Surf's Up Costume
Channel your inner rockhopper penguin and ride the big waves this Halloween.
Surf's Up is a beloved animated mockumentary following Cody Maverick, a spunky rockhopper penguin determined to win the Big Z Memorial Surf Championship. Dressing up as Cody is a popular choice for fans of the film who want a cozy, fun, and instantly recognizable look. The costume centers around a penguin aesthetic paired with classic surfer accessories like a lei, a shell necklace, and a surfboard.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as Surf's Up
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Surf's Up costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Surf's Up costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Penguin Onesie
A black and white plush penguin jumpsuit with a hood and yellow beak.
DIY: Wear a black hoodie over a white t-shirt, and pin yellow felt triangles to the hood for a beak.
Yellow Feather Tufts
Bright yellow craft feathers or felt strips to mimic Cody's signature rockhopper eyebrows.
DIY: Cut jagged eyebrow shapes out of yellow felt and safety pin them to the onesie hood.
Big Z Shell Necklace
A simple cord necklace featuring a single spiral shell pendant, Cody's prized possession.
DIY: Thread a real spiral seashell onto a piece of black hemp cord or twine.
Toy Surfboard
A lightweight foam or inflatable surfboard prop to carry under your arm.
DIY: Cut a surfboard shape out of thick cardboard and paint it with tropical stripes.
Tropical Flower Lei
A colorful fabric flower lei to lean into the Pen Gu Island surf culture.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Surf's Up costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black and white penguin onesie and zip it up comfortably.
- 2
Attach the yellow craft feathers or felt tufts to the sides of the hood to recreate Cody's rockhopper penguin crest.
- 3
Slip the spiral shell necklace around your neck so it sits visibly over the white chest of the onesie.
- 4
Drape the colorful tropical flower lei over your shoulders.
- 5
Tuck the lightweight foam or cardboard surfboard under your arm to complete the surfer look.
Makeup & hair
Since the onesie hood covers your head, no complex hair styling is needed. If desired, apply a touch of yellow face paint near your eyebrows to blend in with the yellow rockhopper crest.
Surf's Up for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Lani Aliikai (wearing a lifeguard tank top and carrying a red rescue buoy) or Chicken Joe.
- group
- Form a full surf crew with Cody, Chicken Joe, Lani, and the legendary Big Z.
- kids
- Use a kids' penguin onesie, a mini foam surfboard, and a plastic shell necklace for a comfortable trick-or-treating outfit.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting, unisex fleece penguin onesie provides a comfortable and flexible fit for all body types.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a simple black-and-white pet hoodie with a small yellow flower lei around their neck.
Tips
- Choose a fleece onesie if you live in a colder climate, or opt for a lightweight cotton version if celebrating indoors.
- Keep your hands free at parties by using a surfboard prop with a carrying strap or wrist leash.
- Wear comfortable sneakers or yellow slip-on shoes to mimic penguin feet while staying comfortable on your feet.
Surf's Up costume FAQ
- What kind of penguin is Cody Maverick?
- Cody is a rockhopper penguin, which is why he has those distinctive spiky yellow feathers above his eyes.
- How do I make Cody's necklace?
- You can easily make it by finding a spiral-shaped seashell, drilling a small hole near the top, and threading it onto a black cord.
- Is this costume suitable for warm weather?
- Plush onesies can get warm. If it's hot, you can wear a black t-shirt and shorts, wear a lei and shell necklace, and carry a surfboard instead.
Did you know? Surf's Up was released in 2007 and was animated in a unique mockumentary style, complete with handheld camera shakes and 'on-camera' interviews with the characters.