Holiday itinerary
Sagres, situated at the south westernmost tip of Portugal, is the perfect place for both beginners and experienced surfers to enjoy the sea, sand and freedom that the surf lifestyle has to offer on this 7 night/ 8 day surf holiday.
Set inside the boundary of the unspoilt Costa Vicentina Natural Park, Sagres benefits from year-round swells created where the west and south coasts of Portugal meet and provides a quiet and uncrowded environment in which to learn new surf skills on great waves.
Across 7 nights/ 8 days, you will benefit from surf coaching from highly experienced surfers who can help everyone: from beginners catching waves for the first time or providing top tips to those who have been catching waves for years but want to take their surfing to the next level.
You will stay in surf lodge accommodation with other surfers, allowing you to socialise with other surfers at the end of a fun day in the water.
In this wild and exposed location, you’ll truly be able to escape from the daily grind and indulge in the chilled-out surfer lifestyle.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from complete beginners to those that have surfed before and are looking to perfect their technique
- You must be able to swim
- Minimum age 14 (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)
- Surfing is great fun for everyone but it’s best to bear in mind that it can sometimes be physically demanding
- Lessons available in English or Portuguese
Travelling Solo?
- These surf holidays make great singles holidays as rooms at the surf camp are shared so you don’t have to pay a single supplement
- Surf holidays here are sociable and many others also travel solo so you’ll meet like-minded people looking to make the most of the great surfing in Sagres
Surf Holiday Start Days
- Holidays run year round, taking advantage of the great weather in southern Portugal
- Surfing holidays are for 7 nights / 8 days and arrivals are on Sundays
- If dates appear ‘on request’ please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Surf Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
Day 1 Arrival on Sunday
- You should plan to arrive at the surf camp any time after 3pm (arrivals at other times are possible but rooms are not ready for check-in until after 3pm).
- You will be able to check into your shared room at the surf house anytime from 3pm
- You will have time to settle into the surf camp accommodation and soak up the laid back atmosphere and meet your fellow surfers
- You are free to make your own arrangements for dinner, there are cooking facilities at the surf camp or if you prefer, plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby in Sagres town
Days 2-6 - Monday to Friday – Surf lessons
- After breakfast at the surf camp, head to the beach for your surf lessons
- A shuttle service from the surf camp to the surf beach where your lessons take place is included in the price of the course
- You will have a total of 5 lessons from Monday to Friday
- Each day, you will have around 3 hours of surfing lessons (usually in 2 sessions of 1.5 hours each)
- Classes will typically start at around 10:30am depending on the surf conditions and your instructor will advise you on arrival what time the lesson will take place according to the best surf conditions for your level
- Afternoons and evenings are free for you to sit on the beach and soak up some sun, practice your surfing, explore Sagres or just kick back and relax at the surf camp
Day 7 – Saturday – Rest Day
- Saturday is a rest day and you are free to hire a surf board to practice your surfing or just kick back and relax and soak up the sun
Day 8 – Sunday - Departure day
- After breakfast you will check out of the surf camp. You are asked to check out by 10am but you can leave your bags and use the facilities if you have a later flight to catch
What Will I Learn?
- As a beginner you will learn the following:
- Elementary water safety
- To understand your surf board, where to find the rails, the nose, the stringer and the sweet spot!
- Theory lessons on types of breaks, surf board design, equipment and history
- How to control the board in the water
- Where and how to position yourself to catch a wave
- How to clear the breaking zone and deal with white water
- Line up positioning
- How to paddle to catch the waves
- How to balance standing and lying on the board
- How to stand on your board beginning with a knees to standing action (slower) to mastering a ‘pop up’
- How to catch green waves (the wave just before it breaks)
- More advanced surfers will be shown the best breaks and will be taken to more challenging spots to surf during the week
Surf Equipment
- You will be kitted out in top quality wetsuits
- The school has plenty of surf boards to choose from
- If you are a complete beginner, you can use a board with high volume and float during the first few days, switching to a smaller, more manoeuvrable board as you improve
About Your Surf Instructors
- All instructors are fully qualified teachers with international federations of surfing and all have many years’ experience surfing and teaching
- Instructors have been specially selected for their teaching skills and passion for surfing
- Several teachers are also certified bodyboard instructors and lifeguards and one even has a surf judge qualification
- Your experience is at the heart of what they do and every instructor wants to ensure you have a great time
- Excellent local knowledge to help you master the conditions
- They will tailor and create the experience to suit your needs and level to make sure you get the most from your surfing tuition
Surf Camp Accommodation And Meals
- The Surf Camp is located in a quiet and relaxing area just a short walk from the beaches and shops
- The surf camp is a comfortable, clean surf lodge near the beach with outdoor dining area and relaxation areas for guests
- The lodge has shared rooms and double rooms and 2 bathrooms
- You’ll share a room with up to 3 others and there are twin, triple and quad rooms with bunk beds to share
- There are 2 bathrooms which are shared with the other guests
- There is a large woodhouse with TV and PlayStation where you can relax after an energetic day in the ocean
- Communal kitchen facilities are available at the lodge but there are cafes and restaurants close by if you don’t feel like cooking
- The house has a large patio with BBQ facilities to make the most of the sunshine
- Free bike rentals are available to explore the wild surroundings of the natural park
- Breakfast is included each day
Airport Transfer
- A transfer service is available from Faro airport to your accommodation and can be booked directly with the surf school after confirming your places (full details of how to book the airport transfer will be given on your confirmation voucher)
Surf And Weather Conditions
- Stunning Sagres beach, close to Lagos, is uniquely positioned and offers ideal surf conditions for both beginners and experienced surfers to enjoy year round
- For safety reasons, your surfing lessons will only be given when conditions allow so please be sure to check the start time of each lesson each day with the surf school
- If weather conditions mean you are unable to surf, your lessons will take place at another beach or be rescheduled for later in the day or on another day
Go learn to surf in the natural park setting of Sagres, enjoy the great waves, laid back surfer life and professional surf tuition for a surf holiday with a difference.