Last updated on January 3rd, 2024 at 09:51 am
If you are looking for a surf camp in Portugal you came to the right place. In this article we listed our top choices for a surf camp in Portugal, where you can improve your surfing skills, and have the perfect surf vacation.
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About Portugal
Portugal is one of the best surf destinations in Europe, and maybe even the best of them. With a Mediterranean climate and a beautiful coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal offers a great variety of surf spots. For that reason, surfers worldwide come to Portugal every year to enjoy a wonderful surf vacation.
When choosing a surf camp in Portugal, several key factors must be considered. The level of accommodation, transportation, location, and budget are crucial but not as much as the surf instructors’ experience and coaching tools. Moreover, your current surf level and the kind of people you will meet are also things to consider to make the best of the experience.
So let’s get right to it, in detail; these are the most recommended surf camps in Portugal:
A List of the Best Surf Camps in Portugal:
Peniche Surf Camp
Peniche is probably the best location for a surf camp in Portugal. It is not only a home for the famous beach break of Supertubos, but it also has a great variety of surf spots for all skill levels and any swell conditions.
Peniche Surf Camp was founded by two local brothers and became a leader in the field. With a team of professional coaches and years of experience, the camp offers beginner and intermediate surfers a surf program. Using the best equipment and a great altitude, the instructors here will improve your surfing quickly. In addition, the camp offers a variety of accommodations for all budgets and a cool rooftop bar.
For more details about surf camps in Peniche, please click here.
Baleal Surf Camp
Baleal, a small village just next to Peniche, has a more relaxed vibe, and the waves here are perfect for beginners. Due to the shape of the beach, even on windy days or big swells, surfers can simply surf close to the corner of the bay, where the water is calmer and more sheltered.
Baleal Surf Camp is a family business. Established in 1993, it is one of the first surf camps in Portugal. By focusing on customer service and the environment, the camp has an excellent reputation as a place that will make you a better surfer and ensure you have a good time while doing so. Here, you will get top-quality gear and learn all you need to know from certified coaches, from positioning yourself on the board to priority rules and more, all in a safe, gradual way.
For more details about surf camps in Baleal please click here.
Ferral Surf House, Baleal
Ferrel Surf House is a local surf camp surrounded by spots that work at almost any given swell and wind direction. That ensures consistent surf conditions nearly 365 days a year. The surf house is perfect for solo travelers, couples, groups, and surfers of all skill levels. The beginner program mainly focuses on basic skills, and there is also surf coaching for advanced surfers, which focuses on high performance. Both programs include transportation, insurance, theory, practice, equipment, and video analysis.
For more surf camps in Baleal area please click here.
Alex Surf School, Baleal
Since 2000, Alex Surf School has guided surfers on the Peniche area’s great waves. With tons of experience and a personalized approach, Alex Surf School believes anyone can surf, from little kids to senior citizens. The surf lessons are done in small groups with a certified instructor, a wetsuit, and a surfboard customized to your size and level. Video sessions are also available upon request.
For more details and accommodations in the area please click here.
Ericeira Surf Camp
Ericeira is one of the most popular surf destinations in Europe. With world-class waves less than 1 hour from the International Airport, it is no wonder surfers from around the globe come here year after year. The coastline of Ericeira offers an excellent variety of breaks, from soft beach breaks to punchy barrels over a reef.
Ericeira Surf Camp offers packages for different surf levels, with the option to combine it with other activities such as yoga, biking, and more. Depending on your level and needs, you can customize your favorite program to fit you specifically. Unlike a few other surf camps in Portugal, this one has a program for beginners and advanced surfers.
For more details about surf camps in Ericeira please click here.
Star Surf Camp, Ericeira
Star Surf Camp offers both surf lesson packages for beginners as well as guiding packages for advanced surfers. It provides a stay in a Portuguese-style villa with a panoramic roof terrace. This camp is a great place to relax with a few drinks in the evening sun after a long day of chasing waves.
All the surf instructors at Star Surf Camp are fully licensed and have a lifeguard qualification. Surf lessons take 2-3 hours, and of course, you can book a camp for the whole week.
