GALLERY
OVERVIEW
Experience a surfer’s lifestyle at our authentic surf camp! Spend your holiday glamping by the beach, surf all day with no crowds, chill by the campfire at night and meet like-minded people from around the world.
Our surf camp is based in a 4-star camping park right in front of the beach in a little town north of Porto called Estela where we are the only surfers.
All packages include glamping accommodation in spacious tipi tents, healthy breakfast and dinner, surf lessons, and free use of the surf gear throughout your stay.
This is the perfect surfing holiday during the health crisis as we are based in a secluded area in front of the beach with pine trees, we are outdoors with a lot of space, we have private access to an uncrowded beach, and follow all the health and safety measures recommended by the Portuguese Health Authority during the pandemic: we are a Clean & Safe Surf Camp! (More details below)
Our surf camp is based in a 4-star camping park right in front of the beach in a little town north of Porto called Estela where we are the only surfers.
All packages include glamping accommodation in spacious tipi tents, healthy breakfast and dinner, surf lessons, and free use of the surf gear throughout your stay.
This is the perfect surfing holiday during the health crisis as we are based in a secluded area in front of the beach with pine trees, we are outdoors with a lot of space, we have private access to an uncrowded beach, and follow all the health and safety measures recommended by the Portuguese Health Authority during the pandemic: we are a Clean & Safe Surf Camp! (More details below)
HIGHLIGHTS
• Glamping Surf Camp by the beach in Porto
• Sleep in private or shared big tipi tents
• Linen included & comfortable mattresses
• 7 breakfast and 5 dinners included
• 5 surf lessons based on your level
• Free use of the surf gear the whole week
• Free photos & videos
• Free use of bikes and skates
PACKAGES
First Waves
Whether it is your first time or you have already surfed a few times before but can´t catch a green wave yet, this is for you! You will learn or have a refresh of the basics of surfing. We will teach you and guide you towards riding your first waves by yourself in a safe environment and aim to ride your first green waves by the end of the week.
This is the basic package included when you book a shared or private tipi.
From 412€ pp/week (low season).
Progression
If you can already ride a green wave by yourself, then this is the package for you. You will perfect your surfing skills with lessons in smaller groups for intermediate and advanced surfers. We focus on the areas you want to improve: perfecting the take-off, turning, doing the bottom turn, and riding the green wave. This add-on to the basic package includes a more hands-on coaching approach with video analysis and 2 surf skate sessions.
50€ pp/week.
Surf & Yoga
Surf and Yoga go hand in hand. Yoga helps to increase core strength and flexibility which gives you more balance, power and ultimately improves your surfing. It´s also a nice relaxing time where you are in touch with the elements as we either have the yoga classes on the beach or a quiet area in the camp. This package includes 4 yoga classes and can be added to the basic package as well as the progression package.
45€ for 4 Yoga lessons.
The Camp
The Surf Camp is surrounded by pine trees that provide shade to relax or nap in the hammocks even in the heat of the day. In our community area, you’ll find an equipped kitchen with a shared fridge and several hobs. Visit our surf camp bar to grab a refreshing drink after a long, sunny day at the beach. At night, join us around the campfire with the other guests and the crew to share a few good stories and a laugh.
You can choose between two different glamping tent options: Our spacious shared tipi tents are 3.50 meters high and 6m in diameter and have 4 single beds. Our private tipi tents are 4m in diameter and have a double bed that accommodates couples or 2 friends. Both tent options come with very comfortable memory foam mattresses, bedding and linen, electricity, lights, and a set of dishes for every person.
Our Surf Camp is a perfectly safe holiday during our current times of worldwide health crisis as we are based in an uncrowded, private beach. There is plenty of space on the beach for everyone to have their own space. The surf camp is based in a secluded camping park away from the city and surrounded by fields and the beach, so requirements on social distancing are straightforward to implement. We are not confined indoors, it´s pure outdoors living but with some luxury in glamping comfortable tents. We respect all the health & safety measures in terms of hygiene and cleaning as well as social distancing (click here for more info from our IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFO page).
