map for Waves and Places to Stay

Interactive Surf-Spot Map

The interactive world map displays surf spots alongside nearby accommodation, allowing users to explore different regions, zoom into destinations, and discover potential places to surf and stay.

Integrated Accommodation Search

Through the Stay22 integration, surfers can explore accommodation options near selected destinations and continue to the booking partner to complete their reservations.

Destination Guides

Curated destination guides provide additional information about surf destinations, helping users research locations and plan their trips beyond the map.

Responsible Surf-Spot Disclosure

A Responsible Surf Spot Disclosure Policy explains the platform's approach to publishing surf locations, recognising the importance of protecting sensitive surf breaks and local communities.

Newsletter and Contact

Newsletter signup and contact forms give visitors ways to stay connected with the platform and provide a direct channel for enquiries.

Companion Mobile Apps

Companion iOS and Android applications extend the surf travel experience to mobile devices.

Technology Stack

The Engineering Behind the Platform

Laravel
Web platform, destination guides, forms, newsletter functionality, and supporting data endpoints.
Stay22
Embedded map and accommodation search through a third-party booking partner.
GPX
Structured surf-spot location data displayed on the map.
iOS and Android
Companion mobile applications for supported platform features.

Challenges We Addressed

Displaying Surf Spots and Accommodation on One Map

Problem

Surf locations maintained by the client and accommodation listings provided by a third-party partner come from different data sources. Presenting both together requires a compatible way to display the information within a single map experience.

Our Approach

We used a GPX data layer to display the client's surf locations alongside accommodation information through the Stay22 map integration, giving users a shared view for exploring surf destinations and nearby places to stay.

Keeping Third-Party Integrations Consistent with the Platform

Problem

Embedded maps and booking widgets can introduce different branding and visual styles, making the experience feel disconnected from the rest of the platform.

Our Approach

We configured the embedded map's available display and styling options to better align with the platform's visual identity. The extent of branding removal and interface customisation depends on the integration's supported capabilities.

Maintaining Up-to-Date Surf-Spot Data

Problem

Surf-spot information may need to change as locations are added, updated, or removed, particularly when disclosure decisions affect which locations should remain publicly visible.

Our Approach

The GPX data layer provides a separate way to manage map location data, keeping surf-spot locations distinct from the accommodation integration.

Encouraging Responsible Location Sharing

Problem

Publicly disclosing every surf location can create concerns for sensitive environments and local communities.

Our Approach

The platform includes a Responsible Surf Spot Disclosure Policy that explains its approach to sharing location information and supports a more considered approach to publishing surf-spot data.

The Surfer Journey

Step 1Discover the platform
Step 2Explore surf spots on the mapSurf-spot discovery
Step 3Review destination guides
Step 4Find nearby accommodationAccommodation search
Step 5Continue to Stay22 to bookBooking partner's site
Step 6Stay in touch: newsletter or contact

Surf spots and nearby accommodation sit on the same map, so finding a wave leads straight to finding a place to stay. Reservations are completed with the booking partner, Stay22, not on the platform itself.

Building a Travel or Discovery Platform?

BeeSolver builds travel and discovery platforms with interactive maps, booking-partner integrations and rich destination content. Tell us about your audience and we’ll show you how we’d build it.

Let’s Discuss Your Requirements

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Project Overview

The Solution

Connecting surf discovery with travel planning.

Integrating Rather Than Rebuilding

We integrated Stay22's embedded map and accommodation search capabilities, allowing users to explore accommodation options without requiring a custom booking engine.

Connecting Surf-Spot Data

The platform uses a GPX data layer to display surf spots alongside accommodation information on the interactive map.

Creating a Consistent Platform Experience

We configured the embedded map to align with the platform's visual design, including colours and relevant display settings, within the integration's supported customisation options.

Building Content-Rich Destination Guides

We developed destination guide pages to complement the interactive map, giving surfers additional information to explore before choosing where to travel.

Supporting the Platform with Laravel

Laravel provides the foundation for destination content, contact forms, newsletter signups, and supporting data endpoints.