Travel Tips

What to pack for a surf camp in Portugal, from a coach who has run camps in Ericeira since 2004: what is already included, what to bring for the water, the beach and Atlantic evenings, and what to leave at home.

Why wave count decides how fast you improve, and how surfing between Ericeira and Santa Cruz in small groups gives you three times more waves per session.

Everything a complete beginner needs before a first surf lesson in Ericeira: safety, the pop-up, what is included, and whether you will stand up on day one.

Why intermediate surfers stop improving, the three technical problems behind almost every plateau, and how video analysis and ocean reading break it.

Looking for a surf camp near Lisbon? Ericeira is 45 minutes from the airport, with seven quality breaks and uncrowded beaches at Santa Cruz.

When is the best time to surf in Portugal? A month-by-month guide to swell, water temperature and crowds on the Ericeira and Santa Cruz coast.

Ericeira or Peniche for your surf trip to Portugal? An honest comparison of waves, crowds, distance from Lisbon and which town suits your level.