With beautiful weather all year and jaw-dropping beaches, learning to surf with some of the best surf schools in the Algarve is the perfect way for a first foray into surfing and if you’ve already got a few sessions under your belt, it can also be a great area to take your surfing to the next level.

 

The Algarve is a great place to go for surfers all year round, especially beginner and intermediates, as it offers great weather, manageable surf and an intoxicating chilled out atmosphere in the towns, villages and in the picturesque countryside, which make for the perfect surf holiday.

 

So pick up a board and jump right in to the Portuguese waves, and with the best surf schools in the Algarve listed below, you’ll be hooked from your first ride!

 

 

1. Arrifana Surf School

Main surf beach: Arrifana.

Pick up point: Arrifana surf beach.

Lessons available: Beginner, intermediate, advanced and private lessons as well as surf guides.

Price: 1 days lesson including 2 sessions per day and all equipment is €50.

 

Arrifana Surf School is located on the Algarve’s south west coast, often thought of as Portugal’s most idyllic coastline, where you can find some of the countries best surf spots.

 

The consistent swell at Arrifana Beach is great for beginners, but can also pack a bit more of a punch on the lower tide that make it good for intermediate or the more advanced surfer, with more reef break spots just 10 minutes away by car.

 

The beaches in this area of the Algarve offer up something for everyone, with fantastic beach side amenities co-existing with the natural environment of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

 

2. Fil Surf School

Main surf beach: Praia do Amado and Praia do Amoreira.

Pick up point: Your accommodation.

Lessons available: Kids, beginner, intermediate, advanced and private lessons available.

Price: 1 days lesson including 2 sessions per day,all equipment and a packed lunch is €50.

 

Fil Surf School have all levels of surfing covered. Never set foot on a surf board before? No problem, you will learn everything from standing techniques, turning and finally paddling outside and how to catch unbroken waves.

 

If you are already pretty comfortable with your surf skills the instructors will take you further out and help you develop your technique on bigger waves as well as mastering more difficult tricks.

 

The surf school use their expert knowledge to find the days best spots and will have you standing up with a smile on your face in no time!

 

3. Extreme Algarve

Main surf beach: Maia Praia, Castalejo, Arrifana, Zavial, Cabanas and Porto de Mos.

Pick up point: Lagos.

Lessons available: Beginner and intermediate surf lessons.

Price: 1 days lesson,all equipment and a packed lunch is €55.

 

Extreme Algarve is one of the oldest and best surf schools in the Algarve, which has been running since 2005 and offesr a uniquely tailored surf experience.

 

Regardless of your ability, you’ll get the maximum time in the water with the instructors helping you to ride as many waves as possible, allowing you to progress as quick as possible, making the most out of your water time.

 

The highly skilled guides will teach you the different types of waves, how to spot rips and what to do if you get caught in them, tips about how to correct common mistakes, how to turn on waves and how to safely wipe out.

 

They also offer kite surf and SUP lessons, the latter being the perfect way to explore the nook and crannies of this unspoilt stretch of coastline.

 

4. Wavesensations Sagres Surf School

Main surf beach: Amado Beach and Praia da Cordoama.

Pick up point: Central meeting point.

Lessons available: Kids, beginner and intermediate surf lessons.

Price: 1 days lesson including 4 hours surfing and all equipment is €50

 

Wavesensations Sagres Surf School combines the quintessential spirit of the beach with tailored surfing instructions, that creates an unpretentious environment where the aim is to have fun together regardless of age, gender, nationality or surfing skills.

 

All the staff love their job, which is evident in their ability to make sure that you have the best time possible with the lessons delivered to the highest standard in some incredible beginner waves that form gently and give you plenty of time to get to your feet and master the basics.

 

5. IODO Surf School

Main surf beach: Armação de Pêra.

Pick up point: Your accommodation.

Lessons available: Kids, beginner, intermediate, advanced, private and SUP lessons available.

Price: 1 days lesson,all equipment and insurance is €20 for kids, €25 for beginners and €50 for intermediate and advanced but includes a west coast tour and 2 lessons per day.

 

Located in Armação de Pêra bay, IODO Surf School fits the needs of all surfers, from beginners, intermediate, advanced, in groups or in private lessons. More advanced surfers can try their skills in bigger and steeper waves as they offer trips to the West Coast in their surf vans.

 

If you want to get the most out of your time in the ocean, they also do private lessons for one-on-one tuition as well as SUP tours and lessons that will give you the chance to visit locations not often seen by visiting surfers.

 

 

The Algarve is situated on the south western corner of the Iberian Peninsula and boasts a vibrant mix of Atlantic and Mediterranean influences that make for a relaxing Portugal surf holiday.

 

Whether that’s on one of the many gorgeous beaches or back at your accommodation, you’ll never be far from some of Europe’s best waves, and what’s best is that the area regularly picks up summer swells, offering up many type of waves, with the best surf schools in the Algarve knowing where’s best to head to on any given day, allowing you to make the most out of your time in the salt.

 

Algarve surf holidays are easily accessible through Faro airport and has a diverse number of towns to stay in from quiet villages to bustling town of Lagos for those wanting wanting to mix night time fun with days at the beach.