Food
Our surf camp package includes a breakfast buffet with a selection for every taste. For dinner, our chef prepares fresh and tasty international dishes including salad and dessert 5 evenings a week (drinks are not included). We cater to vegetarian and vegan diets, too. The other two days of the week we’ll give you the opportunity to join our organised trips to a local restaurant and the city of Porto to dive into the Portuguese culture.
Once onsite, you can decide to sign up for our optional lunch package which we deliver to you on the beach. If you prefer, you can use the kitchen to cook your own meal or go to the campsite restaurant.
Once onsite, you can decide to sign up for our optional lunch package which we deliver to you on the beach. If you prefer, you can use the kitchen to cook your own meal or go to the campsite restaurant.
ACTIVITIES
Surfing
We surf in a great surf spot only known by the locals; it’s an open beach break ideal for all levels. Beginners will stay in the white water at the front and experienced surfers will be able to catch green waves at the back. We have a large selection of surfboards including hardtop longboards and shortboards. You can use the surf gear outside the surf lessons during the entire week for free. The camping has private access to the beach, so we are basically the only surfers there. That's impossible to find anywhere else in Portugal during the summer!
Beach Lifestyle
You'll obviously enjoy the beach during your holidays with us, we set up our own area with shade, beach volleyball nets, and have beach tennis and balls you can use. You'll never get tired of the beautiful sunset over the ocean!
Make your own team and enter our relaxed beach volleyball tournament.
If you are tired of the beach, you can jump in the campsite swimming pool and relax.
Make your own team and enter our relaxed beach volleyball tournament.
If you are tired of the beach, you can jump in the campsite swimming pool and relax.
Skating & other Activities
One of the main activities we have outside of surfing is skating. We offer skate lessons for a small fee, have a few skates you can use for free including surf skates to improve your surfing, and have an awesome skate park 15 mins drive from the camp.
We also have a few bikes you can take for free to discover the area and can organise SUP tours and horse riding. The camp is right next to a golf course, so if you like golfing, you'll enjoy one of the best golf courses in Portugal.
We also have a few bikes you can take for free to discover the area and can organise SUP tours and horse riding. The camp is right next to a golf course, so if you like golfing, you'll enjoy one of the best golf courses in Portugal.
Night Life
When the sun goes down, join us around the campfire for a few drinks and some good vibes. You´ll get to know the crew and the other international guests. Throughout the week we have a few activities including a pub quiz, movie night, cocktail night, and a guitar jam session. If you feel like partying a little longer nothing beats a bonfire on the beach with some music and a few drinks!
Photos & Video
We take pictures throughout the week and capture different moments of your surfing progress, we also produce a little video which we show at the end of the week. Now, when you catch a wave remember: look at the camera and smile :)
... oh, and it´s all included in your package!
... oh, and it´s all included in your package!
Visiting Porto
Wednesday is your free day, there are no lessons nor activities. It´s your chance to visit Porto and discover the amazing UNESCO world heritage city that won best European destinations a few times already.
Immerse yourself in the Portuguese culture, wander in the small streets of the historic center of Porto, try a "pastel de nata" (Portuguese custard tart) and some Port wine.
Clean & Safe
We follow all health & safety measures recommended by the Portuguese Health Authority (DGS) and Turismo de Portugal in order to safeguard the health of our guests and employees. We have implemented a list of actions and approved hygiene protocols in our surf camp and surf school and have been given the Clean & Safe seal from Turismo de Portugal. Check the "IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFO" page for more details.
DATES
FAQs
Is the Surf Camp opening in 2021 during the pandemic?
Yes, we are! We were open in 2020 and implemented health and safety measures for COVID-19 and it was a great summer with all our guests having a good time.
In 2021 we will be opening the surf camp on 5th June and closing on 18th September.
Is it safe to go to your surfcamp during Covid?
Your health is our priority! We have put in place a number of health and safety measures in accordance with the official Portuguese Health authority (DGS) and Turismo de Portugal which enabled us to have the official "Clean & Safe" seal.
Check our Covid info page here for all the details.