Ericeira Surf House
Since 2015, Ericeira Surf House has offered great surf holidays for surfers from all over the world. It has a variety of bed & breakfast accommodations to fit different budgets and needs. On top of that, the guests can take surf lessons, surf equipment, rental bikes, yoga classes, and airport transfers.
Based on the forecast, the surf school checks the conditions daily and decides where to surf. All instructors are qualified, and the head coaches are born and raised in Ericeira, so both beginners and advanced surfers can benefit from this program. Also, both Foz do Lizandro and Praia do Sul are a short walk from the house, so if you want to make the journey even more comfortable, you can rent a bike with a board rack.
Girl on the Wave Surf Project, Ericeira
Since 2018, Girl on the Wave Surf Camp has provided surf packages for surfers of all skill levels. With the primary purpose of empowering women, this is where girls can travel, meet, bond, and improve, both as surfers and as human beings.
With personal and group coaching, in this program, you will learn all the fundamentals of surfing. Beginners will learn techniques to help them go from the prone position to a proper surfing stance. This course can help you find the takeoff that works best for you. Then, you will learn correct paddling, duck diving, catching green waves, and everything you need to become a true surfer as fast as possible.
Amar Hostel, Suites & Surf Camp, Ericeira
Located right in the center of Ericeira, Amar Hostel is all about the relaxed lifestyle by the ocean. It is a home for surfers and travelers alike to enjoy the chilled town atmosphere. In this surf program, the camp shares its great passion for surfing and gives you the highest level of coaching. It combines theory, practice, video analysis, and continuous feedback throughout the course.
The team at Amar Surf Camp consists of well-experienced, certified coaches. With technical and local knowledge, they will guide you through surfing in a fun way and take your performance and amusement to new levels.
Tika Surf Camp Ericeira
Tika Surf Camp was founded in 2022, so it is probably the newest camp you can stay with. It can be an advantage, as it is fresh, modern, and passionate.
The camp offers excellent accommodations just 800 meters from Sao Juliao Beach. It has a surf program for 3, 5, or 7 days and single sessions if you wish. In addition, you can order airport transfers, yoga sessions, and personal training.
For more details about surf camps in Ericeira please click here.
Chill in Ericeira
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced surfer, Chill in Ericaira Surf Camp will customize surf lessons in order to fit your current skill level. It is a modern surf camp with a fabulous young vibe, and it offers great surf coaching and other fun activities.
Beginner coaching will focus on paddling, positioning, catching broken waves, and soft carving. However, for the more experienced ones, there are surf safaris in the many famous world-class breaks around Ericiera. Rental boards are available, and video analysis as well. Moreover, you can expand your experience with horseback riding, golf, and other tourist attractions.
For more information about surf camps and hotels please click here.
Surfriders Ericeira
The Surfriders Ericeira is operated by local surfers with tons of experience and passion for surfing the best waves in Portugal. Since 2016, it has helped surfers to become a better version of themselves. There is a program for any type of surfer, from beginner to expert. This camp is super professional and will give you the highest level of coaching you can get. Also, if you are interested, you can combine your package with some sup or yoga classes.
For more details about surf camps in Portugal please click here.
Algarve Surf School
The Algarve region is situated in the southern part of Portugal, in the warmest area in Europe. Due to its location, the water here is warmer than in the rest of the country, and there is an extensive selection of surf breaks. In other words, it is a perfect place for a summer surf holiday.
Algarve Surf School is one of the most popular surf camps in Portugal. It offers group and private surf lessons for all skill levels, affordable surf camp packages all year, quality board rentals and merchandise, and a comfortable and fun surf hostel in the little surfing town of Sagres.
For more details about surf camps in Algarve please click here.
What is the Cost of Surf Camps in Portugal?
When choosing a surf camp in Portugal, the camp’s cost is definitely worth considering. Luckily, in Portugal, you can find a variety of camps and packages to suit any budget. Most of the surf camps in Portugal offer great value for your money. Factors like the quality of the accommodation, number of days, seasonality, and additional services determine the cost of a surf camp. Therefore, depending on your budget, you will be able to customize the package that suits your needs best. In most cases, booking a surf camp in Portugal costs you less than booking all services on your own. As for the numbers, a one-week package at a surf camp in Portugal should cost you somewhere between $300 and $800.
What is the Advantage of Surf Camps in Portugal?
