Trips
8 Day Surf and Yoga Retreat in Beautiful Praia da Luz, Portugal
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov, 20258 Day Diving and Stay for Certified Divers at Jho'La Surf Camp in Praia da Luz, Portugal
Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov, 20258 Day Marvelous Surf Camp in Praia da Luz, Portugal
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov, 2025About Jho'La Surf Camp
Jho'La Surf Camp is the closest surf camp to Luz Beach and provide experienced and completely certified surf school with instructors that have a great pleasure in teaching.
Instructors
Ricardo Gonçalves
Ricardo is a surf coach by the Portuguese Surf Federation (FPS) since 1996, managing partner of Future Surfing School since 2005, polyvalent surf coach, and mainly responsible for the surf school internal surf coaches training, founder member of the APTS (Portuguese Surf Coaches Association), and lifesaver from the Portuguese Red Cross and the Life Saving Club Great Britain.
What Do People Say About Us?
All our reviews are from travellers with verified trips booked through our platform.
Eleonora Pistaffa
from Italy, October 2024
Pefect spot to enjoy Algarve
The location is very convenient, the surf house very quiet and confortable. Breakfast, dinner and packet lunch were top quality (I am vegetarian and never had a problem with meals during my holidays). The surfing experience was very good, Luz is strategically located so it is always possibile to reach the perfect beach depending on water and tide conditions. I had an amazing time, Francisco is the perfect host and Diana was the icing on the cake, with her yoga lessons in the evening. Highly recommended.
Andrew Roalstad
from United States, October 2023
Solid teaching, great food, small hostel vibe
Partnering with Ecosurf in Portimão and operating Jho'la as a high end hostel provided a quality experience at a fair price.
Francisco is doing a great job of balancing running the house with sharing a passion for Portuguese food and surf culture.
Praia da Luz was a great size and mix of people... Maybe a little small if nightlife is important to you, but surfing started at 915 often.
Shouts out to Pablo (communication), Frederica (dedication), and Samuca (energy) at Ecosurf.
Anonymous
from Germany, October 2023
Super Surfcamp mit tollem Gastgeber und hervorragendem Essen
Tolles Frühstück auf der sonnigen Terrasse, sehr leckere Lunchpakete an Surftagen und landestypisches Essen am Abend.
Gute Surflehrer, die hilfreiche Hinweise geben und für eine tolle Surferfahrung sorgen.
Super Unterkunft mit Hängematten und vielen Möglichkeiten, um mit den anderen Campbewohnern zu entspannen und quatschen.
Hervorzuheben ist zudem der nachhaltige Ansatz, der sich von der Unterkunft (z. B. wiederverwendbare Flaschen und Boxen für Lunch) bis zu den Boards durchzieht.
Maria López
from Germany, October 2023
Very nice experience
It was the first time that I practiced surfing and I could enjoy it very much. I could even catch some waves and get more motivation to continue surfing. The beaches we visited were gorgeous and also a very beautiful place, where I would like to come back. I also like it, especially the coasting activity at See Land. Last, but not least, I am very thankful for the delicious food and for the friendly and warm atmosphere at Jho'La Surf Camp.
Oliver Linow
from Germany, August 2023
Yoga & Surf Camp 2023
Loved the little community that we had over the week! Francisco is a very kind and nice host, taking his time for all of his guests. On top, he's a great chef and the food was delicious. Our Yoga instructor Diana was lovely and the classes were just perfect after all the surfing.
Anonymous
from Germany, June 2023
Awesome stay in Luz
Francisco and his team made me feel like home. He cooked great Portuguise meals and took always time for surf explanation. Can definitely 100% this accomodation.
Angela Buono
from Italy, December 2022
Amazing Beautiful Super
Everything
Antonio Francisco Leandro Jorge
from Switzerland, October 2022
Alle haben sich sehr bemüht uns das Surfen beizubringen. Francisco ist einen hervorragenden Gastgeber. Die Zimmer, die Lage ist perfekt. Es hat alles geklappt.
Lena Mack
from Germany, September 2022
Good food, wonderful people and an awesome surf experience!
