The Best Surf Spots and Camps for Surfing in the Algarve, Portugal

If you’re into water sports and outdoor adventure and you want to visit Portugal, you need to add surfing in the Algarve to your bucket list. The Algarve is Portugal’s southern coast and also the warmest place in Portugal.

It’s not a coincidence that people come from all over the world to go surfing in the Algarve.

Along this beautiful coastline, you can find amazing beaches, surf for every level, and constant sunshine that seems to always be there whenever you’re out on the water. With 300 days of sun per year, you can’t go wrong!

Surfing in the Algarve is the perfect place for all skill levels. That’s why places like Wavy Surf, Tiny Whale, The Surf Experience, and a few others are great places to go surfing.

Whether you’re going to learn for the first time or you’re ready to ride some killer waves, surfing in the Algarve has it all!

That’s why locals and travellers keep coming back to this little surf haven on Portugal’s southern coast.

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Everything you need to know about Surfing in the Algarve

When we talk about surfing in the Algarve we talk about the coast that goes from Faro in the east and all the way to the most western point which is the town of Sagres.

Sagres is a very famous surf town and where you can find Wavy Surf Camp which you’ll learn more about in a minute.

Between Faro and Sagres you can find a ton of good places to surf like Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, São Sebastiao, and some other small ones tucked away in between.

With great beginner places and also more advanced places to surf in the Algarve, literally any level of surfer can come to the southern coast and have an amazing time. 

The Algarve is also very laid back and the lifestyle is great if you enjoy spending time in the sun, surfing, good vibes, and friendly people. It really is a surfer’s paradise!

The best time to surf in The Algarve

If you’re looking for good, consistent waves, the autumn and winter months are the best times to visit and surf in the Algarve.

Thankfully, during the summer months, the ocean heats up and even during autumn and winter the ocean stays relatively warm. You do need to wear a wetsuit year round though!

From the start of September into late April you will get the most consistent and best waves in the Algarve.

It’s not going to be as warm as in the summer months but the surfing will be better. And even during the colder months (December through February), you can expect temperatures to be between 15-20 degrees Celcius.

Summer months are great for surfing in the Algarve too as the weather is amazing and holidays are in full swing but the surfing itself won’t be as good.

It will still be fun but you just won’t get those good consistent waves the same way you get them in the winter months.

The Best Places to Surf in the Algarve

There are actually quite a few good places to stay in the Algarve if you’re looking to surf and have a good time.

The nice thing is all these towns are located right on the coast so you will have easy access to the beaches. From west to east, here are the best towns when it comes to surfing in the Algarve. 

Surfing in Sagres

Sagres is one of the best places to surf and be surrounded by other surfers and travellers.

Wavy Surf Camp is a prime example of what you can expect in Sagres. A beautiful glamping site located right inside a natural park in Sagres. 

It’s the perfect place to go to be surrounded by like-minded people as the town of Sagres is full of surfers of all levels. If you’re just starting out or want to practice your skills then Sagres is the place to do that.

Surfing in Praia da Luz

Praia da Luz is one of the coolest beach and surf towns in the Algarve. The winter swells from the north is when the surf really comes alive in Praia da Luz.

It’s good for beginners and intermediate surfers who want to get more comfortable on the board. 

The summer months when the sun is shining and the beach is packed with tourists suntanning and playing in the sand is also a good time for beginners to try out the smaller waves.

Surfing in Lagos

Lagos is a convenient place to surf since the surf is right next to the city. But that also brings lots of traffic in the ocean with tourists and surf schools taking up quite a bit of room! 

Lagos has two main areas where you can go surfing which are Praia de Porto de Mós and Meia Praia which are both decent places to surf. 

When it comes to surfing in the Algarve, Lagos has never been known as the best place to surf. At least not directly in Lagos. The thing Lagos has going for it is that it’s got amazing surfing a short drive away in both directions (east and west).

Lagos is a great place to just try riding a board for the first time but if you want to really surf then some of these other surf spots will be better for you.

What Lagos is really good for though is all the beautiful beaches, the coastal walk to Ponta da Piedade, boat tours, and all the other fun things to do in Lagos.

Also read: 8 Beautiful Beaches in Lagos You Need to Visit

Surfing in Portimão

Portimao is known for one beach in particular and it’s Praia da Rocha. In the south of Portimao, you can find Praia da Rocha and it’s the place to go when it comes to surfing in this area.

Praia da Rocha is known for having epic barrels when the waves are peaking — especially in the winter months.

The further right you go down the beach you will also find good spots for beginners as well. Portimao is a great place to surf and relax with such a big and beautiful beach.

