Surfing

Overview

Surfing is a recreational activity in inZOI that lets Zois grab a board and ride the waves along the coast. It has been available since the Early Access launch on March 28, 2025, making it one of the original water activities in the game. Surfing serves double duty as both a fun beach pastime and a way to build the Fitness skill. Zois who pursue the Fitness Master Ambition will find surfing especially rewarding, since it triggers the "Wants to Ride the Waves" Urge and earns Meow Coins.

A notable historical quirk: at launch, you could surf in inZOI but could not swim in the ocean. Ocean swimming was only added five months later with the Island Getaway DLC in August 2025.

Surfing is a free activity with no monetary cost. Players do not need to purchase a surfboard; they simply walk up to one of the boards scattered along the beach and interact with it. The activity draws from real surfing culture and fits naturally into Bliss Bay's coastal lifestyle theme, giving fitness-oriented and beach-loving Zois a signature outdoor pastime.

Where to Surf

Surfing is available at two locations, both along the coast. The activity is only available between 9:00 AM and 6:59 PM in-game time. Outside these hours the Surf interaction option disappears entirely. A developer confirmed on the official forums that this time restriction is intended behavior, not a bug.

Bliss Bay

The primary surfing location is Bliss Bay, specifically along the western coastline near the Muscle Beach area and the pier. Surfboards are scattered across the sand in various spots. Only boards positioned close to the water's edge offer the full "Surf" interaction; boards further up the beach only allow practice options. The blue and white patterned boards near the shoreline are the most reliable for actual surfing. Boards near the amusement park have also been confirmed to work by multiple players.

Posey's Surf Shop

Bliss Bay also features Posey's Surf Shop near the beach. Despite its name and description of offering "the latest surfing equipment and personalized surfing lessons," the shop functions as a career lot for the Cashier job rather than a player-facing store. You cannot purchase usable surfboards there. See the Posey's Surf Shop Career section below for details on working at this location.

The most reliable surfing spots in Bliss Bay are concentrated in a stretch running from the pier down toward Muscle Beach. When arriving at the beach, head toward the waterline and look for boards that are partially touching the wet sand. These are the ones most likely to offer the full "Surf" option. Boards sitting on dry sand further inland tend to only support the two practice interactions.

Cahaya

The tropical island of Cahaya, added in the Island Getaway DLC (v0.3.0, August 2025), has surfboards on its beaches. Surfing was initially broken in Cahaya due to a bug where the "Surf" option would not appear on any board regardless of Fitness level or time of day. The v0.4.0 update (October 2025) fixed the issue, restoring surfboard functionality on the island. There are two specific surfboards positioned near the ocean that support actual surfing (not just practice). The same Fitness Level 3 requirement and 9 AM to 7 PM time restriction apply.

Cahaya's surfing spots are located along Barat Beach on the western side of the island. The tropical setting provides a different visual backdrop compared to Bliss Bay, with palm trees, turquoise water, and a more relaxed island atmosphere. Players who own the Island Getaway DLC can enjoy surfing in either location depending on which city their Zoi currently lives in or is visiting.

Dowon is an inland city and does not offer surfing. Zois living outside Bliss Bay or Cahaya who want to surf need to Travel Between Cities to reach the coast.

Requirements

Two conditions must be met before a Zoi can surf. Surfboards on the beach are completely free to use, and there is no shop where you need to purchase a board.

It is worth noting that the Fitness requirement only applies to the "Surf" (Go Surfing) interaction that sends the Zoi into the water. The two practice interactions, Practice Good Posture and Practice Paddling, have no Fitness level requirement and can be used by any Young Adult or older Zoi. This makes practice an excellent stepping stone for Zois who are not yet at Level 3.

Surfboard Interactions

When a Zoi approaches a surfboard on the beach, up to three interaction options may appear depending on the board's position and the Zoi's Fitness level.

The two practice interactions are a great way to build toward Fitness Level 3 while already at the beach. Some players report that using a practice interaction first, then selecting the same board again, makes the "Surf" option appear more reliably.

Build Mode surfboards: Surfboards can be purchased in Build Mode and placed on lots, but Zois cannot use them for actual surfing when placed this way. They function only as decorative objects. There is no surfboard customization system in the game. The Build Mode catalog includes a decorative surfboard item featuring a sun and wave design, along with a surfboard-shaped mirror from the Cahaya Dreams collection, but neither can be used for gameplay purposes.

