- Description
-
Always wanted to visit Europe and wanted to experience surfing on this continent? Vale Figueiras surf camp in Algarve, Portugal is a very friendly place to stay - great food, friendly surf guides, lots of parties, new and comfortable accommodation, proximity to some of Portugal's best surf breaks, beautiful scenery...
It consists of two nice country-style surf houses surrounded by scenery of Alentejo Natural Park - right next to well-renowned Vale Figueiras beach, one of the best beach breaks in Portugal. Whether you are a beginner needing to learn the basics; an intermediate who wants to work on some skills; or an experienced surfer ready to rip, the staff there will help you find your preferred wave so you can make the most of your surf trip to Portugal.
The south-western part of Portugal, where the camp is nestled, is one of the best surf locations in Europe and this coastline offers good surfing conditions all-year-round, regardless of wind conditions. Next to the beach breaks there are reef breaks as well for experienced surfers and the wave size and quality ranges from average to epic. Natural beauty and sunny climate add to your Portugal surfing experience.
- Accommodation
-
The surf camp consists of:
- A new modern surfhouse with 9 double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms (perfect for families or couples).
- An atmospheric traditional Portuguese country-style surfhouse (one dorm for 8 people, one dorm for 4 people and a house for 6) and bungalows (double, triple and quadruple share possible).
Other surf camp amenities include:
- Satellite TV, DVD to watch movies and surf videos.
- Free WIFI internet access.
- Snooker table.
- Wood stove which makes it very cosy on cool winter nights.
- Bicycles and horses - available to discover the area.
- Moroccan chillout tent.
- Bar with plenty of Sagres Beer.
- Volleyball net at the beach.
Food:Breakfast is at the house, lunch packs for the beach, and dinner is back at the surf house. Every Wednesday, you will have dinner at one of the best restaurants in the area (not included in the price). The surfhouse also has its own kitchen and wood oven to make homemade bread and pizzas. The staff often go fishing and collecting sea food, so get ready for tasty dinners! - Activities
-
Surfing
The qualified surf guide / coach will take you to the best surf spots of the day, depending on your skills and the sea conditions. Beginners will receive all necessary instruction and lessons before they start surfing on their own.
The Southwestern tip of the Algarve is a wild and uncrowded stretch of coast yet only minutes away from the famous resorts of Lagos and Sagres, both with plenty of nightlife. It is a surfing destination unrivaled anywhere in Europe and unique in the way that it will give you a genuine taste of surfing lifestyle. The Western coast is one of the major surfing destinations for serious surfers from around the globe as the long Atlantic rollers sweeping onto the west coast beaches offer ideal surfing conditions. Wave size and quality range from average to epic, with an assortment of reefs and beach breaks.
The Algarve is also the warmest place in Portugal and the most touristic one, with plenty of night attractions. The surf itself is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with steep reddish cliffs, wide sandy beaches and no real estate developments or seaside resorts in sight. The whole area is protected and part of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park. The access to the beaches is usually by dirt tracks twisting through spectacular scenery.
Regarded by many surfers as Europe's great hidden secret for surfing for both beginners and experts, Sagres offers you blue skies, crystal clear waters and uncrowded waves. Thanks to its unique location on Europe’s southwestern-most cape, Sagres enjoys the best of both coasts, Southern and Western, always providing a surfing alternative according to the swell and within a maximum thirty minute drive. The West Coast receives swells from the north and southeast. This coast has consistent waves throughout the year and a variety of point breaks, mostly sandy. The South Coast receives swells from the south and large swells from the west. This region is not only known for its natural beauty but also the quality, perfection and consistency of its waves in winter.
Seasons
From May till October, when the swell is small and waves gentle, the surf guides take you to the chosen beach of the day in the West coast, usually good beach breaks. In winter from October till May, when the swells are bigger, surfaris involve more driving and much more adventure, and an entire new dimension opens up in the South Coast, including secret spots... In this season, surfaris for beginners, intermediate and experienced surfers are much more exciting and you will be able to explore many different beaches along the entire Southern Coast from Sagres to Lagos. While the west coast can be maxing out, there is beautiful beaches on the south coast breaking perfect glassy head-high waves. e.g. Mareta, Barranco, Zavial, Ingrina, Cabanas Velhas, Rocha Negra, Burgao, Meia Praia, Furnas, Portimao etc.
