Peniche Surf Lodge

I had such a great week! I'm gonna miss everyone so much 😭

The whole vibe was so chill, meeting everyone staying in the lodge, Leon and ruby do a fab job getting everyone together and making you feel welcome and looking after the place

Of course the surf lessons are so much fun, I have no complaints!

The lodge instantly feels like home, it's so well kept, clean, and very quiet at night, slept like a baby. The owners Claire&Duncan, are so cools and nice!

The surfing is also super, we got picked up by the vans at 9:30 and stayed at the beach until 16:00 so you get so much time in the water, much better than my previous camp. Every day we built a little wind shelter beach camp and everyone got a little snack bag, so cosy!

We started with about one hour lesson (a bit longer) and then you could practice on your own the rest of the day. I improved so much, now I can catch green waves and ride sideways!

And every afternoon everyone first hang out in the livingroom for a beer before heading for dinner and drinks with whole crew. Perfect for solotravelers like me!

Super nice instructors and hosts! They made us feel like home and helped with everything. Accommodation was clean and cozy. Communication was always clear and friendly. Surf instructors were professionals, encouraging and had good vibes! Also other guests at the lodge were super friendly and we had a good team spirit. Overall good experience, would come again.

What really stood out to me is how much the surf camp feels like a family. The vibe is relaxed, human, and genuinely adaptive to everyone. The connections you make are real: you meet interesting people and form meaningful bonds. On the surf side, Peniche delivers great waves and solid conditions, the boards are quality, the coaching is great, and the house is cosy and comfortable. Everything comes together to make it a truly good experience.

Everything was well organized which I appreciated greatly as this was my first time in a surf camp. Beach drop off and pick-up everyday at specific times, different boards and wetsuits available to fit your needs, small breakfast and snacks provided.

Nice vibe, a lot of fun, fun people, surfing, Duncan, his wife and their son were always avaible for us.

Incredible experience from start to finish. The coaching was professional, supportive, and tailored to all levels. I progressed more in a few days than I expected. The atmosphere was relaxed but focused, and the group vibe made it even better. Surfing powerful Atlantic waves in Peniche with such a great team was unforgettable. Highly recommend — I’d definitely come back. 🌊🤙

The retreat provides you with everything you need - from wetsuits and surfboards to snacks and beach games, you are covered. It feels more like a long-lost family than a surf retreat. They are always friendly and happy to assist you with whatever you may need. The bus ride to the surf spot each day always gets you excited and laughing before the day has even started!

The accommodation is extremely neat and very clean, while the team and staff are super friendly and welcoming.

Had an amazing experience and would definitely highly recommend the Peniche Surf Lodge as the best in the business!

This wonderful family made us part of them. Ricardo is a wonderful person with a sunny smile. My son and I came, but the three of us left, the two of us and a surfboard. Simply wonderful

Accomadation was fantastic, had ist floor to myself & private room

We had the best time staying at the surf lodge, felt like a second family!

The freedom in the afternoon. You could either chill on the beach in the cocoon that Claire set up in the morning or you can decide to spent the entire afternoon on the ocean.

I also greatly appreciated the honesty of Duncan/Claire/Dane regarding the waves and/or the spots. At some point the waves weren't good, so they preferred for us to wait an addition an hour in order to have the best experience on the water (instead of simply go as "business as usual" on the water).

Getting a feeling for beach life, relaxing and catching some waves under nearly perfect conditions. Meeting easygoing people from lots of places and still be able to be your hermit-self at times was very nice.

This surf trip was pure good vibes. The family running it is super friendly, always there to help, and they’ve got that laid-back chill energy. What I loved the most was that they set up the camp right on the beach – straight access to the waves – plus they brought along other sports gear so you can have fun even when you’re not surfing. Everything was super relaxed. The lodge was very clean and well kept.

A truly wonderful experience! It was my first time surfing and I had a great time. I stayed in a shared room; there were seven beds, but there were only three or four of us. The instructors were fantastic, and the owners were lovely people. The location was also simply perfect. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an experience like this; I was there the last week of August.

Claire, Duncan and Dane are lovely people, always spreading their good mood and knowledge to the group! Living at the lodge was great, everything was tidy, they make it a little home away from home and make you feel welcome. The surf lessons were great too, we could already see big progess in a week of surfing. Thank you all for this amazing week, see you soon!

I was happy be here :-)))

Very successful combination of spending time together and individual rest!

Really professional surf instructors! It were specific advices, support and corrections for each participant depending on its level!

Excellent area on the beach with sun and wind protection for relaxation together!

Very clean rooms and lodge. The whole lodge is a clean area where you can walk barefoot on a clean floor. I really like it - it's like home!

Routine and rules - сlear daily surfing activitiesquiet and good quiet rest at night!

Top Camp - lovely family owned business,

The Lodge was phenomenal and clean,

Surfing with all the guys and instructors was a true blessing, lots of good tips, lots of motivation and helpful comments in regards of your surf, felt like living with a family cause everyone that joins this camp was a nice person

Super friendly hosts and guests from all around the world, many of whom we’ll definitely stay in touch with. 😊 The surfing lessons were very helpful, and we feel we learned a lot. We actually fell in love with the sport! 100% recommend to anyone!

Incredible welcoming atmosphere, fantastic surf instructors, everything was sparkling clean — I felt at home from the very first moment.