Francisco was such an amazing host during our stay at Jho’La Surf Camp. He made us feel very welcomed and was extremely helpful throughout our 8 day stay. One of our favorite experiences were the home cooked portuguese dinners from Francisco. The dinners provided the perfect opportunity to get to know the other guests better PLUS the food was absolutely incredible. The surf part was fun and very challenging. We were able to stay motivated through the instructors (especially Jamie!). In the evening our sore bodies were then properly stretched out during our yoga lessons instructed by Diana. Diana did a wonderful job to get us feeling relaxed and centered after what felt like a long day of surfing. All in all, we loved everything about Jho’La Surf Camp and we definitely plan on coming again!
Anonymous
from United Kingdom, July 2022
Dreamy Week in the Algarve
This week was amazing and packed with Surf and Yoga but also some time to chill. Andrea and Manu looked after us all so well with delicious food, lovely yoga classes and great company. Surf was supported by multiple instructors (Andre and Norbert) as well as everyone in the group... the rest day was very much needed though!
Marina Yunusova
from Germany, May 2022
Amazing experience
In regards of accommodation, It did feel like home. Everything was so well organized that you don't need to think about anything. Just relax and enjoy your vacation. And the meals...oh my..it was delicious. Also I met amazing people there. In regards of surfing school, I don't have anything to compare it with, but what I can say that all students were able to stand up even on the first day. Super professional guys there. Staying for 3 h in the cold water, helping out in every single bit and supper proud of you when you mange to get the wave and ride till the beach (correctly ;-)). We were surfing in two different locations.
Anonymous
from Germany, May 2022
perfect, aktive and calm Holliday
Jola Surfcamp is a realy nice and calm place to relaxe after surfing. We met people from all over the word, even when the moste were germans :). We learned a lot about surfing, surfboards, Surf-Joga and portuguese food from the lovely Francisco and Andrea and had good conversations as well.
At the Surfschool, the people were all super nice and friendly. Every with his own Surfstyle from all over the world. we learned every day something new.
Ambre Mahieddine
from France, September 2021
Surf & Yoga Camp with
Everything!
From the communication, to the location & organization, This place feels like home. I love that they are working towards a more sustainable lifestyle. The food is great (Francisco is a great chef, and he can adapt to vegan/vegetarian). You might also be able to catch one of his cooking masterclass (expect great Portuguese wine and Surfing tips while helping to make a Portuguese dish).
For the Surfing the collaboration was with Future Eco Surf School (Sustainable too). Great instructors. Cool Spots! I was able to catch waves on my own and started turning towards the end of camp.
The Yoga Classes were divine (mainly Yin to counterbalance all the surfing - Diana was the teacher when I was there).
I will most probably return and definitely recommend it ✨
Duygu Jeanne
from France, August 2021
Perfect place to learn surfing
I BELIEVE I CAN SURF
I had one of the best holidays in Jho'la surf camp. The place is very clean and furnished with a real taste. It offers a perfect combination of chill and fun holidays.
Once you go there, you will feel like you have good local friends hosting you and trying their best to make you feel comfortable. It is a 5 mins walk to the beach and the food is amazing.
I also have to point out how awesome the surfing instructors were. I didn't think I could stand up and slide in 5 days but they proved me wrong.
I will come back when I feel a strong "saudade" :)
Obrigada !
Judith Damen
from Netherlands, July 2021
Awesome surfcamp & guesthouse with lovely hosts
I had the best time in the Jho'la surfcamp. The hosts are wonderful people who do their very best to give you the real Portugese / surf experience. I love the vibe in the guesthouse and I've met only lovely people. I really enjoyed the dinners we had together. The food is absolutely amazing and homemade. The combination of surfing and yoga is great if you are looking for an active holiday. Of course there is also plenty of free time to relax in the hammocks or to visit the nice beaches in the region. Thankyou so much for this experience and I'll see you soon!
Louise Hill
from Portugal, October 2020
A fantastic and refreshing experience
Wow—I had such a wonderful time. Francisco was an incredible host and his food is probably the best I have had in Portugal! The yoga was really relaxing and Andrea tailored the sessions very thoughtfully depending on how I was feeling post-surf. The surf school was excellent and the teachers were very dedicated and knowledgeable. Lovely guests, lovely place, fantastic beaches and great memories.
