5 Epic Surf Camps in Portugal

As you probably already know Portugal is quite the surf mecca of Europe! But one thing you may not know is that the surf camps in Portugal are some of the best we’ve ever experienced. With companies like LaPoint, Dream Sea, and Pure that have camps at some of the best surf beaches in Portugal, you’ll have plenty of options to pick from.

When it comes to places to surf in Portugal you have a ton of good spots around the Algarve down south. Then there are the Silver Coast oastal cities on the west coast like Ericeira, Peniche, Nazare, and Porto. And let’s not forget about the beautiful Costa da Caparica just south of Lisbon!

When it comes to surf camps in Portugal you really have a fair share to pick from. We’ve been to Lapoint’s Surf Camp in Ericeira and it was one of the best weeks of our lives!

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5 Epic Surf Camps in Portugal worth checking out

When it comes to looking for and booking a surf camp in Portugal there are a few things to keep in mind before picking the right place. There are plenty of surf camps in Portugal so there are enough to pick from! So in this post, we’ve highlighted what we feel are the top of the top.

Before we dive in, let’s first look at some of the different criteria and things to consider…

All of these things are good to consider when booking a surf camp. Keeping these in mind helped us narrow down the best surf camps in Portugal. We’ve only been to Lapoint Surf Camp in Ericeira but with some research and knowledge from friends and other surfers, we’ve created this list of 5 surf camps to visit in Portugal.

#1 Lapoint Surf Camp in Ericeira

We spent a week surfing and coworking at Lapoint in Ericeira and it was one of the best weeks of our lives. Maybe we got lucky with the people we met that week, or maybe we got lucky with the surf conditions. Maybe it was a combination of everything – but it was so much fun!

Lapoint is great because it is set up for every level of surfer. Before the camp even starts you’re put into groups based on your surfing experience and then get assigned a small group and a surf teacher based on your skill level. If you make a lot of progress throughout the week, they can move you to a different level.

The surfing in Ericeira is awesome and Ericeira is actually Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve. Most of the year, the west coast of Portugal has incredible weather. 

At Lapoint in Ericeira you get up every morning to a delicious breakfast buffet with healthy food, fresh fruit, cakes, juice, and coffee. After breakfast, you likely have your surf session unless the wave forecast tells you differently. There are also plenty of activities which included yoga and day trips to a vineyard and Sintra. 

The staff at Lapoint is awesome and the whole experience made for one of the best surf weeks we’ve ever experienced. We can’t praise Lapoint enough.

#2 Peniche Surf Camp Portugal in Peniche 

Most pros say Peniche has the most consistent good surfing in Portugal all year round. Peniche is a coastal city along Portugal’s Silver Coast and the main reason people come to Peniche is for the surf. So if you decide to go here, you’ll be surrounded by surfers and good people the whole time!

The best part is that Peniche surf camp is located within walking distance from all levels of surfing which you really don’t find in many places. 

Like with most surf camps, you can expect a good vibe at Peniche with a recreation room right next to the accommodations where you can hang out, play ping pong, or just chat with friends over a beer.

One thing we really like about Peniche Surf Camp is the variety of accommodation they have available. You can get a private room or a shared room on site, or you can get your own apartment which is still connected to the surf camp.

If you feel like you want to surf even more than what’s included in the surf camp package you can always take a board out and cruise the waves by yourself. You can almost always expect good waves in Peniche and that’s why people from all over the world come to this little town along Portugal’s Silver Coast.

#3 Wavy Surf Camp Portugal in Sagres

The Algarve Coast may be the most beautiful area in mainland Portugal with golden sand beaches and awesome weather all year around. Sagres is this cool little town in the most southwestern part of mainland Portugal. You can imagine the sunsets here. They’re pretty epic!

Wavy Surf Camp is a super cool unique surf camp where you actually stay in tents. It’s a full-on glamping experience which is pretty unique and cool. The nice thing about this is that even though it’s a glamping style experience it’s actually quite affordable and even cheaper than most other surf camps in Portugal.

When it comes to surfing, Sagres is the epicentre of surfing in the Algarve where you can surf every day of the year. What makes Sagres great for everyone is that there are beaches with surf for every level. From beginners to advanced you’ll find waves perfect for you.

Wavy truly is what surfing in the Algarve is all about. It’s one of the warmest and most beautiful areas in Portugal for good reason. The surf is for everyone from beginner to advanced. All around the Algarve is just a beautiful place to be and surf.

Fun fact: The Sagres Beer is from here so if the name sounds familiar, that’s why!

#4 Lapoint Surf Camp in Alentejo

Lapoint Alentejo is Lapoint’s second location in Portugal and this one is on the other side of Lisbon. Two hours south of Lisbon, you can find the Alentejo region of Portugal. It’s known as the “Tuscany of Portugal” with beautiful rolling hills and a stunning coastline.

