8 Day Beginner and Intermediate Surf Camp in Bensafrim, Lagos, Portugal
Surf Holidays Done Differently in Portugal
Tiny Whale Surf believe the majority of surf holidays are broken with too many students and/or too many different levels mixed in one group. It’s not Tiny Whale Surf's thing to chase the ‘surfer lifestyle’. They believe surfing can feed the mind, body, and soul, and they make that rare holiday count with a personalized and holistic approach to surf coaching.
Highlights
- 5 carefully structured surfing days
- ISA Level Two coaching based on your individual surfing goals
- Daily video coaching, surf and ocean theory, and pool technique lessons
- Transport to the best beaches each day and all the surf equipment you'll need
- 7 healthy breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 delicious two-course dinners
- 7 nights accommodation
- Surf-inspired yoga session
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Styles
Accommodation
Our lodge is the perfect place to relax and forget all about work and deadlines. This is not your regular surf camp. Our cozy shared rooms, large spacious private ensuite rooms, glamping safari tents and tiny Bird Cabins have all the facilities you'd need. Let us serve you tea and cakes after your surf, and then a pre-dinner cocktail or aperitif around our fire pit before replenishing your energy with a delicious home-cooked 2-course meal from our in-house chef.
Check-in
You can arrive at the lodge any time on your check-in day and make use of the communal facilities. Your room will be ready around 4pm. First activity is at 6pm, when we have a welcome drink and a brief welcome meeting followed by your Family Dinner night, a great way to meet your fellow campmates and get a healthy start for the week ahead.
Check Out
Check-out on Saturday will be 10 am - this is the time we need your rooms to be empty so we can prepare for our arrivals on the same day. You are welcome to hang out at the Lodge until 5 pm and make use of the communal areas.
Program
Tiny Whale Surf have thought hard about the best coaching, help, and advice beginner and intermediate surfers need to make rapid progress in the sport and designed their 'surfers handbook' so together with your surf coach you can easily measure your success and know what to focus on next. You'll receive personalized lessons in small groups, video coaching, theory sessions, in water coaching, and a whole lot more to leave at the end of the week with a new library of surf skills and knowledge you can use for the rest of your life.
The coaching team is a highly qualified bunch with a mixture of accolades like degrees in surf science, masters in coaching sports, and level 2 international surfing association coaching qualifications. Tiny Whale Surf has put together a tried and tested structure for coaching in small groups along with some fantastic tools using some of the latest technology in the sport. The focus is always on fun first but their aim is for you to finish the week with a huge range of skills and knowledge you never had before.
What to expect during your stay
For Tiny Whale Surf, the priority is planning your days around finding the best surf conditions for your level. They know you're on holiday and need some well-deserved rest and recuperation but they like to throw in a sunrise and sunset surf session at least once making your week something to remember.
Five days a week, two coaching sessions per day with always at least one surf session in the water. One of the sessions per day could be a video coaching session, surf theory session, pool session, or many more depending on what your group will be working on.
Rest days are on Wednesday. Take a look at some of the other things to do in the area during your free time.
Breakfast is normally served from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. depending on when the team aims to hit the beach. Lunch is served at the lodge, or you'll have a beach picnic on your surf days. Cocktails and aperitifs are served at 7 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. Don't worry, the meals are healthy and filling for hungry surfers.
Important note:
This surf camp is only for guests 18 years old and above.
Location
The lodge is situated in a unique peaceful countryside setting near Lagos town, Portugal. The Algarve is slowly being recognized as one of the world's top five SUP destinations. Boasting two unbeatable coastlines, plus a variety of lakes, rivers, and lagoons, there's something to please everyone. Jaw dropping flat water paddling locations, perfect teaching conditions, and world-class surf make this an unforgettable spot.
Surf conditions
Surf spot:
Algarve
Monthly wave size
Monthly water temperature
Features
Activities
- Diving
- Horse riding
- Hot tub / Jacuzzi
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Massage
- Mountain biking
- Rock climbing
- Sailing
- Sauna
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Wine tasting
- Windsurfing
General
- Concierge desk
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Hammock
- Lounge
- Poolside bar
Services
- Free Wi-Fi
Food
During your stay, you will be provided with seven healthy breakfasts, five beach or lodge lunches, and five delicious two-course evening meals at the lodge, cooked by the in-house chef utilizing fresh, local produce.
All diets can be catered for with prior arrangements. When you need to unwind, they also have their outdoor bar open in the evening with snacks and drinks available to purchase at the bar for a small cost.
Not included:
Tuesday night dinner in Lagos. Tiny Whale Surf will take the group into the city for a reservation at a local restaurant. This evening is at your expense and totally optional.
Wednesday is your free day, we provide breakfast in the morning and after this Tiny Whale Surf encourage guests to go out for the day and explore the local area. There is no lunch and evening meal provided on this day but ask them for local restaurant recommendations.
Breakdown of meals
- Saturday - Family style dinner at 7 p.m. As people arrive at various times Tiny Whale Surf does not provide lunch. If you arrive early they suggest heading into Lagos to enjoy one of the many cafes and restaurants
- Sunday - Breakfast, lunch (at the lodge or beach), dinner
- Monday - Breakfast, lunch (at the lodge or beach), dinner
- Tuesday - Breakfast, lunch (at the lodge or beach), dinner in Lagos! Please note This evening is at your expense and totally optional.
- Wednesday - Breakfast - as this is your resting day Tiny Whale Surf encourage guests to go and explore the local area and try many of the restaurants and cafes Lagos and surrounding areas offer! Let them know if you would like any recommendations. Please note there is no dinner included this evening.
- Thursday - Breakfast, lunch (at the lodge or beach), dinner
- Friday - Breakfast, lunch (at the lodge or beach), BBQ night
- Saturday - Breakfast - Tiny Whale Surf does not provide lunch. If you stay late, they suggest heading into Lagos to enjoy one of the many cafes and restaurants.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Lactose Free
Things to do (optional)
- Deep tissue massage
- Physiotherapy session
- Wine tasting
- Extra surf lesson
- Stand up paddle boarding
- Wakeboarding
What's included
- 5 carefully structured days surfing with our ISA level 2 coaches based on your individual surfing goals
- 2 surf skate sessions
- Your own surf coach for the week, teaching in a 1 to 4 coach to student ratio or less
- Daily video coaching or surf theory sessions
- All the surf equipment you'll need
- Transport to the best beaches each day
- 5 beach picnics for your surf days at the beach
- 5 delicious 2-course evening meals at our lodge from our in-house chef
- 7 healthy breakfasts
- 7 nights accommodation of your choice - forget surf camps and think luxury ski chalet!
- 1 surf-inspired yoga session
- WIFI available in all bedrooms
- Daily tea, coffee, and cakes back at the lodge after your surf sessions
- Use of all surf lodge facilities including pool, jacuzzi, garden, etc
- Optional deep tissue massage to relax and restore
- Tiny Whale's experienced team on hand
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- 2 optional evening meals during the week where we visit a local restaurant
- Drinks are available to purchase at the lodge bar for a small cost
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Faro Airport
65 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Faro Airport (FAO). Transfer from and to this airport is not included in the package but can be arranged for an extra cost. Please provide Tiny Whale Surf with your flight details at least 3 days before arrival/departure. All transfers operate 24 hours per day. If you are bringing your own board, you need to book a Private Mini Bus.
- Private taxi: from Faro: 2 spaces per taxi - 109 EUR each way
- Private Minibus: from Faro: 6 pax - 129 EUR each way, from Lisbon: 6 pax - 479 EUR each way
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookSurfCamps.com. All major credit cards supported.