Surfing Animation

When a Zoi selects the "Surf" or "Go Surfing" option on a qualifying board, a multi-step animation plays out. The Zoi first picks up the surfboard and tucks it under their arm, then jogs down the beach into the water. Once deep enough, the Zoi drops to a prone position on the board and paddles outward. After reaching a certain distance from shore, the Zoi stands up on the board and begins riding the waves.

The surfing animation lasts several in-game minutes. During the ride, the Zoi shifts their weight and balances as the board moves with the ocean current. The camera follows the Zoi from a third-person perspective, and players can rotate the view around them. The Zoi does not perform tricks or jumps; the animation is focused on steady wave riding rather than competitive surfing stunts.

Skill and Need Benefits

Once the surfing session ends, the Zoi paddles back toward shore, stands up in shallow water, and walks out of the ocean carrying the surfboard back to its original position. The entire sequence runs automatically after the initial interaction click. Players cannot cancel the surfing mid-animation without pausing and queuing a different action.

During the activity, the Zoi's Fun need fills steadily, and the Fitness skill gains experience. If the Zoi is fulfilling the "Wants to Ride the Waves" Urge at the same time, the Urge progress bar advances as the animation plays. After the session concludes, the Zoi typically receives the Excited emotion, providing a positive mood boost that lasts for several hours.

Building Fitness for Surfing

Reaching Fitness Level 3 is the main barrier to surfing. Fortunately, Bliss Bay offers a free open-air gym right next to the surfing area at Muscle Beach. The gym includes squat racks, barbell bench presses, free weights, and pull-down machines, all free to use.

Other ways to raise the Fitness skill include:

Weight machines such as the squat rack and barbell bench press tend to give the highest Fitness experience per session, but they drain the Energy and Hunger needs more quickly. For a balanced approach, alternate between a couple of gym exercises and one or two surfboard practice sessions. This routine can push a new Zoi from Fitness Level 1 to Level 3 within a single in-game day if you manage their Energy and Hunger carefully between workouts.

Once past Level 3, continued surfing sessions help push the Fitness skill higher. The Fitness Master Ambition requires reaching Fitness Level 6 at its second tier and Level 10 at the final tier, so surfing remains a relevant training method well beyond the initial unlock threshold.

Wants to Ride the Waves Urge

Zois with the Fitness Master Ambition can receive the "Wants to Ride the Waves" Urge. The in-game description reads: "Some Zois enjoy challenging nature and riding the waves." This Urge represents an endurance challenge fitting for a fitness-focused character.

To fulfill the Urge:

1. Travel to the beach in Bliss Bay or Cahaya.

2. Locate a surfboard near the water's edge.

3. Select the board and choose "Practice Surfing" or one of the practice interactions.

4. Wait for the Zoi to complete the practice session.

5. Select the same board again and choose "Go Surfing."

Completing the Urge rewards:

• 5 Meow Coins (the standard Urge completion reward)

• Excited emotion, providing a positive mood boost

• Progress toward the Fitness skill

Zois with the Life of Excitement Desired Life also request surfing more frequently. The Life of Excitement includes the Adventurer and Entertainer traits with the Chief Explorer Ambition, making it a natural fit for beach-loving Zois.

The Fitness Master Ambition has three levels that surfing contributes toward:

Because each surfing session counts as a "workout" for Ambition progress tracking, Zois can chip away at all three levels simply by surfing regularly at the beach. Pairing surfing with the Concentrated or Focused emotion (obtainable through coffee, tea, or successful prior activities) is particularly efficient for clearing the Level 3 requirement of 20 workouts while in that emotional state.

Posey's Surf Shop Career

Posey's Surf Shop is a career lot located in Bliss Bay near the beach. It is one of the city-exclusive part-time careers, meaning only Zois who live in or are currently visiting Bliss Bay can apply for a job there. The shop's in-game description mentions "the latest surfing equipment and personalized surfing lessons," though the store does not sell usable surfboards to players.

The career line at Posey's Surf Shop is the Surf Shop Employee track, an active career where players accompany their Zoi to the shop during work hours and complete tasks hands-on. This is the same format as other active retail careers like working at the convenience store or the furniture store.

