Enter Portugal

Facing out towards the powerful winds of the Atlantic ocean, and with good weather throughout the year, the Algarve is regarded as being the best natural surf coastline in Europe.

The wide variety of surf spots accomodates surfers with different levels of experience, there are classic big hollow waves, but also gentler spots, more sheltered from the winds for less advanced surfers.

The beaches of Amado, Carrapateira, Carriagem, Castelejo, Lagos, Mareta, Monte Clerigo, Playa Azul, Praia de Falésia, Praia da Rocha and Praia de Faro are popular with beginner and intermediate surfers.

Arrifana, Beliche, Praia do Ponta Ruiva, Praia Zavial, Sagres and Tonel tend to be regarded as more suitable for more experienced surfers.

Nomad Surfers

Nomad Surfers have been providing boardriding holidays since 1995, offering custom made vacations to some of the best surf spots in the Algarve.
www.nomadsurfers.com

Atlantic Riders

The Algarve based Surf Camp is tucked away in a private valley surrounded by Cork Oaks and Eucalypt trees, Atlantic Riders offer surf courses for all levels.
www.atlanticriders.com

Algarve Surf & Yoga Retreat

A great place to surf, practice yoga and relax, the Algarve Surf & Yoga Retreat is located in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, offering programmes for nature lovers.
www.surfalgarve.com

Algarve Surf School

With camps in Carrapateira and Sagres Algarve Surf School offers 1 week and 2 week long surfing packages with lessons that can be tailored to individuals requirements.
www.algarvesurfschool.com

The Surf Experience

Located 10 minutes from Lagos town centre, the Surf Experience offers surf holidays for beginner to advanced surfers and will take you to the best spots for your ability.
www.thesurfexperience.eu

Extreme Algarve Surf Camp

Extreme Algarve are about getting you maximum time in the water and through our lessons, the best attention to detail in helping you progress to a fully fledged surfer.
www.extremealgarve.com

Surfer Dream

With camps in Sagres and the Carrapateira beach Surfer Dream can show you worldclass point and beach breaks at some of the most consistent surf spots.
www.surferdream.com

The Surf Experience

A mix of qualified English and Aussie know how with 65 years of combined knowledge. The crew have explored Portugal's most south western point to find the best waves on offer.
www.surf-experience.com

Faro international airport provides easy access to the Algarve coast, although surfers who want to take in the whole of the Portuguese coastlines surf spots often start further in the north, driving down the coast from Porto or Lisbon. Along this coastal route are internationally famous beaches, such as Ericeira, which plays host to summer surf festivals that attract musicians and party-goers from around the world.

The ISA world championships were successfully hosted in Portugal in 2007 and the ASP world tour regularly passes through surf spots in the country.

With a long-established surf culture in Portugal, visitors find it a friendly environment. Local surfers are happy to give their own recommendations of the best places to surf at different times of the year and the local bars, restaurants and hotels are generally accommodating to visiting surfers.

The Algarve's popularity as a tourist destination means that English is widely spoken here. Whilst some beaches become very packed during the summer months, and especially during weekends in August when the whole of Portugal is on holiday, visitors are often suprised at just how quiet many beaches are during the spring and late-summer. Time your trip for May, June or September and you're likely to find excellent weather and uncrowded surf spots for less money than the peak summer season.