There’s really nothing like a surf camp. Spending your days at an oceanside paradise, hitting the waves, relaxing in the sun, then winding down with a yoga class or bbq on the beach with other travellers.
Surf camps are dedicated beach resorts that offer inclusive surf lessons, coaching and equipment rental. If you’re a complete beginner, a surfing camp is a great place to get started under the guidance of qualified instructors, while those with more experience can benefit from professional tips and spending time practising with other surfers. A surfing camp’s mission is to help you improve your surfing ability as much as possible, while still finding time to relax and enjoy yourself.
Some surf camps are geared towards relaxation, with yoga and spa facilities, while others are tailored towards adrenaline junkies, offering plenty of other adventure packed activities. Some offer luxury private accommodation, while others have hostel-style dorm rooms.
No matter what style of surf holiday you’re looking for, these are some of the best surf camps around the world for every level of surfer…
The Best Surf Camp for All Levels
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Best Portugal Surf Camps
8 Day Surfing Camp in Cascais, Lisbon
Located just 30 minutes from Lisbon, the resort town of Cascais is truly a small slice of paradise, surrounded by beautiful beaches, lush greenery, historic villas and grand palaces. It’s also an ideal location for a surfers camp, with world-class waves all year round.
On a surfing holiday at Cascais’ Surf Villa, daily surf lessons on the local beach are individually tailored to your ability level, whether you’re a beginner wanting to give surfing a try for the first time or an intermediate looking to improve your skills. The villa also offers yoga sessions and plenty of other amenities including a large outdoor swimming pool. At night you can head out to enjoy the area’s many fresh seafood restaurants and ocean-side bars.
Style: Yoga and surfing camp
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From $420 per person
Closest Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport (26km)
Airport pick up included? No, can be added on for $55 for up to 4 people
Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish
Skill level: Beginner and Intermediate
5 Day Surf Coaching Program in Porto
Another great surf camp Portugal option is Surf Coaching Porto. Set in the beautiful fishing town of Matosinhos close to Porto, this surfing camp is run by Joao, a local surfer from Porto with over 30 years of experience.
You’ll spend your mornings at the local beach learning all of the surfing techniques: paddling, wave positioning, catching waves, standing on the board, and riding waves. Then after you’ve finished your daily surf lessons, you’ll have each afternoon to make the most of the local area. You can head into exciting Porto city, relax on the beach, hike in the Gêres Natural Park or hit the wineries of the Douro Valley.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Price: From $235 per person
Closest Airport: Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (6km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish
Skill level: Beginner and Intermediate
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Breakfast only
Best Surf Camp Costa Rica
8 Day Surf Camp for all levels in Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo
One of the best surf camps on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, Rapture Surf Camp is surrounded by pristine white sand beaches and stunning turquoise waters which provide the perfect surf spot for surfers of all abilities. With an average water temperature of 27 degrees all year round, this Costa Rica surfing camp is a great choice for those who aren’t a fan of cold water.
Wake up in your cosy room in the middle of the jungle, enjoy the on-site infinity pool and yoga deck, then head down to the quiet local beach for surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving and more. At the end of the day, you can either enjoy a chilled bonfire on the beach or head to the nearby town of Tamarindo to party the night away.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From $440 per person
Closest Airport: Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (50km)
Airport pick up included? No, but can be added for €66 per person
Languages: English, German and Spanish
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Daily breakfast and dinner Sunday to Thursday
7 day Surf Camp in Santa Teresa, Puntarenas
La Posada Surf Camp in Costa Rica is an amazing surf holiday for those who want to surf, relax and explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
On a one-week surfing camp, you’ll get 4 surf classes with experienced local instructors, tailored to your skill level. This great value surf holiday also includes excursions such as driving ATVs across the beach and down jungle roads to discover epic waterfalls and a boat trip over to Tortuga Island to snorkel on a volcanic rock coral reef. You can then finish your days with calming yoga sessions overlooking the ocean on the camp’s yoga deck.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Price: From $686 per person
Closest Airport: Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (115km) or Juan Santamaría International Airport (110km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Breakfast and snacks only
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Best Bali Surf Camp
15 day Yoga and Surf Holiday in Canggu, Bali
Pelan Pelan Retreat is a beautiful Bali surfing camp offering pure luxury in the exciting town of Canggu. You’ll stay in authentic Indonesian villas surrounded by rice terraces, with a large outdoor pool and private garden.
The Pelan Pelan Surf School is run by Canggu locals who know all of the local beaches and waves by heart. This two week surf holiday includes 10 surf lessons on weekdays, as well as plenty of yoga, meditation and massage sessions to help you relax and unwind after surfing. You’ll also get free access to a scooter to explore more of the island in your downtime and perhaps find you next place to stay in Canggu – because you may never want to leave.