This is probably the most chilled-out surf camp in Portugal out of the ones that made the list here. It’s not located close to any major cities or anything. Most people come to Alentejo to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet next to the coast. 

You can expect a lot of sunshine, yoga, relaxation, and of course good surfing. Portugal is known for surfing and the Alentejo region is no different with good surf for all levels all year around. 

The Alentejo location is much smaller than Lapoint’s camp in Ericeira as well. You’ll still have that community aspect but it won’t be on the same scale as Ericeira and you’ll have time to really get to know people more here. Both camps are awesome in their own ways; it just depends on what you’re looking for.

#5 Linha de Onda Surf Camps in Porto

Linha de Onda is the most northern surf camp in Portugal on this list. Linda de Onda surf camp is right on the coast next to Porto and the accommodation is actually right in the heart of Porto. 

This is the perfect place if you’re looking for a balance of surfing and city life because you have Porto right at your doorstep. You’ll have a good balance of people who are there for the surf and people who want to surf and also explore Portuguese culture. 

You can definitely expect some good vibes and the opportunity to make some friendships at this camp as everyone’s staying at the hostel dorms. Many people rate it as one of the best surf camps in northern Portugal.

Check out their reviews on Tripadvisor here!

Other related questions to surf camps in Portugal

Are surf camps worth it?

Yes, surf camps are worth it if you want to surf with other people and have teachers help you to improve your surfing skills. Especially if you’re new to surfing it’s really nice being surrounded by people who are at the same level as you. 

The community aspect and the activities and hanging out with people outside of surfing is also one of the many perks of going to a surf camp. We’ve been to a few ourselves and absolutely loved it!

What is the best surfing beach in Portugal?

A thing we love about Portugal is that you can find amazing surfing beaches all around the country. So to pick just one it’s quite hard. Many people say Ericeira, Peniche, and Nazare are all amazing places to surf. There are less busy and touristy places that are good for surfing as well.

Can beginners surf in Portugal?

Yes, Portugal is awesome for beginner surfers. Ericeira, Peniche, and Nazare all have amazing beginner surf spots and so does the Algarve and almost every area of Portugal. You’ll find plenty of beginner surf spots in Portugal. 

How do I choose a surf camp?

Every surf camp is going to be different based on price and experience so what we would first look at is where it’s most convenient to fly into and then see what surf camps are near that airport. From there you can narrow it down. This makes it much easier to pick which surf camp you want to go to.

Are there sharks in Portugal?

Yes, there are sharks in Portugal. It’s not one of the most known places for shark sightings but in most places where you surf, you will almost never see sharks. It’s very rare. We have spent 5 months in Portugal and have never seen a shark.

Is it safe to surf in Portugal?

Portugal is generally a safe place in and out of the water. Most locals in Portugal are quite friendly and the surf spots in most places are quite safe especially if you look at the weather beforehand. If you aren’t an experienced surfer we always recommend going to a surf camp for surfing or at least get some lessons with a surf coach. This makes it a lot safer.

Where is the biggest surf in Portugal?

When talking about the biggest surf in Portugal it’s Nazaré which has the record for the biggest waves. And not just in Portugal. Nazaré actually holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed! The record was made back in 2020 when a professional German surfer rode the 86ft wave at Praia do Norte beach in Nazaré.

There are also rumours that António Laureano surfed a 101.4 foot wave in Nazaré in 2021 but this hasn’t been confirmed officially yet.

Do you need a wetsuit to surf in Portugal?

Yes! In Portugal you need to wear a wetsuit pretty much year round when surfing. The weather might be hot but the water never really gets hotter than 22°C. A 2-3mm wetsuit will do it for the majority of the year. In the winter months, you might want to consider a 5mm wetsuit.

You may also like…

• Everything You Need to Know about Coworking and Surfing at Lapoint, Ericeira
• The Best Surf Spots and Camps for Surfing in the Algarve, Portugal
• 5 Epic Beaches in Ericeira You Need to Visit
• A Full Week Surfing at Lapoint, Ericeira
• 20 Fun Things to Do in Ericeira, Portugal

Recap of the best surf camps in Portugal

There are a lot of surf camps in Portugal and we did our best to narrow it down to 5 different and unique surf camps around the country. Each surf camp is somewhat different but what they all have in common is some awesome surfing no matter your surf level. 

The weather in Portugal is usually really good which makes it even better and these surf camps are designed to bring people together and enjoy the best of Portugal and the surf.

If you have any questions about our experience at Lapoint Surf Camp Ericeira or about surf camps in Portugal in general then feel free to reach out to us. You can DM us on Instagram or leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you! 🙂

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