Had a really nice stay at Peniche surf lodge! Everyone was very nice, the surf spots and lessons were great and so were the evening recommendations! I am already looking forward to going back :)

Thanks again for making my stay one to remember <3

The hosts are too good and take care of the guests with everything they’ve got. Our trip was filled with fun stories, good surf lessons, cozy campsite each day, great recommendations, an amazing lodge and even nicer fellow surfers.

Great vibe at the camp—everyone was friendly and open to bonding, which made the experience really social and fun. Surf conditions were spot-on every day, and the location was perfect, just steps from the beach. Everything was super well organized, from logistics to daily schedules. Overall, an amazing place to surf, relax, and meet people.

Went from paddling only, to reading waves, catching waves independently and turning in just one week. Great instructors and great value for money. Super knowledgeable team.

The organisation was very good, this format (lesson in the morning and free time in the afternoon) works well!

It was an amazing overall experience. We had so much fun, learnt a lot, and made good memories and new friends!

Thanks again Claire, Duncan and Dane!

What I appreciated most was the personal approach and the warm, friendly atmosphere that immediately felt like a second home. Claire, Duncan and Dane run this surf camp with such passion and care that it feels like being welcomed into a big family. Everything was arranged down to the last detail. It was relaxed, casual and exactly how a surf trip should be.

Every day offered new adventures, from the first morning waves to the magical sunsets on the beach. The beautiful, authentic locations made the experience even more profound. I not only improved my surfing here, but I also made deep friendships that I will cherish forever. There is something magical about laughing together, falling, getting up and diving back into the ocean.

After 10 days in this magical place, saying goodbye was harder than I expected. I missed the ocean, the people, the unique energy and the very good surfing lessons of duncan and dane makes this surf camp so special.

Only 10 days later I couldn’t resist any longer, I had to go back. This time for 8 days. And even after that extra time, I still feel like I would have liked to stay here much longer. That’s why I already know, in October I’ll be back. This is not just any surf camp, it’s a place that touches your heart and nourishes your soul. 🌊💙

I really love this surf camp, it was a really wonderful experience! The house is very clean and cute(I love the living room’s sofas ahaha), the people I met are kind, Claire is very friendly and Duncan is so patient and humorous, gave me so much confidence as a beginner! I definitely will come back again!

Die Unterkunft war schön und sauber, alle waren super nett und zuvorkommend, der Ort ist wunderschön, wir kommen bald wieder!

Spent 3 nights at Peniche Surf lodge and right away Claire and Duncan made me feel at home! The lodge itself is so cute and clean and makes you feel like you’re right at home there. I had Dane for a surf lesson one day and Duncan the next day and both of them are very knowledgeable and patient! I got exactly what I wanted out of this experience and I can’t recommend it enough! I will be back! Thanks to the Hall family for running such a great surf camp!

great instructors, will get you on the board in no time even if it's your first time surfing, allways takes you to the beat surfing spots, and the lodge is a nice, cozy place to relax and hang out with others after the day's surf, decent help yourself breakfast included

Enjoyed the surfing, kind people and good stay

We had a great time, thank you very much for the kind welcome, the excellent atmosphere and the small group surfing lessons. I would definitely recommend this family business to others!

The instructors are super nice and try to create a friendly ambiance leading to really good experience and is a good way to meet people they also look out for the best surfing places depending on the surfing conditions

The accommodation is also great and Claire makes sure that everyone is comfortable including on the beach where there is the whole necessary to spend the day in a comfy place

Finally having access to the equipment after the lessons gives you also the opportunity to test thing by yourself which is also cool

The instructors, the energy, the people in the camp was amazing! Dane and Duncan amazing guys! So much fun to hang out with and very good at what they do! Will definitely surf with them again!

The location is great, the instructors are super friendly and helpful, the other guests are awesome.

Me and Sander enjoyed Peniche Surf Lodge immensely. There is a very nice and relaxed atmosphere. Everything is well organized and the instructors are hard working people. We had a very nice time and recommend it to everyone to come to Peniche Surf Lodge :)

Kind regards Jorg the funny man :)

Everything was great 😊

I will be back 😉

Claire, Duncan and Dane were amazing hosts, the week was incredible, intense with real surf progress. You are surrounded by nice people from all ages (average 30 yo). Surf session in the morning with the coach in the water, for all levels; followed by a nice lunch break at the beach and a free surf session in the afternoon.

Around the lodge you can find all necessary shops, restaurants and bars to enjoy your evenings.

I am looking forward to come again !

Had an amazing surf trip with a fantastic crew! The school is run by a super friendly family, and they made us feel like part of it right away. Big thanks to Duncan and Claire for being so welcoming and making everything easy. Shoutout to Dane, our main instructor, whose teaching technique was spot on—he broke everything down in a way that made surfing click for us beginners. And Luis, another instructor, brought such good energy and vibes to every session.

The lodges were super clean and comfortable, making it easy to relax after a day in the waves.

The other guests were all great too—we ended up spending our evenings together with dinners, BBQs, and parties. Such an all-around awesome vibe.

If you’re looking to learn to surf or just want to catch some waves with good people, this is the place to be.

Can’t wait to go back!

It was an amazing decision to visit this place. Hospitable Claire and Duncan, amazing instructors Luis and Dane! I've been taught a lot for that week. Amazing people, cozy evenings, what else do you need to visit this place? :) will definitely return here soon

We had a fantastic week with Hall family and all participants. Easy pace and chill atmosphere with very good instructions that make you progress fast. Clean and quite locations with ocean view and beautiful cliffs around. I want to come back soon.

