Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 09:38 am
If you are looking for a surf camp in El Salvador, you came to the right place. In this post, we listed our top picks for a surf camp in El Salvador, where you can have the perfect surf vacation and improve your surfing skills.
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About El Salvador
Situated in Central America, El Salvador is a small country facing the Pacific Ocean. It offers about 300 KM of coastline with warm water, great nature, and amazing waves. It is known as “the land of right-hand point breaks”, so you can expect to ride some world-class waves.
When choosing a surf camp in El Salvador, there are several key factors to consider. The type of accommodation, transportation, location, and price are obviously important, but not as much as the level of the surf instructors and their coaching tools. Moreover, your current surf level and the kind of people you will meet are also things to take into account in order to make the best out of the experience.
So let’s get right to it, in detail; these are the most recommended surf camps in El Salvador:
A List of the Best Surf Camps in El Salvador:
Wayo Surf
El Tunco is a spectacular surfing area, with beautiful beaches and perfect waves, less than an hour’s drive from the Airport. Therefore, it is no wonder that some of the best surf camps in El Salvador are found here.
Wayo Surf promotes surfing and tourism in El Salvador in harmony with the environment and nature. It offers surf lessons for all levels of surfers in either English or Spanish. All instructors here are ISA (International Surfing Association) certified, and all surf lessons include transfers, equipment, and personal coaching.
For more details about surf camps in the El Tunco area, please click here.
Sunzal Surf Company
The right-hand point break at El Sunzal is one of the longest waves you will ever ride. It is soft, mellow, and suitable for all surfers, from beginner to advanced. Sunzal Surf Company offers beginner surf lessons and tours for experienced surfers with the highest level. The local instructors are not just experienced in teaching surf lessons. These guys are also competitive surfers who can drastically help intermediate surfers improve their skills. Usually, beginners practice with soft boards on the sandy beach, while intermediates practice on the main point. However, you can customize your program as you wish.
For more details about surf camps in El Sunzal, please click here.
Azul Surf Club
The East Coast of El Salvador is wild, authentic, and abundant with wonderful waves. It is also home to 2 of the best breaks in the country- Las Flores and Punta Mango.
Azul Surf Club provides quality surf instruction with certified coaches. Board rental is included with your lesson, so after the session, you can go out and practice on your own. Lessons are planned for the best conditions, depending on the waves, wind, and tide.
The surf program will aim to push you into the best surfer you can possibly be. If you already have some experience but want to take it to the next level, you will get the confidence to carve, turn, and even get barreled.
For more details about surf camps in El Salvador, please click here.
Surf Sister
Surf Sister in Punta Mango is definitely one of the best surf camps in El Salvador. Unlike the others, this one is for girls only. It encourages more and more women to try surfing and feel less intimidated and more empowered in a professional and supportive environment.
The 5-day program will hone your skills from a beginner to a confident surfer in a fun, safe, warm water environment. You will leave filled with enthusiasm and a solid understanding of the sport, having received the best tuition.
As they say, once you become a Surf Sister, you’re always a Surf Sister.
For more details about El Salvador surf camps, please click here.
Horizonte Surf Camp, El Zonte
El Zonte is a popular surf beach primarily because of its consistency. On the small days, when other spots are flat, you can always find something to ride on here.
Horizonte Surf Camp offers everything you need for a perfect surf vacation. From surf lessons for beginners to yoga classes, tours, and touristic activities, the camp will take care of all your needs with great joy.
For more surf camps in the area, please click here.
Purosurf, El Zonte
Purosurf Hotel & Performance Academy is all about living the dream. This boutique hotel is surrounded by fantastic nature and offers a super professional surf program for all skill levels. The academy provides all the equipment, facilities, coaching, and information necessary to learn, practice, and perfect your surfing as a holistic sport. You will learn the essential skills to become an independent surfer and to gain a deeper understanding of the sport and the ocean.
The camp has a different coaching program for beginners and advanced surfers, so choose your preferred one according to your level.
For more details about surf camps along the El Salvadorian Coastline, please click here.
Salty Souls, El Zonte
This camp is also for women only and operates in several locations in Latin America. It focuses on the love of the ocean, yoga practice, and personal growth. By learning from professional surf coaches, your improvement will be rapid and effective, allowing you to get a taste of the incredibly sweet sensation of sliding down a wave. The program includes one-on-one surf sessions, theoretical classes, photo analysis, board rental, and 1 surf-skate class.
For more surf camps in the area, please click here.
Las Flores Resort
The beautiful waves of Playa Las Flores break just in front of the hotel, making it a perfect place to learn surfing. Due to the quality of the waves, even novice surfers can experience the pleasure of having a 100-meter-long ride, which results in an accelerated learning curve because of the increased opportunity to maneuver on the waves. Moreover, Las Flores Surf Club instructors are all expert surfers and have spent many years guiding and instructing surfers of all ability levels, and they are intimately familiar with the waves of Las Flores.
