Surf Camp Packing List · Ericeira · Portugal
Packing for a surf camp in Portugal is easier than most people think. The heavy, expensive part (boards, wetsuits, transport to the beach) is usually handled for you. What makes the difference is the small stuff: the right layers for Atlantic evenings, sun protection that survives two hours in the water, and a few things that make a week by the ocean far more comfortable.
This is the list we give our own guests before they arrive in Ericeira, built from more than twenty years of coaching on this coast.
By Rui Ferreira — Founder of Sea Krew, surf coach since 2004.
In short: on a Sea Krew surf camp the board, wetsuit, transport to the beach, insurance and breakfast are included. You bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, warm layers for the evening, flip-flops and your personal essentials. A carry-on and a small backpack are usually enough.
First, check what is already included
Before you pack anything surf-related, look at your package. On our Ericeira surf camp packages, the gear is part of the experience: 4/3 wetsuits, a range of surfboards chosen for your level, plus bodyboard and SUP. Transport between your stay and the beach, coaching in small groups (maximum five surfers per coach), insurance, breakfast and photos of your sessions are included too.
That means you do not need to travel with a board bag or buy a wetsuit for the trip. Flights, dinners and the local tourist tax are not included, so plan a little budget for those.
| Included on the camp | You bring |
|---|---|
| 4/3 wetsuit | Swimwear to wear under the wetsuit |
| Surfboard sized for your level (bodyboard and SUP too) | Beach towel |
| Transport to the beach chosen for the day | Reef-safe sunscreen and lip balm |
| Coaching in small groups | Warm layers for evenings |
| Insurance and daily breakfast | Flip-flops and a reusable water bottle |
| Photos of your sessions | Personal medication and travel documents |
For the water
- Two sets of swimwear. One is always drying. Choose something that stays in place under a wetsuit: sports bikini or swimsuit, board shorts or tight swim shorts.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, factor 50. The reflection off the water burns faster than you expect, even on cloudy mornings. A stick for the face is easier to apply on the beach.
- Lip balm with SPF. Two hours of salt and sun will dry them out on day one.
- A hair tie or clip if you have long hair, and a spare, because the ocean keeps them.
- A changing poncho (optional). Not essential, but it makes changing on the beach much easier.
Leave jewellery, watches you care about and anything valuable at the stay. Rings and earrings get lost in the whitewater more often than you would think.
Coach’s note: you do not need your own board to have a good week. We pick the board each morning for your level and the conditions. If you already surf and want to bring your own, tell us before you arrive so we can plan the transport.
For the beach and the van
Every morning we choose the beach based on the swell, the wind and your level, so some days we drive a little further along the coast. A small daypack makes those mornings simple:
- Beach towel (a quick-dry one packs smaller)
- Reusable water bottle
- A snack for after the session: you will be hungry
- Cap or hat and sunglasses for the time on the sand
- A warm hoodie for after the water, even in summer
- A plastic or dry bag for wet swimwear
Clothes: pack for Atlantic evenings
The Portuguese coast is warm in the sun, but the Atlantic keeps evenings cool and the wind picks up in the afternoon. This surprises a lot of our guests in summer. Think layers, not a big suitcase:
- T-shirts and shorts for the day
- One or two warm layers (hoodie, fleece or light sweater)
- Long trousers for the evenings
- A light windproof jacket; add a rain jacket from October to April
- Flip-flops for the beach and comfortable trainers for the cobbled streets of Ericeira
- Something relaxed for dinners out: Ericeira is casual, nobody dresses up
Not sure what the season will feel like? Our guide to the best time to surf in Portugal explains how waves and weather change through the year.
Personal essentials and documents
- Passport or ID card, and your booking confirmation
- Personal medication, plus plasters for small cuts
- Travel insurance for flights and luggage (insurance for the surf activity is included in the camp)
- A European plug adapter if you come from outside continental Europe
- Card and a little cash: small cafés and markets do not always take cards
- Earplugs for the water if you are prone to ear problems
For the evenings and the rest of the week
A surf camp is not only the hours in the water. The evenings, the shared stories and the recovery are part of why people come back. A few things make them better:
- A book or downloaded films for quiet evenings
- A light yoga mat or stretching band if you like to stretch after surfing
- A phone waterproof pouch for photos on the beach
- Your laptop if you plan to work remotely: our stays have fast Wi-Fi
What to leave at home
- A board bag and your own wetsuit, unless you are an experienced surfer who really wants them
- A big suitcase. You will live in swimwear, hoodies and flip-flops
- Expensive jewellery
- High expectations about the perfect wave on a given day. The ocean changes daily; we adapt the plan to it and to you
Your first morning
On the first morning, come with swimwear already on under your clothes, sunscreen applied and a towel in your bag. We sort the board and wetsuit on the beach, start with a short briefing, and adapt everything to your level. If this is your first time, our article on what to expect from surf lessons in Ericeira walks you through a session, and the surf camp week, day by day shows how the whole programme unfolds.
Still choosing where to go? The complete Ericeira surf camp guide covers the town, the breaks and how to pick the right programme.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring my own wetsuit or surfboard?
No. On Sea Krew surf camps, 4/3 wetsuits and boards chosen for your level are included, plus bodyboard and SUP. Experienced surfers can bring their own board if they tell us in advance.
How cold is the water in Portugal?
The Atlantic around Ericeira stays cool all year, which is why we surf in 4/3 wetsuits. In the wetsuit you stay comfortable during a two-hour session; the cold you feel is usually after, so pack a warm hoodie.
What size of luggage do I need for a surf camp?
For a 3 to 8-day camp, a carry-on suitcase and a small backpack are usually enough, because the surf gear is included.
Is food included?
Breakfast is included every day. Dinners are not included, which gives you the freedom to discover Ericeira’s restaurants. Bring a snack and water for after each session.
Packed and ready?
Choose 3, 5 or 8 days in Ericeira. Board, wetsuit, transport, insurance, breakfast and photos included. Tell us your dates and level and we will recommend the right programme.
Sea conditions and weather vary every day. Beach, timing and what we do in the water are decided on the morning, with safety first and your level in mind. Package contents may change: always check the current details on the surf camp page before you book.