Accommodation was super clean and spacious, very close to the beach and to beautiful sunsets. Claire and Duncan were lovely hosts, they communicated on time and made sure we had everything we needed. Being able to surf in the afternoon was such a plus! The instructors Dane and Luis were wonderful and patient, it was very individualized and they took their time with each student. The atmosphere at the lodge was welcoming and friendly. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking to try surfing for their time or to improve their skills!

We had an amazing time at the lodge. Clair and Duncan were great hosts and the instructors were wonderful, especially for us first time surfers. The place was safe, clean, social and had a great atmosphere. We highly recommend this place for a great surfing experience.

I really enjoyed spending time there in different beaches in Peniche (depends on conditions) as well as people over there. I had so much fun that I could describe it as "epic" and totally recommended !!

Family run, personal. Clare answers messages immediately. 2 houses, one for young crowd, one for quieter private rooms. Beautiful home. EXTREMELY CLEAN. Town is adorable, sm & authentic. Beach is amazing, the agenda is relaxed. It is for serious surfers & new adventure "lets try" folks. Tired of surf, can skip day or just hang. Good way to meet people. Great way to escape life. Price is fair and family is reputable. They have this organized like a well oiled machine. No shenanigans, but encourage fun w youth. Did this w 18 yr old daughter. We enjoyed being exposed to Portuguese beach life. Will pick you up at airport reliably. You dont need a car. They may open private apartments in future. This would be super. Fantastic opportunity for all. Nice people.

Claire, Duncan and Dane are super nice, friendly and supporting people.

The place is clean and cozy, I felt like I visited relatives for a weekend. Folks here were great as well, we not only supported and motivated each other, but even played boardgames almost every evening.

The beach camping where we relaxed between surf sessions was organized perfectly including not only umbrellas and towels and so but even stuff for beach games also.

Great place for the first surfing experience! (And for all next ones 😁) Will recommend to friends for sure.

the surf lodge is clean and well maintained, the staff are super friendly, and the surf lessons were top class.

peniche itself is a beautiful town with all amenities nearby.

The lodge is well positioned and near the beach.

Overall everything exceeded my expectations.

Thank you!

Claire, Duncan, and Dane are awesome! The lodge is very well kept, plenty of room, and located in a great spot in Peniche and close to the water. Surfing everyday with Duncan and Dane is a blast, they are really good instructors and really helpful at not just improving surfing, but understanding the ocean to surf better on your own. The days I had at the surf lodge were very enjoyable, I highly recommend staying here if you really enjoy surfing or are looking to improve. Thank you Claire, Duncan, and Dane!

Reading the reviews you would think : this place can’t be perfect…especially for the price, right ? Wrong ! The peniche surf lodge exceeded my expectations. Lovely hosts, beautiful location, extensive et supportive lessons. I rarely, if ever, go back to the same places when I travel, but this place has my heart. It truly felt like home. I guess I was born in the wrong country.

Thanks again to the Hall family :)

The place is so cosy and home-like.

The kitchen has a lot of equipments to bake or cook something. You don't need to worry about towels. You can walk up to a store it's a 10 min walk of you are slow.

Across the street is a beautiful little hike to some impressive cliffs you can do if you need a day off from surfing.

The surfing: the way they organize everything is very lovely. You can be completely relaxed. You will get to the waves every day and they pick you up. They have several boards to choose, and played close attention to what you tell them about your surfing and improving. Also they will watch and suggest adjustments to you stance, paddle,.... So very good coaching in the water.

Claire is such a lovely host as well! I didn't see her very often because I wasn't spending too much time in the lodge but that is on me.I felt very welcomed at all times. And this is a place to SURF. I suggest to go here of you take it seriously.

Claire and Duncan are very helpful and nice hosts. They are customer oriented and surf lessons are fun. Dean and Duncan are very professional and patient instructors and they approach flexible for all levels or choices. Surf Lodge also very friendly, i have seen a very good vibe all within surfers. I strongly recommend here.

Lodge is clean, comfy and had everything needed to have a good time.

The folks are super friendly and have a passion for surfing and teaching.

War child is comin back for sure 😂

-Alex D

Overall experience was Excellent!

Entire staff team -Duncan,Claire,and Dane did an amazing job taking care of my experience during the entire week. Location was great, got lucky with weather and able to surf for the week.

Dane, great surf instructor and patient helping me along way to be able to standup and provide great tips everyday, thank you so much !

Duncan, always on time and attentive to everyone in the group making us feel part of team, great surf stories as well!

Claire, nothing but great attention to the lodge and all areas, communication was great every step of way from arrival to departure- thank you !

Hands down best first surf experience, recommend to all levels as Peniche offers amazing waves, location, and of course this amazing team that will take very good care of you !

Amazing week of surfing in Peniche. The facilities in the lodge are perfect, great kitchens too for the guests to use, the house is in a great location also. The Hall family are so kind and accommodating and I learnt so much as a beginner surfer. Cannot recommend this surf camp enough :)

Couldn't imagine that I would learn so much in one week! Amazing tuition for a complete beginner and I felt so at home and looked after from start to finish. Would not hesitate to recommend and can't wait to come back another time!

The surf coach are super nice and approachable. The whole vibe is amazing. Perfect surf trip if u really surf

I had a great experience with the instructors and people I met there. The instructors really want to see your progress and guide you to new levels. Duncan, Dane and Felipe did a great job. Also it was very nice when Claire brought us some tea and cookies to the beach as a snack treat. Would definitely come back again!

