Funny Out-of-Office Emails for Every Kind of Summer Vacation

Heading out on a summer vacation? (Or two…or three?) While you’re gone, keep your contacts up to date on your travel plans with funny out-of-office emails! 

That autoresponder feature in your email isn’t just for sharing the details of who to contact when you’re gone, it’s also a great way to showcase your personality and connect with your contacts. So rather than using the same old boring, cookie-cutter response, why not try something that will leave your audience laughing?

Whether you’re road-tripping, backpacking around Europe, lying on the beach, or camping with the fam, we’ve got a funny OOO message to suit your summer vacation.

Surf’s Up

Taking a beach vacay? Whether you Hang Ten or spend the whole time lying in the sun with a cocktail, share your love of the sand and surf with your contacts.

Here’s an example:

Dude,

Have you SEEN these waves?? 

Oh, sorry, I forgot you’re not sitting here on the beach with me. Take it from me, there are some rad barrels out there!

While I’m out catching tasty waves and sipping Mai Tais, I won’t be checking my email. If you need to get in touch with someone while I’m gone, shoot [Contact Name] an email at [Contact’s Email Address]. They’ll totally help you out. 

Otherwise, I’ll get back to you when the surf chills out and I’m back on land (most likely [Date You’re Returning to Work]). 

Hang loose 🤙

[Your name]

Tales From the Campsite 

If you’re planning to sleep under the stars for your summer vacation, this one’s for you! Share your love of the outdoors — and some fun nature facts — with your contacts.

For example:

Hi friend,

Did you know that a group of bears is called a sleuth? 

Or that the s’more was invented by a Girl Scout troop leader?

And the biggest fish ever caught in Minnesota was a 120-lb sturgeon?

These are just some of the fun nature facts I’ve learned getting ready for my camping trip. While I’m really hoping I won’t run into a sleuth of bears, I do plan on roasting my fair share of marshmallows and catching the biggest fish I can (though probably not a 120-pounder!). 

While I’m off exploring the wilderness, I’ll probably be out of cell phone range (and definitely won’t be checking my email regardless). So if you need something urgently, contact [Contact Name] at [Contact Email Address]. Otherwise, I’ll respond to your email once I’m back in the office on [Date You’re Returning to Work].

From my campfire to yours,

[Your Name]

Stars, Stripes, and Sparklers

Is July 4th your favorite holiday? Do you spend the day frolicking through the neighborhood, swathed in red, white, and blue, waving sparklers, and singing “America, the Beautiful”? Then share your festive spirit with a funny OOO message while you’re off celebrating.

Like this:

Happy 4th, friend!

In my opinion, the 4th of July is the BEST holiday there is! 

Sunshine…

Parades…

BBQs…

Fireworks…

Emergency room visits after getting a little too close to said fireworks…

Ok, I may or may not have personal experience with that last one (long story), but the rest of it? *Happy sigh* It’s my absolute favorite day of the year!

So naturally I won’t be checking my email today. But if you need to get a hold of someone urgently, you can try [Name of Contact] at [Contact’s Email Address] (although, TBH, they’re probably out celebrating too). 

Otherwise, I’ll respond to your email when I’m back in the office tomorrow (or the next day, if I end up in the ER again…).

Stars and stripes forever,

[Your Name]

…Are We There Yet?

Packing the kids into the family car and hitting the road this summer? Consider your OOO message written for you!

Example:

Hi friend,

Sorry I can’t respond to your email right now, but I’m currently wedged into our family station wagon with the whole fam (including the dog, the cat, the hamster, and enough gear to outfit an army of vacationers). That’s right — we’re on an epic road trip! 

While I’m seeing the sights, playing I Spy, refereeing backseat sibling fights, and feasting on roadside picnic fare, I won’t be checking my email.

If you need immediate help, contact [Contact Name] at [Contact Email Address]. Otherwise, I’ll connect with you when I’m back in the office on [Date You’re Returning to Work].

Happy Trails!

[Your Name]

Adventures of the Indoorsy 

Or are you planning to escape the heat and crowds by staying in for your vacation? Whether you’re working through that Netflix watch list, spending hours playing the latest video game, or soaking in the tub with a good book, share your plans with a side of humor.

Like this:

Hi friend,

I can’t respond to your email right now, as I’m currently on vacation!

What am I doing, you ask?

