From your first wave to your first barrel. Ericeira has surf schools for every level, right at the breaks where pros train.
Most people learn to surf on mushy beach breaks with no real push. Ericeira is different. Even the beginner waves here - Foz do Lizandro, the south end of Ribeira d'Ilhas - have real Atlantic power behind them. You learn to surf properly from day one because the ocean demands it.
The other advantage: progression. Once you can stand up at Foz do Lizandro, there are five more breaks within a 10-minute drive that will challenge you for the next decade. You don't outgrow Ericeira - the coastline scales with you.
Compare prices, dates, reviews, and what's included across every camp in town - with free cancellation on most packages.
Browse All CampsThese are partner links. If you book through them we earn a commission at no extra cost to you, which is what keeps ericeira.com free.
One of the originals. Group and private lessons at Foz do Lizandro and Ribeira d'Ilhas. ISA-certified instructors. They also run multi-day camps with accommodation included. Boards and wetsuits provided.
Local surf club with a coaching program for all levels. Strong community vibe - you'll end up surfing with the same crew regularly. Weekly group sessions and video analysis. Good for intermediates who want to progress fast.
Accommodation plus daily surf lessons and guiding. Cliff-top location overlooking Ribeira d'Ilhas. Pool, yoga, and a social atmosphere. Popular with solo travelers who want a ready-made surf community for a week or two.
Focused on intermediate and advanced surfers. Video coaching, surf-specific fitness, and sessions at the reef breaks. Small groups. The coaches know every peak on the coast and match conditions to your level daily.
Women's surf camps and retreats in Ericeira. Designed by women for women - beginner-friendly, supportive, and community-driven. Week-long programs combine daily surf sessions with yoga and local exploration.
All schools provide soft-top boards and wetsuits. You just show up in a swimsuit. Bring sunscreen (reef-safe preferred) and a towel. Most schools have showers and changing areas at the beach.
Typical 2-hour lesson: 30 minutes on the beach learning pop-up technique and ocean safety, then 90 minutes in the water. Group lessons max out at 6-8 students per instructor. Most people stand up on their first session.
May to October has warmer water (16-18°C) and generally smaller waves - ideal for beginners. Summer mornings are best before the afternoon wind picks up. Winter still works but the water is colder (14-16°C) and swells are bigger.
Once you can paddle out and catch green waves consistently, Ericeira opens up. Reef - the break right in front of town - is a natural next step. Mellow enough on smaller days but with real walls to practice turning. From there, Ribeira d'Ilhas on medium swells gives you long, workable faces to develop your surfing.
Several schools offer intermediate and advanced coaching: video analysis, wave selection strategy, and guided sessions at breaks matched to your level. The local surf community is welcoming to improving surfers who show respect for the lineup and the ocean.
Staying a week or more? A surf camp bundles daily coaching with accommodation - you can compare 45+ Ericeira camps by price, dates, and reviews.
Surf conditions, new restaurants, community events, and local tips. One email, when it matters. No spam.