Style: Yoga and surf camp
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Price: From $1,372 per person
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (15km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Daily breakfast and lunch on weekdays
4 Day Semi-Private Surf Camp in Canggu, Bali
If two weeks is a little too long for you, try this 4 day Bali surf camp instead. Also located in Canggu, Surfers’ House hostel can be found just a couple of minutes drive from two of the area’s best beaches and surf spots.
This great value surf camp in Bali includes surf theory and etiquette classes, 3 semi-private surf lessons – only 2 guests with 1 instructor – plus a video analysis of your lessons to help you improve your technique. You can even keep your surfboard after each lesson to keep on practising by yourself.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Price: From $153 per person
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (11km)
Airport pick up included? No, but can be added for €29 per person
Languages: English and Indonesian
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Only breakfast
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Best Nicaragua Surfing Camps
6 Day Advanced Surfing Camp in Puerto Sandino, Leon
Miramar Surfers Camp in Nicaragua is nestled on the edge of the cliff that overlooks Punta Miramar point break – one of the country’s best surf spots – with an ocean-side pool and its own private skate park.
On this 6-day surf camp you’ll attend daily surf lessons on some of Nicaragua’s best, uncrowded waves, as well as a daily boat ride to go out to different surf breaks depending on the tide, wind, and swell. For nightlife lovers, there’s plenty to do nearby, from beach parties in Las Penitas to salsa nights in Leon.
Miramar Surf Camp Nicaragua offers tailored packages for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to get to grips with the basics, or for advanced surfers wanting to improve their skills even further.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Price: From $670 (beginners/intermediate) or $585 (advanced) per person
Closest Airport: Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (64km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Languages: English and Spanish
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Yes, three meals a day and drinks
Best Sri Lanka Surf Camp
8 Day Surf Camp in Weligama, Southern Province
Surrounded by tropical palm trees, The Surfer Beach Camp is set right next to the beach and offers one of the most comprehensive surf holidays in Sri Lanka.
During this 8-day surfer camp, you’ll get to attend small group surf lessons twice a day every day with professional coaches. Once you start to improve, you’ll also be able to jump on a boat to discover more secret surf spots along the coastline.
This great value Sri Lanka surfing camp also includes 2 complimentary yoga sessions and plenty of fun social activities with other guests in the hostel.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From $350 per person
Closest Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (148km)
Airport pick up included? No, but can be added for €100 for up to four people
Languages: English
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Breakfast and dinner
7 Day Surfers Paradise in Weligama, Southern Province
Also located in Sri Lanka’s coastal town of Weligama, Surfers Paradise is another fantastic and affordable surf camp suitable for surfers of every level. Over one week you’ll get 10 private or small group surf lessons with skilled instructors to help drastically improve your surfing ability.
Surfers Paradise hostel has a relaxed surfers vibe. You can soak up some rays on the sunbeds while listening to chilled music and socialising with other guests, or head out to explore the local area with optional excursions such as whale watching or visiting local temples.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Price: From $263 per person
Closest Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (147km) or Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (83km)
Airport pick up included? No
Languages: English
Skill level: Beginner and Intermediate
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Breakfast only
Best France Surf Camp
7 Day Surf Camp in Messanges, the Landes
La Dune Surf Camp on France’s beautiful Landes Coast is a true hidden gem and the ideal spot for a surfing holiday in France, no matter what skill level you are.
Each day you’ll head to local Messanges beach for small group surf lessons with experienced instructors, while in your spare time you can hit the other nearby beaches.
And if all of the surfing doesn’t wear you out, you can also make the most of the area’s many other activities, including stand up paddleboarding on the nearby lakes and cycling in the surrounding forests. Plus tennis, golf, horse riding, tree climbing, archery and more. Beach yoga and Thai massages are also available (for an additional fee) to unwind at the end of a busy day.
Style: Surf camp
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Price: From $330 per person
Closest Airport: Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (50km)
Airport pick up included? No
Languages: English and French
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? No
8 Day Family Surf Camp in the Médoc
Located close to the town of Montalivet on the French Atlantic Coast, nestled among beautiful vineyards, Ujusansa family surf camp is one of the best family-friendly surf holidays in Europe.
Families stay in spacious teepee tents at a campsite just 700 meters away from the sea, surrounded by pristine nature. The on-site surf school offers daily classes for surfers of all levels from 7 years up, while kids between 2-7 can enjoy Ujusansa’s surf kindergarten. So remember to pack floaties for kids because your kids won’t be able to resist the water.
The France surf camp also offers plenty of other family-friendly activities, including yoga, volleyball, longboarding, scuba diving, hiking, horseback riding (ponies for the little ones) and more. In the evening you’ll be able to enjoy fun group BBQs, movie nights, karaoke parties and a glass or two of local Bourdeaux wine for parents.
Style: Family surf camp
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From $1,156 per family
Closest Airport: Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (70km) or La Rochelle – Île de Ré Airport (80km)
Airport pick up included? No
Languages: English and French
Skill level: Beginner and Intermediate
Surf equipment rental included? Yes
Food included? Yes, three meals per day
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