Surfing in Albufeira

The old town of Albufeira used to be known as a fishing village and over the years it has turned into a popular holiday and surf destination in the Algarve.

Albufeira is super chilled and an easy place to learn to surf. You’re not going to get those wild waves like you get in other parts of the Algarve so it’s a great spot for beginners. 

The best part about Albufeira is that you’re going to be surrounded by other people trying surfing for the first time and it’s most likely only going to be teachers and beginners out there. And If you don’t feel like surfing you can always kick it at some of the best beaches in the Algarve, right here in Albufeira.

Surfing in Faro

Surfing in Faro is great for beginners who want to get a taste of what it’s like surfing in the Algarve. The waves are super friendly and easy. On good days, Faro is one of the best places for beginners to learn to surf. 

Faro is great since it’s also right next to the Faro International Airport so you don’t have to go far at all to be next to some beautiful beaches to surf at.

If there’s one thing to know about the Algarve is that the beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. 

Wherever you go you’ll find beautiful golden sand beaches and Faro is a prime example of that.

The Best Surf Camps in the Algarve

When it comes to surf camps in Portugal and the Algarve in specific there are quite a few options to pick from but a few of them really stand out to us.

Location, community, and the surf are some of the main things we look at when finding the best surf camps in an area.

In this post, we’ve highlighted the ones we think are the best surf camps in the Algarve, especially for beginners and where the community vibe is great.

There are lots to pick from (which is one of the reasons why this part of Europe has become such a popular surf destination) but these ones really stood out to us.

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Wavy Surf Camp Portugal in Sagres

Sagres is as far west as you can possibly go in Portugal and one of the coolest places along the Algarve. The sunsets are absolutely incredible in Sagres and the surfing is just as good! 

Some people even say Sagres is the epicentre of surfing in the Algarve where you can surf every day of the year. Like most places in Portugal, you can find surfing for every level in Sagres.

Wavy Surf Camp is located in a natural park right on the edge of Sagres and right next to the ocean.  This cool unique surf camp is somewhat of a glamping experience where you say in fancy tents. A pretty unique experience if you ask us!

The nice thing about this is that even though it’s a glamping-style experience it’s actually quite affordable and cheaper than quite a few of the other surf camps in Portugal!

Pros about Wavy Surf Camp:

• Surf levels for everyone
• Good vibes
• Unique experience
• Located inside a natural park
• Cheaper than most surf camps
• Amazing weather
• West and South coast for 365 days of surfing a year

Downside to Wavy Surf Camp:

• A bit of a drive to any big city
• It’s a glamping experience and that may not be for everyone
• 1.5 hours from Faro airport and 3 hours from Lisbon

Algarve Surf School in Sagres

You probably know this by now but Sagres is the place to be when it comes to surfing in the Algarve. Also, Sagres is where you can find a lot of the surf schools and camps in the Algarve so this proves that it’s a great place to spend a week or two surfing. 

Algarve Surf School is awesome too in the sense they’ve been around forever (25 years) and they really do attract the friendliest people. You’re sure to meet some amazing new friends if you stay at the camp for a week or two. 

On top of the community aspect at Algarve Surf School, you’ll have an awesome time surfing and riding the waves in Sagres. Beginner or pro, it’s a great place to surf in Portugal. There’s no doubt that by the end of the trip, you’ll come out a better surfer.

Pros for Algarve Surf School:

• Surf levels for everyone
• Nice accomodation
• Great sunsets
• Surfing all year round
• Delicious food

Downsides to Algarve Surf School:

• Not that close to any city
• 3-hour drive from Lisbon airport

Future Eco Surf School in Portimão

The future is eco-friendly, and so is the Eco Surf School in Portimão. While this isn’t a surf camp, it is too good not to include it in this list.

They offer many eco-friendly tours with their main focus being on surfing and with 22 years of surf teaching experience, you can’t go wrong with this place.

Eco Surf School offers a variety of different surf lessons such as group lessons on the south coast of the Algarve as well as the west coast.

These lessons are either 1.5 hours or 3 hours so you can select how long you’d like to go for. It is also possible to get both private surf lessons and a private coach for a smaller group.

They even have a monthly subscription!

Pros for Eco Surf School:

• Sustainable and eco-friendly approach
• Beginner friendly
• 22 years of experience
• Has an eco-shop with cool gear and accessories
• Rentals available for as little as €10 a day

Downsides to Eco Surf School:

• No accommodation provided

If you wish to learn more about Eco Surf School’s sustainable approach, you can read more here.

