Check out our guide to the top five surf lessons in Peniche for 2024, which ferrets out the finest packages for those looking to get on the water in what’s arguably Portugal’s learn-to-surf capital.
Peniche is forever jostling with Ericeira for the crown of Portugal’s surf capital. We have to say, when it comes to learning and getting on the water for the first time, we think Peniche wins hands down. There are a lot of reasons for that – angle of the beaches, the ability to chase offshore winds in Baleal, the abundance of great bars – but it’s largely a case of just how many quality surf schools abound in the town.
These days, lots of folks will plump for a full-on surf camp in Peniche. That’s a good idea if you want a planned 4-day to two-week package with everything included. But it’s not for everyone. Perhaps you’re simply dropping by the town on a road trip and want to surf for a couple of hours. Maybe you’re staying here but just want to sample a bit of surfing.
Whatever it is, there are surf lessons in Peniche that can scratch that itch. They typically offer 30 mins to two hours of tuition on some of the most beginner-friendly beaches in the country, with rates that beat pretty much everywhere in Europe. Of course, not all are amazing. Some are, like our picks below…
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 just one part of our complete overall guide to surfing in Portugal
90-minute/2-hour surf lesson with G3Store Surf Center
Our number one recommendation for surf lessons in Peniche is a nod to the much-vaunted G3 Surf Center. This is essentially the all-round package that covers all the basics and does it really well. Sessions are between 90 mins and two hours, including everything from the tuition itself to the right surf gear to match your level.
G3 take out-of-water practice very seriously. Indicate that you’re a beginner and you’ll get the full thwack of instruction, from how to pop up to how to paddle, to more niche things that are just as important – we’re talking surf etiquette and how to navigate line ups.
Groups vary in size but there’s usually a pretty great instructor to student ratio, and they’re seasoned in teaching all ages and family groups. The location is also almost unbeatable for drive-in visitors to Peniche who just have a day or two, since the surf school is located right on the main road just off the roundabout coming into town. You don’t even have to drive into the maze-like old city to find it. Easy.
1.5-hour surf lesson with Baleal Surf Camp
The guys at Baleal Surf Camp offer a great 1.5-hour package that, more often than not, runs well over the advertised times. In fact, one of the main “complaints,” if you can call it that, is that the sessions are a bit too hefty for beginners. Our two cents? It’s better to have more than less, right? Better that you leave the water with aching arms and more surf experience under you belt, eh? That’s what you came for, after all.
You can look for the school right on the side of the main beach running south from Baleal town. It’s a great spot, arguably the very best in the whole of Peniche, because you get access to Baleal Beach Norte to the north if it’s really big, but the beginner-friendly rollers at the north end of Praia Baleal Sul are right on the doorstep.
The instructors here are well-versed in tailoring each session to your specific surf ability. They run classes for everyone from total beginners to l2 level, which is kinda’ low intermediate. They’ve got bags and bags of patience, plus the gear is solid quality, mostly foamies but also with a few smaller funboards if you do find yourself improving nice and fast. There’s parking just out front but try to get in there as early as you can because it will fill up!
2-hour private surf lesson in Peniche and Baleal with Special Surf 78
If you really want to home in on the technicals and improve certain aspects of your surfing, then a private surf lesson can be a good way to go. It’s basically a chance to ensure you get all the attention. It’s one instructor that focuses on you and only you. They’ll have their eyes on you on every wave, so can identify those mistakes and bad habits way quicker.
There are a few folks that offer these in the Peniche-Baleal area because it’s such a popular spot. We’ve seen plenty in the water and have to say, they’re hardly all top-quality. The guys at Special Surf 78 certainly are top-quality, just as their 5/5 star reviews show.
There’s a laser focus on improvement of the basics and the fundamentals. You’ll get a feel for all aspects of surf craft, from board angles to body weight distribution to wave choice. What’s more, for a price tag that’s actually not a huge amount above what it costs for a group lesson, this is a top choice for couples and solo travelers who want to see serious results.
2-hour surf lesson with West Surf Project
Although they’re actually based in the town of Caldas da Rainha slightly inland from the beaches of Peniche, the guys at the West Surf Project make the beaches north and south of little Baleal their playground when it comes to lessons. (Incidentally, that’s especially good news if you’re staying in Caldas da Rainha, because they also do free pickup and dropoff with transfers to the breaks.)
We’ve yet to see a school that’s more tailored to individuals as this. They run sessions that are perfectly calibrated to surfing levels, with more out-of-water instruction and etiquette training for the beginners and more technical pointers for intermediates.
Above all, the West Surf Project focus on making the whole thing very casual indeed. Lessons are fun, chilled, and full of laughs. They’d be one of our standout picks for newcomers to the sport and families.
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!
