5 Incredible Surf Camps in Ericeira [Updated 2026]

A town of World Surfing Reserve pedigree, Ericeira is probably among the top three surf towns in Europe, and no doubt one of the most famous surf towns in Portugal – probably the MOST famous.

Breaks like the barreling right of Coxos and the barreling left of Pedra Branca have put it on the map. They are truly world class. However, they’re also only one part of the story…

There’s something ridiculous like 10-15 other breaks stretching along the beaches that run south of the center. Those are perfect for learners and imrpovers alike, offering sand-bottomed beach breaks to start on and some of the most consistent deep reefs in Europe for when you progress.

The upshot? Ericeira isn’t just for tube-hungry pros on the WSL circuit. It’s fantastic for casual surfers and improvers, too, which is why there are now gazillions of surf camps to pick from.

Mhmm…They run the gamut from luxurious boho stays with top-notch tuition and swimming pools to backpacker-style hostels with budget packages. 

We’ve done plenty of due diligence over the last couple of years and have contacts on the ground who know the best camps of the lot. Our guide is updated every year, so you’ll always know you’re getting the hottest properties of the season. Let’s get started, shall we?

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>>This is just one part of our complete overall guide to surfing in Portugal
>>This is also a part of our complete guide to surf camps

Quick-click links to our top surf camps in Ericeira

• The Salty Ericiera – The best surf camp in Ericiera right now
• Laneez Ericeira – Best location (right on the coast – overlooking the surf)
• Moka Surfhouse & Yoga Retreat – Best small-group surf camp in Ericeira
• Hostel and Surfcamp 55 – Best budget surf camp in Ericeira
• Selina Boavista Ericeira – Best for solo travelers

Best all-round surf camp in town

Salty Pelican retreats come up time and time again in our best-of lists. There’s a reason for that. We think they strike just about the perfect balance between hands-on surf coaching and fun, all while still staying true to their roots as a youthful, energetic, posh-tel sorta’ stay.

Sound like what you’re after? Yea, us too.

Let’s focus on the property first.

It’s a design masterpiece, with wrap-around decks overlooking the red rooftops of Ericeira and garden space peppered with spiny cacti.

The pool flanks the building, offering ample space to soak up the rays and chillax between sessions. There’s also great food from the onsite kitchen and an all-day bar (the make mean margaritas, jus’ sayin).

This package includes five days of surf lessons that are run in house with the trademark quality of Salty Pelican equipment, typically on the more beginner friendly breaks to the south of town, including transport to and from them.

The yoga element is excellent, too – you get unlimited classes throughout the week, including meditation classes.

A stylish stay with incredible views

For a surf camp with a bit of style, look no further than the Laneez Ericeira Surf House.

Rated ‘superb’ by former guests, the lodge oozes style. Inside, flickering fireplaces give way to reading nooks with panoramas over the roaring Atlantic waves. There are double rooms with beautiful marine artworks, and lounge spaces that spill onto salt-washed balconies. 

This one’s bookable as standalone accommodation with breakfast. To add on surf lessons and gear rental, just rock up to reception when you arrive. They’ll help smooth everything out. You can also ask to join any number of other activities organized by the guides here, from outrigger trips to morning and evening yoga.

Oh yea, and the views from Laneez can hardly be beaten. We’d plump for this stay just for those!

BTW: We also have this one listed right up there among our top surf hotels in Portugal.

Best small-group surf camp in Ericeira

To alight your Zen centers and score some waves, we think the Moka Surfhouse & Yoga Retreat reigns supreme among Ericeira surf camps.

There are no uber-fancy room designs and slick infinity pools. Instead, the stay is a charming Portuguese townhouse with a cobbled garden and sun-kissed terraces.

The main highlights are the colossal yoga yurt and the onsite veggie-friendly kitchen, which serve taste-bud-tingling health foods for lunch and dinner. The hot tub ain’t bad after a big day on the sets either.

