Planet Surf Camps Portugal and surf schools

We offer you two surf camps in Portugal. Our surf camp in Costa da Caparica is addressed to all the surfers over 18 and offers best conditions for perfect surf holidays in Portugal. With 300 sunny days a year, a 30-kilometre-long sand beach and the proximity to Lisbon Costa da Caparica is the all-season surfing hot spot in Portugal. You'll get accommodation, meals and daily surf lessons here. When there are no lessons you're free to rent surf equipment or take part in the many exciting activities inside and outside the surf camp. You are accommodated in our surf camp on the cliffs of Costa da Caparica during the most beautiful time of the year. The beach is only three minutes away by car so you won't lose time on the way to surfing or to beach activities.

Our second surf camp is in the world-famous region Peniche. You can choose between two locations. The first location is right in Peniche where WSL's MEO Rip Curl Pro takes place every year. Here you live in very neat apartements on the peninsula Baleal which is close to the small fishing town Peniche and the surf spots. The second location is Santa Cruz/ Praia Azul. Our camp is in a 3 star hotel on the dunes of Santa Cruz. From the dune, you have a stunning view on the sea and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. But there's not only the beauty of nature. In only 45 minutes you're in the fascinating world city Lisbon. Even more culture to experience you'll find in the wine town Torres Vedras which is 15 minutes away from the surf camp and in the historic Óbidos which is 30 minutes away.

Peniche or Costa da Caparica? What the places have in common are consistent conditions all year long and fantastic waves. As a surfer, you shouldn't worry about the swell - Portugal takes care of it. The country with its long coast line is made for surfers!

Surf spots in Portugal

Surfing in Minho und Douro

Vila Praia de Âncora

Vila Praia de Âncora, alternatively called Gelfa, is a long sandy beach with several right and left breaks. Vila Praia de Âncora is a suitable location for absolute beginners to catch their first wave. But also the more experienced surfers will find some fun breaks on this lengthily beach. A north-west swell and easterly wind works best here. Vila Praia de Âncora works at all tides and the swell is 1 – 8 ft.

Azurara

At Azurara beach (sometimes spoken of as Praia de Arvore) there are two main breaks. There is a left-hand beach break at the beach’s centre and a right-hand river mouth break on the right of the beach where the river is. The left-hand beach break works more consistently than the river mouth break does. Azurara works best at mid to high tide, with a south-west swell and a north easterly wind direction. The swell range here is 2 – 8 ft, and this beach is good for all surf levels, although there are some rocks on the seabed to be wary of.

Leça da Palmeira

Leça da Palmeira has very consistent waves and you will find both rights and lefts on this peaky beach break at all tides. Leça works best on an easterly wind and a westerly swell. Swell height on this sandy break is 1 – 8 ft. Beginners can learn here but all surfers should be mindful of the rocks.

Esposende

Esposende is yet another sandy beach break in the region of Minho and Douro with rights and lefts where all levels of surfer can gain more experience in the water. Esposende works best on a mid or high tide with a westerly swell, and easterly wind direction. The swell here ranges 1 – 6 ft.

Afife

Afife is regularly described as a less crowded Supertubos. The break of Afife offers plenty of barrels for advanced surfers. You will find both rights and lefts here and a swell of 2 – 10 ft. Afife works its best with an easterly wind, south-west swell, and at low to mid tide. Afife is a pretty consistent break and surfers searching for the larger waves should head towards the southern end of this beach break.

Surfing in Beira

Cabedelo

Cabedelo is a right hander and was previously a stop on the World Tour. At Cabedelo, rights peel off a jetty, with fast and powerful waves. Cabedelo works best on a low to mid tide, a north-west swell and a north-easterly wind. All levels of surfer can have fun at Cabedelo, with swells of 2 – 10 ft.

Praia de Mira

Praia de Mira is a sandy beach break that can be enjoyed by all levels of surfer. Praia de Mira works better when the tide is high, with a north-west swell and an easterly wind direction. The swell here is 1 – 6 ft.

Furadouro

The jetties at Furadouro form good rights and some decent shorter lefts. There is 1 – 8 ft swell at this sandy break. Furadouro works best on a low to mid tide, easterly winds, and a westerly swell. Furadouro is suitable for all levels of surf experience.

Praia da Barra

Another popular break in the Beira area is Praia da Barra, and it is a good spot for beginners to learn at. Praia da Barra works at all tides and the waves break off the sandbar onto a sandy seabed. With a south-west swell and easterly wind Praia da Barra is at its best. Swell range here is 2 – 8 ft. Praia da Barra is a classic break of the Beira region.

Praia do Norte

Praia do Norte which is close to the village of Nazaré is a beach break famous globally for its big wave surfing. Thus, this break is only suitable for surfers of a professional proficiency. The waves here can be huge, record breakers reaching well over 70 ft. However, on the average day the swell size is typically 3 – 20 ft. The powerful waves of Praia do Norte work best on an Easterly wind, and a Western swell.