Going on a surf trip in a beautiful country like Portugal is one of the best things a surfer can do for himself. There is no greater fun than leaving everyday life and dedicating a week or two to simply riding waves. However, planning a surf trip can be quite a hassle, especially when you need more local knowledge. Tasks like booking hotels, finding restaurants, and knowing which surf spots to go to can be pretty exhausting.
This is precisely where a surf camp kicks in. By booking a surf camp in Portugal, you simply remove the annoying part from the equation and focus only on the fun part. While the camp handles transportation, accommodation, meals, equipment, and surf lessons, you can relax and enjoy your vacation. In addition, surf camps in Portugal allow you to meet other surfers from around the world.
Are Surf Camps in Portugal Suitable for Beginners?
There are plenty of different surf beaches in Portugal with waves that suit all skill levels. For instance, the waves in spots like Nazare and Supertubos can be extremely powerful, but in spots like Baleal, you will find softer waves and an excellent environment for surfing lessons. Therefore, surfers of all skill levels can attend a surf camp in Portugal. Moreover, the instructors in all the surf camps in Portugal know exactly where to take their students in order to keep them safe and help them practice in waves that suit their skills.
What Time of the Year is Best for a Surf Camp in Portugal?
The best time to surf in Portugal is between May to November. To clarify, spots like Ericeira and Peniche receive the best swells between September and November, and also in May and June. However, during the peak of summer, in July and August, the Algarve area in the south of Portugal receives the best swells. It matters little for beginners, as small waves are always available. However, if you are an intermediate or an advanced surfer, choose your location according to the month you go and score the best waves possible.
Which Location in Portugal is Best for a Surf Camp?
Although there are many good surfing beaches in Portugal, these are the most recommended ones for a surf camp:
1. Ericeira- This area has plenty of breaks and is considered Portugal’s surf capital.
2. Peniche and Baleal- You will find anything from beginner waves to powerful barrels in these towns.
3. Algarve- This Area is the most recommended in July and August.
How to Book a Surf Camp in Portugal?
Once you choose your preferred surf camp in Portugal, booking it is pretty easy, as everything is available online. The main question, though, should be what type of surf camp are you looking for, and these are the two main options:
1. If you are a beginner or an intermediate surfer looking for a coaching program, the best website to book your surf camp is www.booksurfcamps.com. This is where you can get the most reliable information about the surf instructors, weekly schedule, and general guidance.
2. If you are an experienced surfer and only need a place close to the waves, you can simply book your stay on www.booking.com.
Both websites are trusted and user-friendly, so you can feel comfortable using them for booking your surf camp in Portugal.
Essential Things You Should Check Before Choosing a Surf Camp in Portugal
Before choosing a surf camp in Portugal, it is vital to understand exactly what the camp provides, so don’t forget to check the following:
1. What is the student-to-instructor ratio during the surf lessons? The smaller the group is, the more personal guidance you will get from the instructor. Therefore, look for a ratio of 5 to 1 or less.
2. Are surfboard rentals provided by the camp, or must you bring your own surfboard? Also, can you use the camp’s equipment for practice on your own?
3. Are airport transfers included, or should you get there on your own? What about transfers to different surf spots during the camp?
4. Is the package all-inclusive, or should you pay for meals? If it is an all-inclusive, which meals are included and which are not?
5. How many surf lessons are included in the package each day? Is there a precise schedule?
6. What type of accommodations will you be staying at? Is it a private room or a dorm? How many people will you be sharing the room with?
7. Does the coaching program suit your skill level? Is there a separation between beginners and advanced surfers during the sessions?
8. Which qualifications do the surf instructors have? Are they certified? Remember, your safety is above everything.
9. Which coaching tools will be used during the camp? Is there a theoretical part? Video analysis? Enough practice time?
10. Are there any add-ons or additional services you should know about, or does the initial price of the camp cover everything?
Conclusion- Final Thought
In summary, these are the top surf camps in Portugal. Actually, it doesn’t matter which one of them you choose, as they are all good and offer pretty much the same things. What’s most important is your attitude toward the experience. Come open-minded to learn, practice, and make the best of it. You can improve your surfing drastically, meet new friends, and simply have fun.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out our post about the best beginner surf beaches in Portugal, or the one about the best surf resorts in Portugal.