All of the teachers really want to make the best experience possible for every participant. They have put all their effort in every day. Was super great💪🏻

- Very supportive

- I learned a lot

- nice and kind people

- they do it with honest passion

- would go again

pretty much everything is nearby (groceries, restaurant, laundry, surf shops, etc.); beach breaks surf spots to be enjoyed anytime of the year regardless of skills; all equipments provided incl. beach towels, poncho, umbrellas; free surfing in the afternoon (and tea & cookies); same lesson time (although it would be better if it's decided based on wave conditions)

I had a fantastic week at the surf lodge! I really liked the routine of going to the beach together every day and set up the cosy camp.

Learned so much in a short time and it was amazing sharing the experience with the other guests as well as the Hall family. The lessons were so helpful for a beginner like myself, the teachers were very specific on what I needed to focus on to develop.

Claire was so helpful and arranged a transfer for me from the airport when my flight was very late.

The focus really is on surfing and I appreciated that so much. Most nights we cooked in the lodge and had early nights, so tired after full days in the water. Everything is very clean and hosts as well as guests took good care of the place.

All and all a wonderful week :)

Claire, Duncan, Felipe, and Dane were really good hosts. I particularly loved the idea of having the beach camp all day at our disposal, and the free surfing in the afternoon. After a couple of days of assessing your surfing skills they were happy to divide the group according to the different levels (provided the conditions allowed it).

The surf instructors provide very targeted feedback, however, don't expect that they will 100% concentrate on you specially if it is a big group. If you want more feedback, you have to be vocal about it ;) They have an very complete Emergency Kit, and are familiar with injuries. I had a tiny accident and they were super helpful patching me up, and driving me to the hospital. Also, they were very accommodating when I wanted to get back in the water.

The overall experience was really good.

Der Surfspot ist wirklich toll. Dieser liegt mit dem Auto ca. 10 Minuten vom Camp weg. Vor Ort ist zwar auch ein Strand, der ist aber weder zum Baden noch zum Surfen geeignet. Die Unterkunft an sich ist zum schlafen in Ordnung. In Peniche geht nicht viel, man muss immer nach Baleal fahren, wenn man neben dem Surfen auch Mal Abends ausgehen möchte. Aber es gibt super Restaurants und Supermärkte in der Nähe. Die Surflehrer und Claire waren sehr sympathisch und haben immer dafür gesorgt, dass es uns gut geht.

Such a nice camp, and a friendly family atmosphere! The surf lessons were great and the beach we went to was perfect for beginners and intermediates. Claire also brings tea and biscuits to the beach in the afternoon which is really lovely! The lodges bring people together, and we often went for dinners, caught the sunsets or went out partying together. I made some great friends while I was there and would definitely go back! 🥰

Very good vibes, very organized and clean lodge, they responded very fast to whatever I asked

I had an amazing time at the camp. Claire, Duncan and family were super welcoming and all lovely people. They made each person feel very at home and learned everyone’s name.

The beach was amazing for surfing and the instructors were great. I loved every minute.

The lodge itself was clean and easy to live in. The beds were comfortable. It is an intimate environment and you get to know the other surfers really well. It felt like a big family! I had so, so much fun.

My partner and I surfed for the first time this summer. It was a pleasure to get to know the rest of the group - coming from all over the world. Duncan, Clair and the whole family were great hosts. Overall, we really enjoyed surfing and made quick progress in the water. The lodge was clean and we had everything we needed :-) Would recommend!

I loved the atmosphere, Claire and Duncan are very friendly hosts and create an excellent experience.

- My group at the lodge felt like a family.

- Being taught by such amazingly good surfers as Dane and Duncan.

- Opportunity to progress - waves all day every day (pretty much)

Recommended for everyone, who wants to get in contact with new people and want to surf.

The Lodge is amazing. Not in a luxury way, but in a cozy way. Every day new people arriving, others leaving. That makes every single day special, just because of the character from that overall nice guys and girls.

Very good concept, what gives a feeling of freedom for an amazing price.

As a total novice surfer, I was a little nervous about going to a surf camp. But I needn't have worried because everyone involved with Peniche Surf Lodge made the experience an awesome one!

My expectations of my surfing were pretty low but to be able to stand up on the first lesson was such a great feeling. Just have to keep working on my pop up technique now!

Thanks to Claire, Duncan, Dane and Felipe for making my introduction to surfing an excellent one.

I really enjoyed my stay at the lodge, everyone was incredibly friendly and fun.

The surfing was amazing; all of the instructors gave their best for the students and even though we were quite a few beginners, they took their time for feedback and tips.

Since we were allowed to use all the equipment also in the afternoon, there was a lot of time to practice on your own as well.

I’m very glad to have made my first surfing experiences at such a wonderful place!

Thank you so much :)

I came alone and was welcomed into a group like an old friend and family member. I learned to surf thanks to Duncan he got me to progress from a beginner up to intermediate and surfing on top of unbroken green waves. It's really a dream come true. Dane is an incredible world class surfer and was amazing to get coaching and to be out in the line up receiving direction and encouragement from him. He even did a 360 surfing on a wave next to me, what a thrill ! No matter how fit you are you'll come back fitter and stronger and get some solid lessons in a small group.

