The 11 Best Surf Camps in Portugal [2025]
This guide will run through the very best surf camps in Portugal. It’s curated by our team of surfers who’ve traveled the country extensively, from Nazare to Aveiro, Porto to the Algarve, all on the hunt for the finest surf stays going.
We’ll just go right out and say it: Not all Portuguese surf escapes are made equal. Some are A LOT better than others.
To put it another way, the last 10 years or so has seen an explosion in the number of surf camps on offer in this corner of Europe. That’s brought plenty of mediocre stays and a few seriously awesome ones.
We like the latter a lot better. Don’t you?
Well…that’s what this guide is all about. Our team is pretty Portugal mad, and we love to keep our pulse on what’s hot and what not in the surf-camp scene in this gem of Europe.
The good news is that Portugal has by far the best array of surf camps on the continent (Spain, incidentally, is a close second). That’s largely down to the booming numbers of people that come here to get on the waves for the first time, the variety of breaks on offer, and the long swell season (is there even an off season?).
Adding to all that is the relative accessibility of Portugal – there are airports in Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve – and the relative cheapness of it all – a stint here will set you back way less than it would in France, for example.
Anyhow, without further ado, let’s see the camps that made the cut for the coming season…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
>>This is a part of our complete guide to surf camps and our guide to surfing in Portugal
Quick-clicks to book our top-pick surf camps in Portugal
- The Salty Peniche [Peniche] – Probably our top pick in all of Portugal
- The Salty Ericeira [Ericeira] – The best beginner surf camp in Ericeira
- Laneez Ericeira [Ericeira] – Best for solo travelers
- Russo Surf Camp [Algarve] – The best in the Algarve
- Tiny Whale Surf Lodge [Algarve] – One of the most famous surf camps in Portugal
- Quinta Camarena [Alentejo] – Best for couples (and wine lovers!)
- The Salty Cascais [Cascais] – Best surf camp near Lisbon (also for yoga lovers)
- The Golden Wave Surf Lodge [Porto] – The best in northern Portugal
- Sagres Natura Surf Camp [Algarve] – Keeping it affordable
- Surf Cascais [Cascais]- Partying and surfing
- Balili Surf House [Peniche] – A fantastic small-group surf camp that feels like family
>>Need more inspiration? Plan your own DIY surf trip with our guide to the best surf hotels in Portugal. And for shoestring travelers, we also have a guide to the best surf hostels in Portugal
The Salty Peniche, Peniche
- Location: Peniche
- Our new top pick in Portugal for 2026
The Salty Pelican‘s brand spanking new lodge in Peniche wowed in 2023 and we still rate it as one of the most lovely surf-stays in the whole of Europe.
Bright and breezy dorm spaces and doubles fling open to 180-degree views of the water here. You can check the surf while still in your bunk.
Up above is a covered terrace space that would look right at home in Bali, with a palm tree sprouting up the side and big trestle tables for those evening beer-pong sessions.
We’d say that the flexible offering of gear rental and surf tuition here really lends itself to the beginner-intermediate end of the spectrum.
Then again, so does this part of Peniche itself, what with Baleal’s learner breaks 10 minutes’ walk to the north (Praia do Campismo is the local break, and it’s a cracker, with waves that increase in power and size the further south you walk. Think of it like a sliding scale to improve on!)
Where the The Salty Pelican Yoga & Surf Retreat in Peniche stands out for us is in its razor-sharp focus on what’s needed for nomad and beginner surfers. Their pad comes complete with fitness facilities, planned social event calendars, and – of course – stable, high-speed WiFi.
The 8-day package is the flagship, offering five days of guided surfing and, get this, UNLIMITED yoga sessions. Nice.
The Salty Ericeira, Ericeira
- Location: Ericeira
- Best for: Stylish accommodation (seriously, it’s lush)
Regular readers of The Surf Atlas will know that we’ve already got a bit of a soft spot for The Salty Pelican brand (Just check our top pick above!). They opened a nifty new outlet in our beloved Hiriketiya Beach down on the south shore of Sri Lanka back in 2020, and that caught our eye. Now we’re pleased to say that the classiness carries on over in their Portuguese iterations, too…
Just check out this incredible lodge. Perched high on a ridge above the red-tiled roofs of Ericeira, the pad is boho-cool from top to bottom. Inside, it channels a touch of the Mykonos taverna; a dash of the Balinese cabana. There are more wicker lights and hemp rugs than you can shake your Sagres beer at. AKA – the whole thing is super-comfy.
Head outside to the patio and you’ll be greeted by sweeping 180-degree views of the Ericeira coast. You can literally check the surf conditions while bobbing in the pool. The gardens also come armed with a BBQ grill and dining space that gets used every night for social occasions – think wine-tasting sessions and sourdough pizza parties alike.