Look…I know it’s summer and you’re probably expecting me to say I’m lying on an exotic beach or spending my days cruising the lake in my boat. But seeing as I burn the second my skin sees the sun, I’ve decided to spend my vacation indoors, doing the things I always wish I had time for! 

If you need anything while I’m sleeping till noon, burning through my Netflix watch list, finally getting through my TBR pile, and spending hours playing the latest video games, contact [Contact Name] at [Contact Email Address]. Or, once I’m back in the office on [Date You’re Returning to Work], I’ll get back to you.

Best wishes from this couch potato,

[Your Name]

Around the World in Two Weeks

Are you more of a world traveler? Want an out-of-office message that screams, ““Be jealous of my luxurious European vacation?”

How about something like this:

Hello from the other side of the world!

Yes, that’s right, I’m off on a tour of my favorite European locales! Until [Date You’re Returning to Work], I’ll be sipping champagne atop the Eiffel Tower, viewing precious works of art in Florence, walking the storied streets of Barcelona, and eating my way through the best restaurants in the world.

While I’m enjoying the finer things in life, feel free to contact [Contact Name] at [Contact Email Address] for help with any urgent needs. Otherwise, I’ll respond to your message upon my return.

Au revoir, arrivederci, and adiós!

[Your Name]

Ridin’ the (Roller Coaster) Rails

Hitting the amusement park for your vacation? Share your enthusiasm for roller coasters, Pronto Pups, and Mickey Mouse in your OOO message. 

For example:

Hi friend,

I’m off riding the rails…the roller coaster rails, that is! 

I’m packing up the fam and taking them to [Your Favorite Amusement Park] to ride roller coasters and eat foot-long hotdogs and cotton candy (in that order…because we all know what happens if the food comes first! 🤢).

While I’m off riding rides I’m way too old for (and hopefully not cleaning up after sick kids), feel free to reach out to [Contact Name] at [Contact Email Address]. Otherwise, I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve recovered from my trip.

All aboard! 🎢

[Your Name]

Epic Explorers Club

If your vacations are anything but typical; if you’d rather be scaling mountains than lying on the beach; or if your idea of fun is biking from coast to coast…this one’s for you. Share your adventurous spirit with your contacts in your out-of-office message.

For example:

Hi friend,

I can’t answer your email right now, because I’m off on yet another epic adventure!

While I’m [scaling X Mountain/deep sea diving/biking from coast to coast/braving the Amazon jungle…or whatever adventure you’re taking on], I won’t have access to my email. After all, what kind of epic adventure involves answering emails??

No, I’ll be far too busy skirting danger and tempting fate to answer your message (at least, until I’m back in the office on [Date You’re Returning to Work]). In the meantime, feel free to reach out to [Contact Name] at [Contact Email Address] if you have an urgent request.

Wish me a safe return,

[Your Name]

Keep it Funny, But Don’t Leave Out the Details

I think you’ll agree that funny out-of-office emails are WAY more engaging than the boring old default ones. However, in all this fun, don’t forget to include the important details they’ll need to know while you’re gone:

• The date range you're out of the office
• The date you’ll respond by. (Pro tip: If you tend to get a massive number of emails when you're away, make sure this date is one or two days AFTER you're back in the office to give yourself some time to get caught up.)
• An alternate contact in case of an emergency (include the contact’s name and email/phone). 

Also, don’t forget to record a voicemail OOO message! You can use the same script you use in your email or switch it up to something else. Again, make sure you include the important details listed above.

And finally, include some kind of call-to-action in your email. Direct them to your website, an informative webinar or podcast you recorded, a blog post you wrote, etc. If your CTA doesn’t quite fit into your quirky email, leave it as a p.s.

For example: 

p.s. While you’re waiting for me to get back from vacation, check out this great blog our team just wrote! [Link to Blog Post]

Alternatively, your CTA could be as simple as inviting them to follow you on social media to keep up with your travels. If you do this, include clickable links to your social accounts to make it easy for them to find you.

I hope these examples inspire you to start using funny out-of-office emails that engage and entertain your contacts. Feel free to copy and paste the ones in this blog or use them as templates to create your own.

And, most importantly, enjoy your summer vacation!

Want more funny out-of-office message ideas? Luckily, the Figgy team loves writing them! Check out our Holiday OOO messages and our Spring Break OOO messages!

Or for ALL of our funniest out-of-office message ideas for every season, fill out the form below to download our free eBook!

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