Waves of Joy: My First Surf Camp Adventure in Portugal

If you’re anything like me—meaning you love staying active even on vacation, but also enjoy the occasional pastel de nata—then a surf camp adventure in Portugal might just be your dream getaway. Back in July 2022, I swapped classroom whiteboards for whitewater waves and spent 8 sun-soaked days learning to surf in Cascais.

Spoiler: I had zero experience, and I still had the time of my life.

If you’re curious about riding waves on the African side of the sea — or want to read about a trip where I felt a bit more experienced — check out my surf camp adventure in Morocco.

Why Surf Cascais?

After scrolling through BookSurfCamps.com for what felt like forever, I landed on Surf Cascais. Their camp stood out for a few reasons: chill vibes, a community atmosphere, and just the right balance of structure and freedom. Plus, they offered an 8-day package with daily surf lessons, a couple of yoga sessions, and a cozy villa as your base. Sounded perfect. A bonus? Portugal had been sitting on my travel wish list for a while—so it felt like a win-win.

The Daily Rhythm: Surf, Eat, Nap, Repeat

Every day felt like a new chapter in my surf camp adventure in Portugal, with the tides shaping our schedule.We usually surfed in the morning: wake up early, grab some breakfast, hop in the van, and hit the beach.

As a total beginner, one session a day was plenty. After two hours of wiping out (and occasionally standing up—go me!!), we’d head back to the villa for lunch, lounging, and maybe some good convos with new friends. Some of the more seasoned or extra-motivated surfers went out again in the afternoon, but I was happily horizontal by then.

Community Vibes & Acai Bowls

The Surf Cascais villa is tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, which meant lots of peace between sessions. I stayed in a mixed 4-bed dorm—while I didn’t mind it, I do generally prefer same-sex rooms.

There’s a kitchen if you want to cook, but trust me—you’ll want to try the local food too. I basically lived off açaí bowls and pastel de nata, and I regret absolutely nothing.

Twice a week, someone cooked dinner at the villa, and for a small price, you could join in. These nights ended up being some of my favorite moments—sharing a meal and swapping stories with people from all over the world who also thought learning to stand on a piece of fiberglass while getting smacked by waves sounded like a fun time.

Exploring Cascais & …Cacti?

Afternoons were often free, so we had time to explore the gorgeous coastline of Cascais and the charming town itself. One particularly adventurous day, I thought it’d be a great idea to climb into a cactus patch for a dramatic photo. Would not recommend. Those little suckers can scratch you up bad—and to make matters worse, the photo didn’t even turn out well. 10/10 pain, 2/10 aesthetics.

On another day, we went for a hike and spotted a man with a herd of goats way down in a valley. Naturally, we sprinted down the trail to catch up. So if you’re an animal lover, you might just get your goat fix too.

Coaches, Confidence & Carrying Boards

The instructors? Absolute legends. Patient, funny, and always encouraging. One of the coolest parts was video coaching—it’s humbling (and hilarious) to watch yourself flailing around in the waves.

Also helpful? Realizing that while you feel like a total pro in the moment, you probably look more like a baby giraffe learning to walk. Butt sticking out, arms flailing—it’s a rite of passage.

Thanks to the coaching and support, I went from total novice to confidently riding whitewater all the way to shore. Victory!

Only downside? The walk from the van to the beach with your board. It’s longer than you’d think, and after experiencing other surf camps, I’ve realized it doesn’t have to be that long. But hey, just think of it as your pre-surf warm-up. Or a quad workout. Or both.

Would I Recommend It?

Big yes. Whether you’re going solo or with a buddy, Surf Cascais is a fantastic place to catch your first wave. Great people, good food, and a teaching team that knows how to make you feel both welcome and supported.

Just bring sunscreen, a sense of humor, and a willingness to wipe out. A lot. Bonus: you’ll leave with stronger arms and a few new international friends.

P.S. I highly recommend adding on a few days in Lisbon—it’s beautiful, lively, and the perfect city to wind down (or keep the adventure going) after surf camp. And if you’re missing the waves, you can always “surf” the city’s iconic streetcars for a different kind of ride.