They’ve designed an 8-day itinerary for 2025 that has all the things we really like about Salty Pelican offerings. First, there’s UNLIMITED yoga and UNLIMITED board and wetsuit rental. That brings a good flexibility to the schedule, so you can pack in more yin poses if you like, or head to the beach for more pop-up practise if you’re feeling energetic.
There are also 5x guided surf lessons and an outing to the nearby Sintra National Park for good measure.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Laneez Ericeira Surf House
- Location: Ericeira
- Best for: Solo surf trips
We’ve heard nothing but excellent things about Laneez since it first flung open its doors back in 2015.
Most reviewers say that it’s one of the most sociable surf camps they’ve visited, which is why we list it here as the best for solo travelers looking to make new pals. But, truth be told, it’s much more than that.
We also rank it among the top hostels for surfers in Portugal. And we’d say it’s one of the best overall stays in the surf mecca of Ericiera, which are big words because there are gazillions.
On top of that, we could probably just as well list Laneez for the quality of the surf lessons they offer.
Packages here are run by the seasoned duo of Miguel Ruivo and Mark Durbano, who together bring something like 60 years of surf experience to the table – Mark Durbano even competed with Team GB for a while. To put it lightly, you’ll be in VERY good hands in the water.
After sessions, you’ll return to a lodge that’s pure style. Offering a mix of dorms and doubles and suites, the whole place oozes style.
There’s a great medley of lively areas – the bar space and the terrace that overlooks the breaking Atlantic waves below (see the image above) – and chillout corners – the fire-warmed lounge and reading nook, especially.
2024 also saw them open up a second surf house that’s in the town center. It’s a bit more chilled, offering a five-bed dorm, a small pool, and a tennis court.
Russo Surfcamp
- Location: Vale Figueiras
- Best for: A trip to the Algarve – which is saying something because there are LOADS of cracking surf camps here!
The full 5 stars on Google, and 4.5/5 on Booksurfcamps.com after 113 reviews – that’s the plaudits that this small-scale camp gets. And boy does it deserve it. Last year, we elevated it to our top pick of all surf camps in the Algarve, and we’re standing by that for 2026 because it’s fricking, downright awesome.
It’s a classic week-long setup with daily surf lessons on all days except changeover days (that’s five throughout the week). But here they’re packing in 2x lessons every single day, which tots up to something ridic like 20 hours across the whole week. It’s as if they’ve figured out that people who go on a surf camp want to surf, surf, and surf.
They’ve got great teachers and an in-house course that can be tailored to complete beginners or even advanced surfers looking to nail down technical skills – cutbacks, reentries, swell chart reading etc. Basically, it’s a solid choice no matter what level you are.
The piece de resistance is the lodge itself. It’s a proper Algarvian villa set on a gorgeous hilltop with sweeping views. There’s a pool, a skate ramp, a BBQ, sunbathing areas. The food they serve is top-notch and the vibes – well, it’s just like being on vacation with mates.
Tiny Whale Surf Lodge
- Location: Algarve
- Best for: All levels of surfer
The Tiny Whale have been on this list for some time now. They’re doing things so damn well it’s hard to find anything amiss.
They’ve created a space that feels like a – and we know this sounds cliche but boy is it true – a home away from home, with ISA-certified surf coaches living alongside you and access to some of the best all-level beaches in the whole of Portugal.
The location is kinda’ PERFECT for both total beginners and intermediates who want a bit more of a challenge. See, the camp is sat inland in the Algarve, about equidistance between the well-protected south-facing beaches east of Sagres and the west-facing beaches around Arrifana and Carrapateira.
The upshot? There’s almost always a learner-friendly wave on offer in these parts but also lots of punchier swell if you want it.
We have to say, the lodge itself is a workd of art. The shell is a traditional Algarvian villa only it now brims with mod cons and cool design features.
The massive communal dining table is especially great for hosting all surfers at once. The pool, surrounded by a thick olive grove, is a cracking place to chill out after a session. Oh – and there’s a hot tub to boot.
They’ve now added in a couple of really cool garden cabin rooms plus some luxury bell tents to broaden out the accom offering, but have still kept group sized small so everyone feel like a family.
The 8-day package they offer includes surf theory, video analysis of surfing sessions, surf-skate, and daily yoga.
Quinta Camarena
- Location: Alentejo
- Best for: Couples and wine lovers
The highly personalized and intimate Quinta Camarena retreat is perfect for a couples’ surf holiday. It’s not really like the backpacker-orientated hostels that pack into the towns of Ericeira and Peniche.
It’s more refined than that, with a style that recalls the authentic country haciendas of old-world Iberia – think whitewashed walls, overhanging terracotta roofs, and wooden decks with views of the Alentejo forests.
Talking of Alentejo forests…this camp is actually about 30 minutes’ drive inland from the nearest surf beaches past Vila Nova de Milfontes.