Anonymous
from Switzerland, September 2019
Die Yogastunden waren wunderbar und individuell abgestimmt. Francisco ist ein ausgezeichneter Koch und ein angenehmer Host.
Anonymous
from Russia, September 2019
Warm, cozy and friendly atmosphere
It was so nice, warm and friendly place! Francisco is a very friendly person. And most of the evenings he cooked so delicious portuguese dishes for dinner. And everyone got together over the table to eat, drink something, talk and joke. It was such a nice atmosphere!
The villa is cute and colorful too, with hammoks and oceanside views. Also the villa is pretty close to the ocean and the beach, which is not easy to find for a surfcamp - mostly I saw that they are pretty far. So if someone didn't go surfing or on free and relax days - it was possible to get to the closest beach in 5 minutes. And it is situated in the middle of small town, so shops, cafes and restaurants are nearby too, even an ice-cream factory!
Jared Bentley
from United States, November 2018
Great experience!
The accommodations with Francisco were fantastic. The house and the neighborhood are beautiful. Just a short walk to the beach and some nice restaurants, although we didn't experience much of that because Francisco cooked us some delicious meals all but one night.
The surfing instruction was very hands on and beneficial. All of the instructors had a great attitude and expertise. My skills improved dramatically from day one. All of the beaches were gorgeous and the overall setting was really nice.
Anne Franssen
from Netherlands, August 2018
The perfect holiday!
Homemade food, surf, people, Luz, beaches, wines, hammocks, live music!
Carlotta Maragno
from Italy, August 2018
Feelings rare to find
Great atmosphere and hospitality, perfect organization for the surf lessons and wonderful surf house place, Luz is really pretty near the beach and with some bars restaurants and shops. You don’t need a car to move.
Francisco is really good in cooking and every night you have the possibility to taste Portuguese specialities.
Surf school is good too.
Yoga teacher (Ana) is a wonderful woman with a lot of experience and great communication skills. Love her!!!
Kristin Gunnarsdottir
from Iceland, August 2018
Home is where the heart is
The warmhearted hosts at the SurfCamp left me feeling like I have a second home now away from home. The welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, the food, the house and the fellow guests left me and my daughter with a heart filled with love and joy. The yoga practice was so rejuvenating that I feel like I have had months of rest and joy. I left the house being thankful for all the wonderful people and gifts of the universe.
Ines Weigl
from Austria, May 2018
Super schöne Erfahrung! ich komme bestimmt wieder
Das Camp ist sehr flexibel und geht auf seine Gäste ein. Die Lage ist ruhig aber nicht weit von Bars und Restaurant. Aber Fransisco kocht unpackbar lecker!!!
Caroline Zeller
from United States, September 2017
La joie de vivre
L'endroit-la villa de Francesco-ses repas divins- le partage à table-les plages magiques et le surf- très physique- et La rencontre avec Ana la prof de yoga très pro
Stephanie Hassan
from France, August 2017
L organisation de la semaine ainsi que la nourriture le lieu et les jeunes venant du monde entier. Franchement je recommande.
Anonymous
from United States, August 2017
Très bon séjour chez Fransisco
Propreté des lieux. Accueil et hospitalité de Francisco. A 2 minutes à pied de la plage et des restaurants.
Emma Therer
from United Kingdom, June 2017
A paradise on earth..
Francisco is a wonderful host and he cooks very well :)
I enjoyed my stay in Luz, the house is beautiful and the beach is very close to the house and very nice as well!
The surf school is great! The instructors are very helpful, friendly and will always make sure you have a great time while surfing! :)
I will certainly come back!! I met so many wonderful people & Portugal is a beautiful country!
Hassan Bennouna
from France, May 2017
Excellente expérience
Il règne dans ce camp de surf une agréable atmosphère. Le logement est propre , les cours de surf sont impeccable et les plages magnifiques. Je recommande vivement ce camp de surf. Une mention particulière pour la cuisine de Francesco qui est excellente.