Getting paid
Surfers pay you directly for your shots, your boards or your gear. SurfVault never touches the money and takes 0%.
On SurfVault
Photographers, shapers and brands can show how to pay them in two places.
Add one or more methods under Payments & tips, in Edit Profile in the app or Settings on the web. People see them on your profile and on any access request, and pay you directly. Prefer tips? Turn on the donations toggle for a "Buy Me a Coffee" block.
In any conversation, tap Generate payment link to drop a payment request into the chat: an amount, a note and a pay link or handle. Perfect for quoting one surfer for one session, or a buyer for one board.
In the United States
If you and the person paying are both in the US, the everyday apps work great.
@your-venmo $yourcashtag your email or phone Paid from their bank app paypal.me/you Heads up: Venmo, Cash App and Zelle only work between two US accounts. A surfer visiting from abroad, or a photographer outside the US, can't use them. Use the options below instead.
Anywhere else
There's no single "Venmo for the world", but surf photographers from Nicaragua to Indonesia get paid by traveling surfers every day. Here's what actually works.
Built for freelancers paid worldwide, in 190+ countries. Its Request a Payment link lets the surfer pay by credit or debit card in their browser, with no Payoneer account or app on their end. You receive USD and withdraw to your local bank or a Payoneer card. Put the link on your profile as a Payment link, or send a fresh one per booking with Generate payment link. Card payments cost up to 3.99% plus $0.49 (you choose whether you or the surfer covers it), withdrawing to your bank costs about $1.50 or more with currency conversion, and there's a $29.95 yearly fee if you receive less than $6,000.
Visit PayoneerShare your local bank details, and the surfer sends money with Wise that lands in your currency, in your bank, usually fast. The trade-off: they have to send it through Wise, on their phone or computer, and paying by card costs them more than paying from a bank. Best for repeat clients or bigger amounts. You don't need a Wise account to receive.
Visit WiseLocal cash-out is country by country. You can withdraw straight to a local bank in Mexico (through SPEI/CLABE) and Brazil, plus Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Indonesia and the Philippines, so it works just like in the US. Across Europe (Portugal included) and Australia it withdraws to a local bank as standard, and in South Africa it withdraws through FNB Online Banking to any South African bank. Where it doesn't (Nicaragua is the notable one), you can receive into your balance but only withdraw to a US bank; a bridge like Airtm can move it to a local bank or card for a fee. Check PayPal's withdrawal options for your country first.
Visit PayPalRemitly, WorldRemit, Western Union and Xoom (by PayPal) are built for sending money across borders. The surfer sends to your name for bank deposit or cash pickup, often within minutes. More steps than a pay link, but familiar to anyone who's sent a remittance.
If you and your client both use crypto, a US dollar stablecoin like USDC or USDT settles in minutes, anywhere, often for a few cents on networks like Solana or Base and a few dollars on Tron. Share a wallet address, receive, then cash out to your currency through a local exchange or peer-to-peer marketplace; cashing out usually costs more than the transfer itself. Niche for most tourists, but a real edge with the crypto crowd.
Email us and we'll help you find the best setup.
Last reviewed: October 2026. SurfVault is not a payment processor or financial advisor. We never hold, move or take a cut of your money; every method above is between you and the person paying. Provider names are mentioned for convenience, not as endorsements. Verify current fees and availability with each service.