The camp offers a separate surf program for each skill level, and surfboard rental is included in all the packages.
For more details about surf camps in the area, please click here.
Maya Surf Tours
Maya Surf Tours is based at La Libertad, only 30 minutes from the International Airport and in front of the perfect waves of Punta Roca. The vibe of this camp is all about surfing, having fun, and making new friends.
The surf school focuses on beginner and intermediate-level coaching. For advanced surfers, it also offers surf trips to the best breaks around.
The surf program comprises intense sessions focusing on technique, confidence, and personal feedback.
For more info about surf camps in El Salvador, please click here.
Los Mangos Hotel
Situated just in front of Punta Mango point break, Los Mangos Hotel is a surf paradise and one of the most prestigious surf camps in El Salvador. If hollow barrels are what you are after, this is the place to be. Experienced surfers can have the surf of their life out in the main point, and down in the line, over the sandy bottom, beginners can take some surf lessons. Therefore, regardless of your skill level, Los Mangos Hotel offers the ultimate surf vacation.
For more details about surf camps in the area, please click here.
K59 Surf Resort
K59 is another epic right-hand point break in El Salvador. The waves here are long and suitable for all skill levels. On top of that, it is not as crowded as other spots around, which means much more waves for you.
K59 Surf Resort does not offer structured surf coaching, so it is not the place for beginners. However, for intermediate surfers and above, this is one of the best locations possible for a surf trip.
For more details about surf camps in the country, please click here.
Why Do People Come to Surf Camps in El Salvador?
Going on a surf trip on some sunny beach in Central America is one of the best things a surfer can do for himself. There is no greater joy than leaving everyday life and dedicating a week or two to something you love. However, planning a surf trip can be quite a hassle, especially when you lack the necessary local knowledge. Tasks like booking hotels, finding restaurants, and knowing which surf spots to go to can be pretty exhausting.
This is exactly where a surf camp kicks in. By booking a surf camp in El Salvador, you basically take the annoying part out of the equation and focus only on the fun part. While the camp will take care of transportation, accommodation, meals, equipment, and surf lessons, you can simply enjoy your vacation time. In addition, surf camps in El Salvador are a great way to meet new surfers from all over the world.
What is the Cost of a Surf Camp in El Salvador?
When booking a surf camp in El Salvador, the cost should play a significant part in your decision. Luckily, you will find a great variety of camps and packages to suit any budget here. In fact, most of the surf camps in El Salvador offer great value for your money. What determines the cost of a surf camp are factors like the quality of the accommodation, number of days, number of surf lessons per day, seasonality, and additional services. Therefore, depending on your budget, you can customize the package that suits you best. In most cases, booking a surf camp in El Salvador will actually cost you less than it would be if you booked all services on your own. As for the numbers, a one-week package in a surf camp in El Salvador should cost somewhere between $300 to $1300.
Are Surf Camps in El Salvador Suitable for Beginners?
El Salvador offers a great variety of surf spots with waves that suit all skill levels. For instance, the waves in spots like Punta Roca can be extremely powerful, but in spots like El Tunco, you will find softer waves and a great environment for surfing lessons. Therefore, surfers of all skill levels can attend a surf camp in El Salvador. Moreover, the instructors in all the surf camps in El Salvador know exactly where to take their students in order to keep them safe and help them practice in waves that are suitable for their skills.
What Time of the Year is Best for a Surf Camp in El Salvador?
The coastline of El Salvador receives swells all year long. However, some months offer better surf and weather conditions than others due to heavy rains and swell consistency. For instance, between May and October, you can expect some massive and consistent waves, but this is also the rainy season. In contrast, from November to April, the sky is clear, and the sun always shines, but the waves are smaller.
To sum up, any time is a good time for a surf camp in El Salvador, just decide if you prefer bigger waves or nicer weather.
Which Location in El Salvador is Best for a Surf Camp?
Although there are many good surf beaches in El Salvador, these are the most recommended ones for a surf camp:
1. El Tunco- A world-class point break in the deep water and a beginner break just next to shore.
2. El Zonte- Magical town with consistent waves year round.
3. Punta Mango- An incredible surf spot for advanced surfers.
Essential Things You Should Check Before Choosing a Surf Camp in El Salvador
Before choosing a surf camp in El Salvador, it is crucial 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? In general, 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 should 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 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 cover everything?
How to Book a Surf Camp in El Salvador?
Once you choose your preferred surf camp in El Salvador, 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 you only need a place to stay 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 El Salvador.
Conclusion- Final Thought
To sum up, these are the top surf camps in El Salvador. In reality, it doesn’t really matter which one of them you choose, as they are all good and offer pretty much the same. What’s most important is your attitude. If you come open-minded to learn, practice, and make the best of it, you can improve your surfing drastically, meet great people, and have lots of fun.
Before you go, you might want to read our post about the best beginner surf beaches in El Salvador, or the one about surf resorts in El Salvador.