Where is the Surf Camp?
Our surf camp is based in the north of Portugal, on a little beach village called Estela in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim about 30km north of Porto. Click here for Google maps link
Our surf camp is inside the camping park of Orbitur Rio Alto, a 4-star campsite certified and recognized by the quality of its services and its facilities. It is located right in front of the beach with direct and private access to the beach. It has free (but slow) wifi, shower blocks with continuous hot water, a mini-market, restaurant, bar, self-service, social halls, free swimming-pool for users, and a playground for kids. Check the camping park website here.
The beach is a quiet beach due to its private access and only customers of the surf camp and the camping park can access it, this means we are the only surfers there. You can surf with no crowds.
How do I get to the surf camp?
The closest airport is Porto Airport (OPO) which is about 30km from the camp.
Public transport from Porto Airport or Porto center: If you want to travel from Porto or the airport by public transport, you’ll find some helpful links below. You can take the metro to Póvoa de Varzim (line B) and get a free shuttle to the camp (only available on Saturdays from 1 pm to 6 pm) from there. If you want to use this service, please let us know your arrival time in Póvoa de Varzim. More information on https://www.porto.fr/metro.
Taxi from Porto Airport: If you would like to be picked up from Porto airport (OPO) and taken directly to the surf camp, you can either get a taxi for about 40€ (there are always taxis waiting when exiting the airport) or you can get an uber. If you would like to book a bigger taxi (up to 8 people) please get in touch with us via [email protected] we would be happy to help.
The use of masks is now compulsory on public transports, taxis, uber and our free shuttle, please remember to bring yours or you will have to buy one.
Arriving by car: If you arrive by car, enter the following address into your navigation system: Camping Orbitur Rio Alto, EN 13 - Km 13, Lugar do Rio Alto, 4570-275 Estela - Póvoa de Varzim. You can park your car on the external car park of the campsite or inside the campsite, both come with additional costs payable upon arrival directly to the camping park. Click here for Google maps link.
Once you arrive at the campsite Orbitur Rio Alto, go to the reception and let them know that you’re staying with I Surf Portugal, they will guide you to the surf camp. In the evening, you will meet with the rest of the crew and the other guests to enjoy a welcome meal together!
What time are check-ins and checkouts?
Check-in is possible from 3 pm
Checkouts are at 11 am
What do I need to bring?
Don’t forget:
- Towels for the beach and for the bathroom
- Warm clothing for the evenings (it can get cool at night)
- Sunscreen and sun hats etc.
- EU electricity adapter (for guests from the UK or outside EU)
We provide:
- All bedding and linen
- Parasols and windbreaker if needed
- All surf gear
Can I arrive and leave on any day?
During low season, you can arrive and leave on different days than on Saturdays as long as you stay a minimum of 7 nights. However, if you can, we recommend you check-in and out on Saturdays as we have defined a weekly schedule. If you are interested in a customised package, please get in touch with us.
During high season, arrivals and departures are always on Saturdays.
I would like to stay more than 1 week, is there any discount?
Yes, there is! There is a 10% discount on the price of the accommodation for the second week and after. Get in touch for a quote or to book.
What language are the surf lessons taught?
Adult surf lessons are usually taught in English, but if you are not comfortable with English our surf instructors also speak German, Dutch, French, and Spanish. Let us know if that's the case and we'll make sure you'll have the right surf instructor.
I have a special diet, can I still come?
We also cater to vegetarians and vegans! Let us know if you have special diet requirements or food intolerance when you book, so we can make sure that we can cater to your needs.
How far is the beach from the camp?
We are right in front of the beach, it takes about 3 minutes to walk from your tent to the beach.
How can I book?
The easiest way is to book online directly, just click on Book Now and you'll be taken to a secure payment page. If you have any questions you can always contact us and we'll be happy to help.
We require a 50% deposit at the time of booking to secure your reservation, the remaining 50% is due up to 30 days before arrival.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can check our cancellation policy and full Terms and conditions here.
CONTACT
For more information or to book off-season dates, please get in touch.