It was a fun time and they managed to get everyone up on the board on the first day already. When we came back home you could always recognize someone was there to clean the bathroom und the rubbish so it never felt dirty or something… also when they came back to the beach in the afternoon they brought cookies and tea which was so nice!

The location is great, close to the ocean, the lodge is nice and the wifi is great! One of the participants did the welcoming for me, normally it's not like that, in my opinion the owner should do the welcoming.

Cried like a little baby when I had to leave here, because I really felt like being part of a cool beach family for a little bit. Claire is so sweet and caring. Duncan provides the baddest beats and enriches your vocab with words of the day ('critique' was my fav) and Dane is that annoying older brother you never had (thankfully). Such a good mix of people at the hostel as well, and I definitely got some good advice on how to improve my surfing.

Never surfed before and with super professional guidance from Duncan and Dane, managed to jump on the board and catch my first waves. The vibe, ambience, lodge and people there were absolutely amazing. Huge thanks to Claire, Duncan and Dane for creating such a wonderful surfing resort and sharing this family experience. This option is perfect for solo travellers or groups, with/without equipment - you will enjoy it for sure.

The Halls are a beautiful family who make everyone feel welcome in their camp. We had a mix of young people solo travelling/ with friends and families during my time here - and everyone was catered for wonderfully. The lodge is in amazing condition and always clean, and the quality of the surf lessons is really really great. I cannot recommend this camp enough - we will be back for sure

I had the best time at the Surflodge. I'm Solotraveling and it felt like a home away from home. I'm sure I will be back!!!

Friendly family making an excellent surf camp with all of their heart. Also great for first time surfers. They teach you how to surf, create a friendly environment and the opportunity to meet new people and create a team from us all at the same time.

I really liked the surf camp because of the friendly and cozy vibe overall. Claire and Duncan took care of us from the beginning until the end. I really appreciated the surf sessions with Dane who taught us a lot and made us feel always at ease.

I would definitely come back, and I recommend it without a dobut.

Exchange with people from all over the world; experiences sharing from instructors, and of course, enjoy the adverturous sports with 'threats' from waves.

Hi Duncan, Claire and Dane! Thank you for an excellent first time surf camp experience! It was amazing; all the positive reviews I read on this website prior to my trip about the Peniche Surf Lodge are completely true. Surf lessons, accommodation and all top level services. A family business with soul and heart. I'm already looking forward to my next surftrip; you have certainly contributed to the passion I gained for surfing.

The surfing. I had previously learnt an incorrect technique and Duncan and Dane did an awesome job of tweaking my style to get me up on the board. By the end of a week, I was riding a wave. Really helpful guidance and advice. You could really tell they were invested in our progress and wanted to see us do well.

The lodge - lovely, clean, really nice space that promotes mingling.

The people - all the other guests I had the pleasure of meeting were wonderful. I'm so glad I joined this camp. I can imagine other camps are filled with partying all the time and this was the perfect mix of surfing and exploring with having a good time.

The food - always plenty of fruit, bread, butter, milk, cereal in the pantry/fridge for us to use for breakfast. There was tea and biscuits after the surf and it was just the perfect pick me up.

Such a great experience, beyond everything what I expected!

I stayed only one week at the lodge, but it felt like a month. :D

Besides the lovely, interesting and very funny owner family Claire, Duncan and Dane I met so many great people from all over the world, nearly died of laughter, made huge progresses in surfing and discovered pretty nice places in Peniche! The beach is wonderful and the conditions for beginners are perfect. As well as the lessons, which are professional, but at the same time chill, funny and empathic.

The cozy lodges have everything you need for your stay and Peniche has everything you need for your free time, if you like it chilled (April/May).

So, no surprise, that I cant't wait to come back!

Thank you so much, Claire, Duncan and Dane. :)

Friendly and accommodating, with great energy. They love the sea and nature and it you can see this is not a job but a lifestyle to them.

Clean, comfortable and spacious lodge. Could feel the family vibes! Surf instructors were attentive and excited to see their students progress. All around great people running this place! 100% returning here next time I get the itch to surf!

The hosts were super nice!

I liked very comfortable accommodation, clean and cozy room really.

Also I liked maximum surfing scheme with all-day beach camp for rest and fun. You can surf as much as you want. Dane is amazing surfer! Duncan, Claire and Dane are also very friendly and positive people.

Super happy with my stay. Duncan and Claire created a place that makes feeling at home very easy. Its not realy a hostel like feeling rather than sharing an appartment with friends.

It was the first time surfing in Portugal for me, which is why I was looking for some guidance. Duncan and Dane really did a great job here, choosing spots, organizing transport and material and giving good advice in the water. Absolutely recommended!

I'd recommend this surf camp to anyone. The instructors were great and you fit in a TON of surf over the week. By the end, I was catching green waves on my own after having surfed only a couple times previously :)

But more importantly, I'd recommend PSL because of the hosts. They're truly the loveliest people and the atmosphere they create is just so friendly and relaxed. Claire and Duncan are both so great to talk to and you feel like you're home from day one.

Such a wonderful holiday in Peniche, thank you so much Claire, Duncan, and Dane. I felt like I was part of the family, and had the best time. The accommodation was so clean and cosy, surfing was an absolute blast, and I met so many kind and friendly people. A perfect place for a solo female traveller. Claire also arranged airport transfers, so the whole trip was completely worry-free! One of my best vacations yet!

The experience exceeded all of my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warmth and kindness from Claire and Duncan, who went out of their way to make sure I felt right at home.