That’s both a downside (you need to travel each morning for the surf lessions) and a plus (it’s quieter and more rural where you stay).
There are up to four lessons included in the stay, though surfing can be swapped out for daily yoga sessions if the conditions aren’t favorable.
Tuition is led by co-owner Cam Camarena, an LA native with experience surfing extensively in South America. We think a special mention should be made of the food here: The two daily meals are each excellent quality and come with wine to match.
The Salty Cascais, Cascais
- Location: Cascais
- Best for: Yogis and short surf camping near Lisbon
The third mention of The Salty brand (nee The Salty Pelican) on this list of the finest surf camps in Portugal means that EVERY SINGLE DARN ONE of their outlets is namedropped in our 2026 collection. That seems about right.
But the Cascais edition of The Salty is a touch different to its compadres up the Silver Coast. It’s more of an intimate surf camp, with the added style demanded of a place in Cascais, a glitzy town of casinos and jet setters and utterly gorgeous beaches right on the side of Lisbon.
Indeed, the place you stay is simply stunning. It’s an vintage townhouse come villa that sports elegant baroque stone balconies and pretty tile murals on the façade. A plunge pool big enough for a few lilos awaits in the chill-out garden. Inside is uber-cool, with stylish kitchen spaces and bedrooms throughout. We love it.
The focus shifts a little here to prioritise yoga a bit more over the surfing. That’s okay, especially when you get 2x yoga sessions each day, mixing in Vinyasa flow and restorative yoga with meditation.
Surf wise, the program is nicely laissezz faire. They basically give you a 2-hour lesson with an ISA-rated instructor and then rental for two full days on Guincho beach. It’s not a mega hands-on surf course like you get in some places, but really well suited to learners who like to go their own pace and lead their own progression.
It’s also very close to Lisbon airport, so perfect for jet-in surf camps that don’t require too much planning.
Golden Waves Surf Lodge, Porto
- Location: Ovar, near Porto
- Best for: The best surf camp in Porto
The Golden Waves Surf Lodge is a new one on our radar for this year but we’re already hearing very nice things about the team, the lodge itself, and the location.
This is northern Portugal, just south of the big city of Porto. The beaches here tend to hoover up a bit more swell than the south, the water is a bit colder, but the line ups are quieter. Come the summer, we rate it as a really great place to be for learning, because you won’t have to deal with the inevitable crowds that come with, say, Ericeira.
Golden Waves is located just outside of charming Ovar, near the beach of Praia do Furadouro. You can get there by train from Porto, or drive like 50 minutes from Porto Airport. It’s easy.
The setup is a purpose-built surf stay, with a pool, outdoor tennis courts, a football pitch, and a big garden filled with evergreens. They also have one of the best-equipped surf schools/rental facilities we’ve seen in the north.
Their main surf-yoga package includes six days of surfing in some of the region’s best spots (the guides always know where to go) and 8x yin yoga sessions. Breakfast, all surf gear, and access to a self-catering kitchen for evening meals (should you decide to cook) are also part of it.
Surf Cascais
- Location: Cascais
- Best for: Partiers
In a market filled with surf camps that preach chakra alignments and flow yoga sessions, it’s kinda’ refreshing to see one that lists “Lots of fun!” as one of the main features of their packages.
And that’s precisely what you can expect at this energetic camp in Cascais. It’s right in the middle of the famous resort town to the west of Lisbon, with a weekly calendar of events that includes camp dinners and BBQs.
Before we get to the parties, a word on the surfing. They do take this very seriously here and lots of past guests note the speed at which the practiced went from whitewash to green waves. That’s largely down to the fact that they limit groups to six people per instructor and are all run by experienced staff.
Ah, so…the parties. Things usually start after the day’s surfing is done around the pool side. There’s an in-house bar where you can grab cold beers. Later, the surf camp leaders and fellow guests will usually push onto Bocanero, a legendary tavern come party spot in the Cascais center.
Sagres Natura Surf Camp
- Location: Sagres
- Best for: Keeping it affordable
We’d say the Sagres Natura Surf Camp is the premier surf camp in Sagres, and a generally well-respected name across the southern Algarve as a whole.
Perfectly tailored for beginners and intermediate surfers, they’ve put together a thoughtful and well-rounded package that balances professional surf coaching with plenty of downtime to enjoy the stunning surroundings of the Costa Vicentina and the Algarve coast.
Each day includes a 2-hour surf lesson led by experienced and passionate instructors, focusing on technique, wave reading, and safety.
You won’t just surf the same break repeatedly either—Sagres Natura uses its prime location to explore a variety of surf spots along the Algarve’s south and west coasts, meaning you’ll get to experience a range of waves while escaping the more crowded beaches from Arrifana all the way to Luz.
The lodge strikes a comfortable balance between surf hostel vibes and cozy charm. Guests stay in clean and comfy dorm-style rooms (private rooms are available too), with communal areas designed for socializing and unwinding and a very nice garden just outside.