Job Levels

Work Tasks

Tasks at Posey's Surf Shop are divided into morning, afternoon, and evening shifts. All tasks are time-limited, and completing them within the window advances the job experience bar toward promotion. Common tasks include:

• Ring up customers at the register when they approach the counter.

• Restock items on shelves when inventory runs low. This task can sometimes be unavailable if the shelves are already full.

• Clean the shop floor and keep the store presentable.

• Greet customers who enter the shop to maintain a friendly atmosphere.

Promotion from Cashier to Manager happens automatically the morning after the experience bar reaches 100%. Consistently completing all available tasks during each shift is the fastest path to promotion. Failing to finish tasks on time slows progress but does not result in demotion or job loss.

Working at Posey's Surf Shop does not directly increase the Fitness skill or grant any special surfing abilities. It is purely a career for earning Meow and does not interact with the surfing gameplay system. However, the shop's beach-adjacent location makes it convenient for Zois to surf before or after their work shift.

Autonomy and Surfing

When Free Will (also called Autonomy) is enabled, Zois can decide on their own to visit the beach and interact with surfboards. However, the autonomous behavior is not always predictable. Zois at the beach may choose to practice speech, sit on benches, or stand idle rather than gravitating toward the surfboards. The current AI does not specifically prioritize surfing for Zois with high Fitness or fitness-related traits.

Zois with the Fitness Master Ambition or the Life of Excitement Desired Life are more likely to develop the "Wants to Ride the Waves" Urge, which then guides their autonomous behavior toward the surfboards. When the Urge is active and Free Will is on, the Zoi will attempt to travel to the beach and surf on their own, though they may still get sidetracked by other needs along the way.

Best Surfing Spots

The Smart Zoi AI system, which uses neural network-based decision making to guide Zoi behavior, can influence surfing decisions based on a Zoi's personality and emotional state. Adventurous Zois with high Fun tolerance and strong Fitness motivation are the most likely candidates for autonomous surfing trips. That said, manually directing a Zoi to surf remains the most reliable way to guarantee the activity happens.

Weather and Seasonal Considerations

Surfing is available during all seasons and weather conditions. Rain, clouds, and overcast skies do not prevent the activity from being used, and the time restriction (9 AM to 7 PM) is the only scheduling barrier. The ocean waves remain consistent regardless of weather, and no storms or rough seas mechanic currently prevents surfing.

However, season and weather do affect the Zoi's comfort. During colder months (fall and winter), a Zoi who walks to the beach in light clothing may become Uncomfortable due to the temperature. Conversely, during summer, the beach is a natural place for a Zoi to cool down. Dressing appropriately for the current weather before heading to the beach is good practice, since a Zoi who becomes ill from temperature exposure will need a First Aid Kit to recover.

The visual atmosphere of surfing changes with the time of day. Surfing in the morning light creates a different aesthetic than surfing in the late afternoon as the sun moves lower. Because the activity window closes at 7 PM, players cannot surf at sunset or during the golden hour, which has been a common community request on the official forums.

Recommended Zoi Builds for Surfing

While any Zoi who meets the Fitness Level 3 and Young Adult requirements can surf, certain trait and ambition combinations make the experience more rewarding and synergistic.

For the most efficient surfing progression, create a Zoi in Bliss Bay with the Adventurer trait and the Fitness Master Ambition. Spend the first in-game day building Fitness at Muscle Beach gym, then transition to surfing once Level 3 is reached. From that point forward, surfing sessions count toward the Ambition while keeping the Fun need satisfied.

Benefits of Surfing

Water Activities Comparison

Surfing was the original water activity in the base game. The Island Getaway DLC (v0.3.0, August 2025) added several additional water activities to Cahaya.

Surfing stands out from the other water activities because it is the only one available in the base game without any DLC purchase. It is also the only water activity that directly levels the Fitness skill rather than a dedicated Swimming or Fishing skill. Players who own the Island Getaway DLC can chain multiple water activities together during a Cahaya beach trip for maximum skill gains across different categories.

Patch History

Surfing has been adjusted across several updates since the Early Access launch:

The v0.4.0 patch specifically listed "Surf the Waves" under its interaction fixes section alongside other activity repairs. This resolved the Cahaya surfing bug that had been reported by players since the DLC launch in August. The patch also placed additional beach infrastructure on Cahaya, including lifeguard stands and outdoor fitness equipment, making the island a more complete destination for beach activities.

Tips and Known Issues