The lodge itself is cozy and comfortable, with a relaxed atmosphere that immediately put me at ease. The rooms are spacious and clean, with everything I needed for a comfortable stay. And the location is simply unbeatable - right in the heart of Peniche, with easy access to all the best surf spots and attractions the city has to offer.

But what really made my stay at Peniche Surf Lodge so special was the people. I had the opportunity to meet some truly wonderful individuals from all over the world, and I came away with memories and friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime.

And let's not forget the surf lessons! The instructors were top-notch, patient and encouraging, and they really helped me improve my skills in the water. Whether you're a seasoned surfer or a complete beginner, you'll find something to love about the lessons here.

Overall, I can't recommend Peniche Surf Lodge highly enough. If you're looking for a welcoming, comfortable place to stay in Peniche, with excellent surf lessons and a great community of people, this is the place for you. I'll definitely be coming back!

I had such a wonderful week in Peniche. I was a solo traveller and did not know what to expect but I would highly recommend this for anyone who is travelling alone and looking for a fun, social, family vibe. It is such a great place to learn to surf. I had virtually no surfing experience and I am quite nervous about strong waves and the ocean in general. Duncan, Dane and Rico were each incredible at supporting me and encouraging me as much as possible. They are all highly qualified and very knowledgable and they know exactly what I needed. I definitely felt a lot more comfortable being the ocean by the end of the trip which is a win for me! The lodge was clean and the other guests were friendly as well as tidy/clean. Claire was brilliant at responding to any queries! Everyone was very enthusiastic about surfing and keen to progress with their surfing. It was a surf camp for all levels so no one felt left out. I would definitely come again :)

It was so nice and friendly

I visited the surf hostel a few weeks ago and its been the best experience I've had learning to surf (been to around 3 other spots over the years), great hostel and value for money and a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The surf lessons were great, Claire, Duncan and Rico were all fab and made you feel at home annnd its a beautiful area, could not recommend highly enough, will be back very soon!

Claire, Duncan, Dane and Rico were all so lovely. Friendly, welcoming and really helpful with so many things. Amazing surf lessons and free surf time. The lodge was clean and really well stocked. I had one of the private rooms with ensuite and it was perfect for me. There was a second kitchen downstairs which I wasn’t expecting!

There were loads of different surf areas really close by to suit all levels.

I had the best time with so many different people of all ages and nationalities.

Loved everything about it.

I’ll be back 🏄‍♀️

From the very first day I had a really great time at the Hostel and especially while surfing. Claire and Dane are amazing hosts and made me feel welcome and at home right from the start. Dane and Duncan are also truly talented teachers so I could learn a lot from them. The whole atmosphere was really warm and welcoming: driving in the car together to the best surfing spots, having tea and cookies after the afternoon session and sometimes even homemade bananabread. All in all it was a great experience spending so much quality time with all those nice people and spending a lot of time in the sea.

I would recommend everyone to go there because it was one of the best holidays I've ever had! :)

Everything was amazingly organized, great place to start surfing. The house was super cozy and everyone gets to connect on a personal level with the other guests as well as the owners, Claire and Duncan. I would recommend it to everyone and possibly coming back myself to improve!

Peniche surf lodge was one of my favorite places to stay, I can highly recommend it!

Duncan and Claire are the heart and soul of this place and you can see how much love and effort they put in making it a lovely home away from home for everyone who stays :)

The Lodge itself and the rooms were very clean and cozy with a nice big kitchen and common area to lounge around together.

Peniche itself has great beaches, coastlines and nice local bars and restaurants.

In the mornings Duncan picked us up and drove us to different beaches were we had our surf lessons with either Duncan or Rico. Both were very patient and attentive with newbies like me, so everyone could learn the proper technique, progress and get hooked on surfing!

In the afternoon we went out for another session where we could practice and most of the times Duncan joined us in the water and looked out for us, which made it a very safe space to practice individually. Claire made a lovely beach camp with umbrellas and wind breakers so we could also take breaks and nap in the sun. Claire and Duncan always had tea and Cookies prepared for the end of every day, so we could all gather together, share some lovely chats, banter and get to know each other more :)

I met some great people from all places who were also solo traveling during my stay. We cooked, went out together and even had a movie night so by the end it felt like one big family!

Thank you so much for the amazing time and hope to see you again soon!

I just want to thank Duncan Claire and Rico for the great experience the atmposphere is relaxed the lodge is wonderful and both owners and other guests are wonderful people! We will meet again guys 🤙🤙

Got to be some of the friendliest people ever. So welcoming and couldn't do enough for us while we where there.

The lodges were very well kept along with the surf equipment.

The instructors were so knowledgeable and passionate about surfing and Peniche.

Once in a lifetime trip where you could surf everyday without worrying about the outside world.

The lodge was beautiful and clean and the lessons were so fun. I learned so much about surfing and Peniche is a lovely little spot to unwind and catch some waves. Great family run place with good student to teacher ratio as well

Would definitely recommend this surf camp to anyone. Nothing bad to say. The lodge is so cozy

Staying at the lodge was an amazing experience, Claire, Dane and Duncan have created this space with all their heart and they made all of us feel like home. It’s the perfect place to make new friendship, creating good memories and discovering the surfing world. Be careful, once you’re there you won’t want to go home!

It is rare to find such caring and communicative hosts as Claire and Duncan!

