Overview
Portugal's west coast is one of the world's great surf regions — Nazaré, home of the biggest wave ever surfed, is just up the coast — and Santa Cruz has around 20 beaches along 20 km of Atlantic shoreline. Surf Camp puts teenagers in the water every weekday of the two weeks, coached by a local surf school with over a decade of experience on this stretch of coast.
The instructors check tides, swell and sandbanks each day and pick the safest spot and best time for each group, so lessons — around three hours a day, Monday to Friday — work for complete beginners and experienced surfers alike. The main beach is a 15-minute walk from camp; boards, wetsuits and rash guards are provided. Afternoons and evenings are shared with the Adventure campers: beach olympics, pool parties, a talent show and International Night.
What's included
A day at camp
- Morning Surf session (around 3 hrs) — spot and timing chosen daily by the surf school to match tides and swell
- Midday Lunch, pool time, downtime
- Afternoon Whole-camp sign-up activities: longboarding, tennis, basketball, yoga, arts & crafts, beach volleyball
- Evening Themed evening programme — talent show, trivia night, sunset beach evening, International Night, disco
Where campers stay
Campers live in the Residence, a recently built building within Santa Cruz's Pousada da Juventude complex that is reserved exclusively for camp, about 15 minutes' walk from the beach and the town centre. Apartments are modern and spacious, sleeping four with en-suite bathrooms and balcony access, and campers are separated by age and gender. There's a large private swimming pool, sports courts, grassed gardens, two activity rooms for evenings, and on-site security.
Meals
Three meals a day plus a salad bar, with packed lunches on excursion days. Most dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
Excursions
More photos
Frequently asked questions
Does my teen need to surf already?
No — groups run from first-timers to advanced surfers, and the surf school places each camper at the right level.
How is this different from the Adventure Camp?
Same Santa Cruz site, same afternoons and evenings — but here every weekday is a surf lesson, rather than a different adventure activity each day.
Does this camp include English lessons?
No — this is an activity-first surf camp, not a language school. Camp life runs in English, with campers and counselors from around the world.
Are phones allowed?
Campers can bring one, but the camp strongly recommends leaving it at home. Phones are handed in on arrival and given back once a day during official free time; any further rules are explained on the first day. Worth knowing if you're comparing it against fully device-free programs, or ones with open phone use.
How do we get to Santa Cruz?
Fly into Lisbon Airport, about an hour's drive away. The camp runs escorted transfers from the airport for arrivals and departures between 09:00 and 19:00 — they're an optional extra, and we'll confirm the current price when you book.
What should they pack for surfing?
Surf sunscreen for the face, a beach towel and water shoes. Wetsuits are provided, though campers may bring their own. Pack some warm clothes too — evenings on the Atlantic coast can be cool.