There’s a bit of a slackening off on the surf offering to fit in all the yoga that comes as part of the package. That means cutting your time on the waves down to three sessions of two hours each, though you’re free to crank that up in your spare time if you like.

That does allow for in-house mediation classes, pranayama yoga, and more – there’s a daily yoga class of at least 75 minutes. Guests also get one relaxing sports massage. Pretty good for the sub $610-ish price tag if you ask us! 

Best budget option

You can sum up why Hostel and Surfcamp 55 makes it onto this list in two words: Budget and volume of surfing.

Let’s start with the latter. You get a whopping 9x 2-2.5-hour lessons on this 7-day/6-night package.

That trumps almost all of the other mainstream surf camps in the town (and the rest of Portugal for that matter), and doesn’t even factor in all the free surfing you can do right on the doorstep – Praia da Baleia (also known as Praia da Sul) is a street or two away and has multiple all-level breaks.

Then we get to the price. For what can be over 22 hours of guided surfing in under 6 days, the price tag of $706 is a BARGAIN. I mean, it would be a frickin bargain if it was just for gear rental to be frank!

The trade off is that you’ll be staying in shared accomodation in a proper hostel atmosphere. It’s a good one, though; well-rated (think 9.9 on HostelWorld) for spaciousness and cleanliness and vibes.

Best for solo travelers

Selina Boavista Ericeira is one of the newest editions of the world-famous Selina brand and it’s smack dab in the heart of this Portuguese surf town – we’re talking like super-easy-peasy walking distance to all the main bars, cafes, and eateries.

They’ve gone and nailed that Selina style. The place has an edge of luxury yet manages to remain down to earth and bohemian.

We’d say the outdoors is the piece de resistance. From the leafy covered terraces where you can sit beside the cheese plants drinking coffee each morning to the small splash pool with its view across the town center, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Go inside and the vibes continue with understated dorm rooms that have curtained pod beds for extra privacy and big windows that offer sweeping panoramas of the central PT coast.

They organize surf classes here on site every single day so you just have to mosey down to reception to join up. They include rental gear and tuition and cost around $50 per person for a 2-hour session. There’s also plenty more, from climbing expeditions into the mountains to surf-skate lessons.

We say this: Selina is always a solid choice for surfers who like a bit of privacy and don’t want to run their trip to the strict schedule of a planned surf camp. Book this, go at your pace, do as many surf lessons as you like, and just enjoy the overall atmosphere.

Check prices and availability at Selina Boavista Ericeira

Ericeira is one of those places.

Basically, the breaks that lend themselves to beginners here are stretched over about 10-15 miles of gorgeous Portuguese coast, mainly to the south of Ericeira town itself.

If you went on a DIY holiday, you’d most certainly need your own rental car to explore them all in the same trip, and even then you might not know exactly how to reach each spot and when they work best.

Transfers to and from the wave is included in all of the camps we recommend below. That might seem like a small addition but it’s not to be sniffed at. It means you can just paddle out and paddle in and focus on your surfing; no need to navigating confusing bus schedules or fork out for a rental vehicle.

That’s taken care of by surf camps, who typically have in-house equipment. Most of the ones we highlight below allow unlimited use of their boards from the moment you check in to the moment you check out.

For beginners, the best times to join a surf camp in Ericeira are from late spring to early autumn (May through September). During these months, the weather is warm, the water temperatures are comfortable, and the waves are generally smaller and more manageable, making it an ideal setting for learning and improving your basic skills. There’s also a holiday vibe about the place that brings better nightlife and good conditions for the odd beach day.

For intermediate and advanced surfers, the prime time to hit the Portuguese coasts is during autumn and winter (October through February). This period offers the most consistent swell, with powerful waves and challenging conditions that can test and refine your surfing abilities. Regions like Ericeira, Peniche, and the Algarve are renowned for their excellent surf spots that cater to all levels. However, it’s important to respect the ocean’s power and ensure you’re well-prepared for the conditions you’ll face.