I felt at home in the Lodge right away, as it is a super comfy place, the people were great and they always found us a good place to surf. Lessons were personal in small groups, unlike other surfschools I have seen in Peniche. The tea and cookies after surfing were the cherry on the cake ;)

I really recommend staying here!

Great atmosphere, instruction and facilities. Would definitely go again:)

Claire, Duncan and Dane are a really sweet family that work really hard. They keep the place really clean, pour their heart in their lessons, and take good care of the guests. I was sick when I was there and Claire went to the store to buy me soup. You don’t get that often.

The atmosphere at the lodge is really smooth. Everyone that is there want to surf for real.

I highly recommend this place.

Great Camp with plenty of surfing. Lessons are in the morning and free surf in the afternoon. Equipment and transportation is provided for both, and Duncan makes sure to take you to the spot with the best conditions in town. Lodge is located close to grocery stores and other restaurants.

Perfect for solo traveling as you'll meet many like minded people and get to hang out as a group all week.

Claire, Duncan and Dane are really friendly and helpful. Nothing was ever too much trouble. The accommodation, surf lessons, equipment rental and transport was all great. Missing Peniche already!

Really nice place, well managed. You have the possibility to surf in the morning with an instructor and in the afternoon independently. By practicing twice a day, improvements are seen quickly. In peniche the waves are really good, a great place to practice. Claire, Dan and Duncan were always helpful friendly and great instructors

The family makes you feel instantly welcome at the lodge and takes care of their guests in- and outside the water. Duncan and Dane are experienced surf instructors who are able to convey their love for surfing and made my first time surfing a success. The accommodation itself is cozy and clean and offers a relaxing atmosphere to spend time with other guests, perfect also for solo travellers. All in all I had a truly amazing time surfing and staying at the Peniche Surf Lodge!

The lodges are spotless clean. The Family goes above and beyond to make your trip the best it can be. They take you in as one of their own. Can't thank them enough for the help in surfing, helping organis or trip and just helping in general, we are a family of 4, wife who doesn't surf, but was made more then welcome, a 17yr 14yr and 47yr we all loved it and was more then looked after. Will be going back.

I loved how friendly Claire, Duncan and Dane were. Dane and Duncan were amazing and experienced instructors in the water and made you feel like you were improving everyday with surfing. The lodge felt like home and it was a lovely place to stay.

Peniche Surf Lodge is an amazing surf camp with a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Claire, Duncan and Dane are incredibly kind and supportive, and they provide a personal and laid-back experience. I felt challenged and supported in my efforts to catch some good waves. Overall, I would absolutely recommend Peniche Surf Lodge to anyone looking for a fun and relaxing surf trip.

Warm-hearted, amazing positive spirit, cared for everyone, best instructors and all around best surf and hosting experience

It was my first time surfing so I was very nervous, however Claire assured me before I came that there were other beginners. I was taught by both Dane and Duncan and I enjoyed every lesson! They both pushed me and believed in me and I’m so proud of my progress. The house itself has a warm feeling and from the first night the other surfers and I were having family dinners together. Great family business, would recommend to any level of surfer. Can’t wait to go back!

Thank you, it's been nice meeting you guys. Laura

We have visited different beaches every day, bad weather did not stop us for having surf classes. Private room on the top floor of the lodge was very comfortable and quite. Atmosphere is very friendly. Kitchen has all the facilities to prepare own meals.

Duncan, Dane and Claire are running a nice surf hostel/guest house + surf school that is going above and beyond to make sure you have a good surf trip. 2 surf sessions a day will get you plenty of surfing, and there will always be something that kinda works.

Everyone was so kind and welcoming. We really enjoyed our stay there. The room was perfect, very nicely decorated and clean. Dane was an excellent instructor, he was very helpful and could understand easily our weaknesses in surfing and help us improve. We had a lot of fun while surfing I thing I caught the best waves of my life so far ☺️Duncan and Claire are awesome too. I feel very lucky to have picked this surf camp and met these people ✌🏽🌊🏄🏼‍♀️I hope I will come back again one day 😁

Amazing surf camp the hostel is more like a house and the family takes really good care of it.

The surfing is a lot of fun and the instructors actually get you in the water and definitely know what they’re doing. Absolutely recommend

Duncan, Dane, and Claire provided an amazing week of surfing for an intermediate looking for the best waves in Peniche. They have a great selection of boards to suit all ability levels, take you out twice a day, check multiple spots to optimize conditions, and surf alongside you to provide feedback in the water. It’s an incredibly personal, laid-back atmosphere that only comes from a family-run business like this, and made for a great week in Peniche. Highly recommend to folks looking for some fun relaxing surf!

- warm atmosphere that Claire and Duncan created: I had a feeling that I was visiting my relatives :) Thank you very much for that!

- Super cool surf lessons from Dane with attention to every surfer

- Comfortable room

- Nice and cozy Beach Camp

Everything was on the highest level. It was my firs adventure in surfing. Dane and Duncan are very funny, Claire is very nice. I higly recommend to people who is going to Peniche and want to spend the time cheerfully and usefully.

We had a great time at the lodge. Everything is arranged that all ages are welcome, you can travel with friends or alone and you will make friends. To have fun is the aim - and we had a lot. In Peniche you still find spots that are run by their owners with love - pubs, restaurants and surf camps: the Peniche Surf Lodge is one them. Go there, if you want to relax - while waiting for your wave!

Homely atmosphere, friendly team and good surf instructors, high quality Lodge.