Surfing in Peniche

Santa Cruz

The beach breaks of Santa Cruz are a great spot for beginners to learn. Working at all tides, the left and right breaks of Santa Cruz are best when there is an easterly wind and a north-western swell. The swell here is 2 – 8 ft.

Praia Azul

Praia Azul is a beach break, that breaks with both rights and lefts. This break works best at mid tide, with easterly wind, and north-western swell. The swell height at Praia Azul is 2 – 8 ft. Praia Azul is great for all levels of surfer, although novice surfers should avoid the submerged reef at the beach’s northern end.

Praia de Areia Branca

Praia de Areia Branca is a sandy beach break suitable for all levels of surfer. Here you will find lefts and rights no matter the tide height, and 2 – 8 ft swell within a relatively uncrowded environment. To work its best, Praia de Areia Branca needs easterly winds and the swell to be in a westerly direction.

Lagide

The left-hand reef break of Lagide is a consistent spot in the Peniche region for the more experienced of surfers. Lagide works best at low to mid tide, when there is a south-easterly wind, and north-west swell. There is 2 – 10 ft swell at this rocky reef.

Supertubos

For the professional surfer, there is Supertubos as one of Portugal’s most famous waves. A stop on the World Tour Surf Championship, Supertubos is renowned for its heavy, long tubes. The lefts here are long, but there are also shorter rights off the main peak. Subertubos has a sandy seabed and is working its best with a south-western well and north-easterly winds at mid tide. There’s a 3 – 10 ft swell height.

Surfing in Ericeira

Praia da Foz do Lizandro

Praia da Foz do Lizandro or ‘Foz’ for short is a river break with a sandy seabed. Multiple peaks give rise to both lefts and rights and the swell range is 2 – 8 ft. This spot works best at low to mid tide, with easterly winds, on a south-west swell. The waves in Foz are pretty consistent and this is a suitable spot for all abilities, from the absolute beginner to the pro.

São Julião

São Julião is a beach break that works at all tides with both lefts and rights. This popular spot works best with easterly winds and westerly swell. The swell height at São Julião is 2 - 8ft and is a suitable break for beginners.

Praia de Ribiera d’Ilhas

The right-hand reef break of Ribiera d’Ilhas is probably Ericeira’s most famous. This break works best with easterly winds and a north-west swell, regardless of the tide height.  Swell range is 2 – 12 ft. Ribiera d’Ilhas is popular for its barrels and is a stop on the WSL World Tour Surf Championship. This right-hander is suitable for both intermediate and advanced surfers.

São Lourenço

São Lourenço is a right-hand reef break that works best at low to mid tide, with easterly winds and a north-west swell. The swell range here is 6 – 18 ft.  São Lourenço is one of Portugal’s famous big wave breaks and as such is best suited to advanced surfers.

Coxos

Coxos is a right-hand reef break with plenty of power and is well-known for its heavy barrels. This spot works best at low to mid tide, with easterly winds, on a north-west swell of 4 – 12 ft. Due to strong rip currents, a difficult entry and exit and the power of the break, Coxos is only suitable for experienced surfers.

Surfing in Lisboa

Praia do Guincho

Praia do Guincho is one of the most consistent breaks of the Lisbon region. It’s a sandy beach break and works best at low to mid tide, with a north-westerly swell and an easterly wind. The swell size at Praia do Guincho is 2 - 8 ft, with right and left breaks. Praia do Guincho is a suitable break for beginners.

Carcavelos

One of Portugal’s first surfing beaches, the beach break of Carcavelos delivers both left and right breaks. Carcavelos works at all tides, but best on a South Western swell and a north easterly wind. The swell range is 3 - 10 ft, and all levels of surfer can enjoy this very popular break.

Costa da Caparica

The beach of Costa da Caparica stretches nearly 30 kilometres. Given its length you can pretty much always find a spot in Costa da Caparica that’s working and along its length you’ll find several different left and right beach breaks. However, generally the waves are best on an easterly wind and a south-west swell. The several groynes at the northern end of Costa da Caparica give the sand bars here increased stability and thus it’s at this end of the beach you’ll find the best breaks. However, there are still some good waves to surf as you move further south along the beach, and these more southerly breaks of Costa da Caparica you will often find to be less crowded. The swell size at Costa da Caparica is 2 - 10 ft. The variety of options that Costa da Caparica offers will suit all levels of surfer. And the best thing about it: It's the home spot of one of the surf camps Portugal.

Lagoa de Albulfeira

Lagoa de Albulfeira is a beach break suited to those surfers who have plenty of experience. Throughout the year you will find good lefts here, and, from May to September, when the lagoon and the sea are joined up there is a great right surf break too. Lagoa de Albulfeira works best when the tide is going out, on a north-west swell and easterly winds. This swell size of Lagoa de Albulfeira is 2 - 6 ft.

Bafureira

Bafureira is a point break upon a reef seabed and is often considered one of the top waves of the Estoril coast. Although more popular for its rights, lefts are also common at Bafureira too. Bafureira is best surfed at mid tide and should be avoided at low tide due to the emerging rocks. When a southern swell and northerly winds come together this break is at its best. Bafureira is suitable for both intermediate and advanced surfers, but is probably best avoided by those new to a surfboard due to the reef.