Oasis Surfcamp Portugal in Lagoa

Oasis Camp is a surf school for those who love being active! This surf school doesn’t only offer daily surf lessons but also access to yoga classes, mountain bikes, cross fit, and much more.

There’s never a dull moment here (so make sure to schedule in a rest day for yourself if needed😉).

From the surf school, you have access to many different beaches such as Aljezur (which is a very popular spot on the west coast), Amado, Sagres, Raia de Rocka, and many others.

What makes Oasis Camp unique from other surf camps is the fact that surfing and accommodation are bought separately. This means you can decide how much you want to surf!

Accommodation starts from as little as €20 a day and surf equipment can be rented from €45 a day. You can also buy surf packages with 2 daily lessons, beach transfer, and surf rental.

Pros for Oasis Camp:

• Pretty much everything is included in the price
• Good variety of accommodations offered
• Free access to mountain bikes
• Yoga sessions available (included)
• Very affordable accommodation (surf lessons are on top)

Downsides to Oasis Camp:

• Very catered toward Germans
• A bit of driving to some of the surf spots
• Food is not included in your stay

Bonus: Lapoint Surf Camp in Alentejo

This is one of two Lapoint locations in Portugal! The Lapoint Ericeira location is up on the Silver Coast of Portugal and this location is down close to the Algarve.

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.

So while this isn’t actually in the Algarve, it’s too good not to be mentioned.

This is probably the most chilled-out surf camp in the Algarve since you’re not close to any cities and the surf camp itself isn’t that big.

Lapoint Alentejo is a great place if you want to really learn how to surf and connect with people as it’s almost like a small family at the Alentejo location.

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 and all year around. 

Pros about Lapoint Alentejo:

• Surf levels for everyone
• Relaxed vibes
• Beautiful part of Portugal
• Amazing weather
• Surfing all year around

Downsides to Lapoint Alentejo:

• Not that close to any city
• 2 hour drive from Lisbon airport

Other related questions about surfing in the Algarve

Is the Algarve good for surfing?

Yes, the Algarve is great for surfing and with towns like Sagres, Portimão, and Albufeira you will experience some of the best surfing along Portugal’s southern coast. 

Are there waves in the Algarve?

Yes, especially during the winter months the Algarve can produce some incredible waves that are pushed down from the North Atlantic. During the summer months, the waves are smaller in the Algarve but you’ll be surprised at how nice some of the waves are in the winter.

Can you surf on the south coast of Portugal?

Yes, the surfing along Portugal’s south coast is great, especially in the winter. Portugal’s Silver Coast (west coast) is more famous for the surf but the south coast (Algarve) is also a wonderful place to surf.

Is Lagos Portugal good for surfing?

Lagos is a fine place for surfing if you’re a beginner and want to get a taste of surfing. Most regular surfers do say that there are plenty of better spots to surf near Lagos than actually in Lagos itself. 

Lagos is a good place to stay in the Algarve and close to lots of good surfing like Sagres but Lagos itself isn’t the best place – especially since there are better options nearby!

Does Portugal have good surfing?

Portugal is known for its amazing surfing! The largest wave in the world was actually surfed in Nazaré. When thinking of surfing in Portugal there are so many great coastal towns like Peniche, Ericeira, Porto, and Sagres!

Can beginners surf in Portugal?

Yes, beginners can absolutely surf in Portugal and it’s a great country to learn how to surf. Most good surf spots in Portugal have areas that are perfect for beginners so you’ll see surf camps and schools tailored specifically for beginners all over the country. 

You may also like…

• 5 Awesome Boat Tours to do in Lagos, Portugal
• Top 20 Things to do in Lagos, Portugal
• The Best Ways to Get From Lisbon to Lagos
• The Ultimate Guide to Ericeira, Portugal
• 8 Cities Along Portugal’s Silver Coast You’re Going to Love

Recap of the Best Surf Spots and Camps for Surfing in the Algarve

From the best surf spots to surf camps in the Algarve and then all the info about the best time to surf in Portugal and all that we hope you enjoy Portugal.

The country is great and the Algarve is the warmest part of the country with great surfing. 

Don’t forget to stop by Sagres and some of the other coastal surf towns in southern Portugal!

Remember, winter months are better for surfing but the summer is full of good weather and awesome vibes! There really is no bad way to go surfing in the Algarve.

We hope you have the best time surfing in Portugal and feel free to reach out to us on Instagram or leave a comment below if you have any questions about surf camps or surfing in the Algarve in general. 

Have an amazing time surfing in Portugal and let us know where you end up going!