The surfing lessons were brilliant with groups split into beginners and intermediates so there was something for every level, Dane was a fantastic teacher and incredibly knowledgeable. Clair and Duncan were also an absolute pleasure. The hostle is clean and well kept and everyone staying there was kind and considerate. There is also lots to do in the evening in peniche with great resteraunta and bars.. Will 100 percent be returning.

Very personal and individual touch, warm welcome and incredible people hosting this place.

It was my first experience of surfing and being a part of the camp. I really enjoyed it and will definitely come back to continue improving my surfing skills but also meeting again the people who have made it so unforgettable ❤️ thank you Claire, Duncan and Dave !

Ich habe mir leider beim surfen meinen Fuß gebrochen.

Claire hat sich sehr lieb um mich gekümmert und ich konnte Peniche auch ohne surfen genießen.

Vielen Dank für eure Unterstützung!

The Hall family have created something very special in this corner of the world and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to begin their surfing adventure or refine their skills.

The organisation is first class and runs like a well oiled machine with the guys finding great spots to surf and able to quickly work out where you can improve.

The lodge itself provides the perfect environment to socialise with the rest of the guests and hang out after an amazing day. The lodge is cleaned daily so is kept in spotless condition.

Can’t recommend this place enough, and looking forward to go back next year already!

Thank you Claire, Duncan and Dane.

We had a lot of fun with surfing. Also enjoyed to meet nice and interesting ppl.

Duncan and Dane are both very patiently when they teach surfing.

One of the best trips I ever had. Thanks again. Looking forward to com back again 😍

I'm really happy that I stayed in Peniche Surf Lodge. I've really enjoyed surfing lessons and made significant progress. Claire, Duncan and Dane cared for everything. Accommodation was very comfortable. It was really amazing time for me - for sure I will visit again :)

Beautiful place! Amazing people! Inspiring instructors! Quality accommodation! Thanks to Claire, Duncan and Dane!

Claire, Dane and Duncan did a fantastic job getting us to the right beaches, waves and restaurants! As beginners, the surf was a bit challenging for us, but Dane and Duncan were great at teaching and motivating us to keep trying. Peniche is a lovely town that has everything you need during a camp like this – and Claire knows just where to point you if you are looking for good food or some entertainment. We really enjoyed our stay!

Everything was good. Structured surf lessons with good instructors, and always some tweaks about how to improve your surfing. A good way of huddling up people from all around the world, with a cozy camp at the beach. Living quarters was very good as well, nice and firm beds. The distance to the "main city" and bars in the area was also very good.

I would recomend this for people who travel alone for the first time in their lives - you really get to try it in a safe environment, where there are always people to talk with.

The people here had such a good vibe.

You won't get a usual in and out school experience but rather a genuine and holistic experience with really good teaching in the surf lessons. Definitely a great stay if you want to improve your surfing skills and meet people.

The Lodge is run by the Hall family who have years of experience of hosting surf camps in Peniche but also professional surfing. Claire and Duncan take care of your stay while Dane gives well phased, helpful and personal guidance during the lessons depending on your skill level.

Accommotadion was neat and clean in an easily accessible location. A bit longer walk away from the Baleal beach but within an easy distance from the town's acitivities (restaurants, clubs, bars/cafes) and sights. Things were taken care of very naturally and properly from gear maintenance stuff to rides to the beach..

The overall experience of accommodation for 7 nights + 5 surf lessons was absolutely great and time went fast. Smashed some waves, had plenty of fun. Couldn’t have asked for more.

Would absolutely go again!

A truly pleasant surfing experience. You could really tell that the Hall family aren't just after your money. They are simply sharing their idillic surfing lifestyle with likeminded people. It felt like staying with friends or family who were making sure we had a great time both on and outside the beach. On average we spent around 5-6 hours on the beach every day. 1-2h of that time was a guided surf lesson and during the rest of the time we could surf even more, chill in our beach homebase (umbrellas, towels, sunscreen, snacks, wind guards, different types of surfboards and good company) or explore our surroundings. Another great thing was that we weren't stuck to a single beach, the coaches checked the weather conditions and drove us to the best location every day. Now I understand why a large portion of the visitors are regulars. Definitely would like to come back.

Thank you, Duncan, Dane & Claire!

With love,

The Latvians

I've been to surf camps/lodges all over the world over the past ~15 years. Peniche Surf Lodge is absolutely one of the best. Common issues with these camps are that the instructors aren't able to provide much 1:1 instruction or actual helpful guidance, the board selection is terrible, and there's not a lot of variability in wave type. You will not have any issue with any of those things at Peniche. Dane and Duncan are top-notch surf coaches. Great attitudes, super-specific and helpful instruction, goal-oriented. I'm an intermediate surfer and felt like I have been plateauing, with these guys, I improved on my surfing every day. They have a huge selection of boards. From foam, to epoxy, to fiberglass. Longboards, shortboards, pintails, quad fish...I'm pretty sure if they don't have it they'd find it for you somehow. Lastly, between the conditions in Peniche and the knowledge of the local area they will find waves for you. The one day we didn't have waves (we did it was just insanely windy) during the two weeks I was there Duncan took everyone out for a longboard skate session which was super fun and helped with our turning skills.

On top of all of that, they get a lot of return customers, and it really feels like you're part of a family. The lodge is super comfortable and social. I made a lot of friends there and one night Duncan drove us to one of their favorite local restaurants for an incredible meal. Great people, great surfing, incredible time. I'll be back for sure!