Surf Courses
Before you start any exercise, the instructor spends 15 minutes of theory in the sand to explain what the exercise will consist of.
Total Beginners:
Introduction to waves without surfboards, introduction with the surfboard always laying down, practice balance, timing, exercises to get up on the board in and out of the water, stand up and balance position, left and right turns etc.Intermediates
Paddling, sitting on the board, turning direction while sitting, explosive paddling, paddle to the outside, techniques to pass the waves while paddling out (eskimo roll, etc), catching green waves with the help of the coach pushing, timing and reading of waves to know in which direction to paddle and when to get up, video analysis.Advanced
Introduction to shortboards. Duck dives, bottom turns, turn on the top (re-entry), trimming, tides, currents, introduction to reefs, getting in and out of the water, reading swell charts. Surfaris to secret spots. The coach will be video recording and will correct you with an analysis at the beach and also at the surfcamp.
Surf Guiding
A local surf guide will drive you to to the best surfbreaks of the area of each particular day depending on the swell and wind conditions. The guide will paddle out with you to the peak to introduce you to the local crowd. No problem with locals ... Some days it may be a reef, or even a lonely secret spot... only found if taken by a local.
Other Activities
There will be a yoga teacher and a massage therapist from March onwards.
Some Famous Spots
- Praia do Amado (West): Most famous surf spot. Large sandy beach with dunes ideal for beginners - this is where many surf schools do their teaching. Only holds up to two meters. Respect locals!
- Carrapateira/Bordeira (West): Adjacent to Praia do Amado. Splendid surf spot with sandy beach accessed through a lagoon surrounded by dunes. Perfect for beginners, but watch out for the undercurrent. Great left handers if the banks are on.
- Arrifana (West): North of Carrapateira, a scenic surf spot and beach showcased by a high cliff topped by a picturesque whitewashed village. Beach break, usually half the size of other west coast beaches - good when others are too big. To the right of the beach, you have a good right reef break, but it only breaks with at least 1.5 meter swell. Watch out for the "hamburger" or "Kangaroo" rock. Only for Kamikazes!
- Sagres (West/South): Europe's southwestern most point, this peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic to the south and the west, providing numerous surf spots and surfing options according to swell conditions.
- Meia Praia (Lagos), Portimao and Faro (South Coast): On the Algarve's southern coast. Surf spots with good breaks offering a good alternative to the western coast when the swell is too big there, or when the SE wind (Levante) blows.
- Pricing / Packages
-
- Price is per person, based on a double share, in AUD and subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.
- Single room suplement is 70 euro per week.
- 10% discount on second week's stay.
- Faro Airport pickup available for an extra charge.
- These are example packages. Package durations and inclusions can be adjusted to cater for your individual requirements. Please contact us for a tailored package to meet your needs.
- Please click "Enquire Here" to email us or call us on 1300 00WAVE to speak with one of our friendly consultants.
InclusionsSurf Camp
- Accommodation either in bungalow or new rooms.
- Full board - breakfast, lunch and dinner (6 dinners).
- 5 days surf course (Beginner, intermediate, advanced).
- Free surf on Saturday and Sunday.
- Transport to the beach.
- Surf material all day (surfboards, rashguards & wetsuits).
- Lagos bus station pick-up.
- Transport to Lagos and Sagres at night for partying.
- Check in and check out on SUNDAY (in high season).
Surfaris and Non-Surfers
- Accommodation either in bungalow or new rooms.
- Full board - breakfast, lunch and dinner (6 dinners).
- 5 days transport with local surfguide that will take you to the best spot of the day and paddle out with you - surfaris.
- No surf material included (rental available)
- Free surf on Saturday and Sunday.
- Lagos bus station pick-up.
- Transport to Lagos and Sagres at night for partying.
- Check in and check out on SUNDAY (in high season)
Disclaimer - This surf trip is an independent surf operator and is not part of or in partnership with The Perfect Wave Travel Co. The Perfect Wave acts as an agent only. We sell various travel related products on behalf of numerous transport, accommodation and other service providers, such as airlines, land based accommodation and boat charter operators. The Perfect Waves' obligation is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and travel service providers. The Perfect Wave has no responsibility for these services nor do we make or give any warranty of representation regarding their standards. All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these service providers.
- Testimonials
-
We’d love to hear your feedback! Please
to enter your testimonial of your holiday and your experience with The Perfect Wave.