The price is hard to ignore. A whole week of surf tuition and lodging here will set you back less than $500.
Check prices and availability at the Sagres Natura Surf Camp
Balili Surf House
- Location: Baleal
- A fantastic small-group surf camp that feels like family
At Balili, the goal is to craft a boutique surf experience that showcases the laid-back cottage lifestyle of Portugal’s Atlantic coast.
Mornings begin with homemade breakfasts shared in the communal kitchen or cozy garden space, setting the tone for a day of adventure.
Surfing is, of course, the centerpiece, with lessons outsourced to the highly regarded Escola de Surf de Peniche – widely known as one of the top surf schools in the region. Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to refine your skills, their 4.9/5 Google rating speaks for itself.
Balili also adds a touch of wellness and social connection to the mix. Evenings often feature rooftop yoga sessions where you can stretch and unwind with panoramic views of the ocean.
Guests can also take part in a variety of curated experiences, from group dinners to walking tours of the nearby medieval town of Óbidos, a magical place known for its cobblestone streets and castle walls.
The whole thing is a small-group, boutique-feel camp that keeps things personal. By the end you kinda’ have the vibe that you’re all family.
They offer year-round surf packages that include 10x surf lessons, three dinners, daily breakfast, and even a SUP session. Alternatively, you can just book accommodation and sort you surfing classes when you arrive.
When’s the best time to do a surf camp in Portugal?
There’s never really a bad time to do a surf camp in Portugal. This part of Europe is so exposed there are waves all year round.
Generally speaking there are three times of the year:
- Winter – The biggest swells and wildest winds hit in winter. That can be great for chasing monsters. Not so good if you’re a learner looking to practice on mellow waves. Consider a surf camp in the Algarve if you come Nov-March, because those have access to the south coast beaches, where the swells are always several foot smaller than out west, making it a great learner region for the colder season.
- Spring/Autumn (April-May & Sept/Nov) – Our picks for the BEST time to do a surf camp in Portugal. These two seasons hit a happy medium between regular swell and warmer weather. The west coast is usually fine for most levels by April and it remains balmy enough to wear 3/2 (or laze on the beach between sessions) well into November. If we had to pick, the autumn would be the peak. We recently came back from an autumn surf trip to the Peniche region in 2023 and there was fine surf, light offshores, and warm weather all week, plus hardly any crowds.
- Summer – The summer is busy in Portugal and that’s true in the surf camps, too. It’s a great time of year for total learners, however, particularly at exposed beaches in towns like Arrifana, Peniche, and Ericeira, which all tend to work more than 50% of the days. Book early!
Where are the best surf camps in Portugal?
All over! Portugal has fantastic surf camp options from south to north, with good choices beckoning near Porto and near Sagres alike.
That said, there are a few surf towns in Portugal that have risen to become de facto hubs for surf camps. That’s happened for two reasons: 1) The main reason, because the town happens to have surf spots that really lend themselves to beginners (no one wants to learn in Nazare, eh? 2) Because word has spread fast and certain places are now seen as the place to go for surf camping.
There are arguments for and against going to the major towns. The upside would be access to tried-and-tested learner breaks, usually on sandy beaches (fewer hazards), and with a good supply of surf tutors who come specifically because that town is where they ply thier trade.
Here’s a look at the towns that are currently leading the way in Portugal when it comes to surf camps:
- Peniche – Peniche is probably joint first with Ericeira when it comes to sheer number of surf camps and surf schools, but this one just wins out for us because we think it’s the single finest place to learn to surf in Portugal. That’s mainly down to the protected beaches around Baleal, which have the unique ability to taper waves, so you have small ones at one end of the bay and then progressively bigger ones – great for improving.
- Ericeira – Often called the surf capital of Portugal, Ericeira certainly has plenty of camps. You’ll notice that most sit on the south side of the town. That’s cos the northern beaches are more reefy and better for advanced surfers. The camps here tend to be a touch more stylish and just a little pricier than Peniche, but the town of Ericeira is nicer and more traditional.
- The Algarve – We include the whole of the Algarve because it’s a prime place to come as a beginner, espeically in the winter when the big NW Atlantic swells are tearing a new hole for Portugal’s west-facing coast. There are some key hubs with lots of camp options, like Sagres, and it’s home to our top pick of the year, the Tiny Whale Surf Camp.
If you’re determined to stray a bit more off the beaten track and want camps that are quieter and more remote, not to mention waves and spots that aren’t so busy, be sure to check out places like Vila Nova de Milfontes, which hosts the fantastic new Rapture Surf Camp and makes the most of the Alentejo waves.
Becuase there are so many surf camps in particular towns in Portugal, we also do a series of specific town reviews to list the best camp options in the most popular spots. Check out…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