Surfing in Alentejo

Porto Covo

Porto Covo, also known as Praia Grande, is a beach break with waves that beginners can learn on. This sandy spot works well with a north-west swell and easterly winds and is best surfed at low to mid tide. Porto Covo offers both right and left breaks and has a swell height of 2 – 10 ft.

Praia de Odeceixe

A beach break with a sand and rock seabed, Praia de Odeceixe can be surfed by those of an intermediate ability. Praia de Odeceixe will only work at low tide, but its lefts and rights are a fairly popular Alentejo spot. With easterly winds and a north-west swell Odeceixe will work its best, and swell height ranges 2 – 6 ft.

Vila Nova de Milfontes

For experienced surfers, there is the river mouth break of Vila Nova de Milfontes, one of the most popular breaks of the Alentejo region during the summer season. The waves of Vila Nova de Milfontes are at their best under a westerly swell and easterly winds. The spot works regardless of the tide height and offers up some powerful, hollow lefts and rights. Surfers should be aware of a rocky seabed and some strong rip currents.

Malhão

Malhão is one of the most consistent breaks of Alentejo, and works at all tides. It is a sandy beach break that can cater for all surf abilities. North-west swells and easterly winds work well here, and a 2 – 8 ft swell can be expected. Malhão is a fun break and a classic of the Alentejo region.

Zambujeira do Mar

Zambujeira do Mar nicknamed ‘Zambi left’ is a beach break for experienced surfers. The lefts here have speed and power and the spot works best under a north-west swell and with an easterly wind direction. Low to mid tide is preferable at Zambujeira do Mar and there is 2 – 6 ft swell.

Surfing in Algarve

Arrifana Reef

The point break of Arrifana Reef is hailed as one of the best rights that Portugal has to offer. Arrifana Reef is definitely only for the experienced surfer with swell size of 6 – 18 ft and rocks and strong rips which are potentially hazardous. This break works best at low to mid tide with westerly swell and an easterly wind direction. It is one of the most popular waves in Portugal.

Zavial

Also referred to as ‘Z-Point’, Zavial puts forward fast, powerful rights to experienced surfers. This point break has a rock and sand seabed and is a very popular Algarve surf spot. To work its best, Zavial requires a south-western swell, north-easterly winds and a mid to high tide. Swell range is 3 – 8 ft.

Beliche

Beliche is another Algarve spot that is suited to advanced surfers. Beliche is a beach break with both rights and lefts. To work, Beliche needs north-easterly winds, a southern swell, and 3 – 12 ft swell. Low to mid tide is best.

Praia da Cordoama

Praia da Cordoama is a beach break suitable for all levels of surfer, though there are some rocks to be careful of. Praia da Cordoama works on an easterly wind and a north-west swell. Best at mid to high tide with a swell size of 2 – 8 ft.

Praia da Rocha

Rocha is a very consistent beach break that is appropriate for even the newest of surfers. Rocha has a sandy seabed and 2 – 8 ft swell. It will work at all tides but best when there is a north-easterly wind and a south-easterly swell.

You see: Portugal has a giant amount of good surf spots and nice conditions. You can be sure to find sweet breaks around the Surf Camps Portugal.

The History of Surfing in Portugal

The History of Surfing started in Polynesia many years ago. It was not until the late 1950’s and the arrival of surfboards from Biarritz in France that surfing really began in Portugal. It is Pedro Lima, who is considered to be the pioneer of surfing in Portugal, and he surfed year-round without a wetsuit (they weren’t invented yet!) The popularity of surfing in Portugal grew only gradually until 1987, when Portugal entered their first national surf team into the European Surf Championships. The Portuguese team finished 4^th in the competition and suddenly surfing in Portugal became a lot more popular.

Culture in Portugal

Portugal is a country of approximately 10 million citizens. The currency is the Euro and the main religion is Catholicism. The national language is Portuguese but English, French, and Spanish are also widely understood. Mainland Portugal uses the Western European time zone of UTC+00:00. In Portugal, you drive on the right.

Hardly no surfing country in the world offers as many historic cultural treasures in the interior. The architecture is characterized by Romanic and Gothic cathedrals and castles. The trip possibilities to architectural sights are inexhaustible.

Food in Portugal

Whilst on your surfing holiday in Portugal, be sure to check out some of Portugal’s delicious typical dishes. Also the surf camps Portugal offer a wide range of Portugal's finest food. Just a few dishes to look out for:

Bacalhau – Portugal’s national dish. There are reportedly more recipes for this dried, salted cod than there are days of the year!

Alheira – Portuguese sausages, made without pork. They are usually made from chicken, rabbit, duck, quail or veal.

Arroz de Tamoril – Monkfish stewed with tomatoes, garlic and rice.

Cataplana de Marisco – A seafood stew cooked in a special copper pan.

Pastel de Nata – A sweet egg tart pastry.