Lisbon · LISBON SURF LESSONS
Here are the 15 best lisbon surf lessons tours you can book, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one leads for a reason, so start there.
Head from Lisbon toward Costa da Caparica for a two-hour surf lesson, with transport available on selected options. Instructors such as Filipe, Bruno and David teach the basics on land, then help you practise in the Atlantic. Wetsuits and boards are supplied, and the fossil cliffs add a striking coastal backdrop.
“Amazing experince. Bruno and Filipe were great coaches. Would recommend anyone!”
Salty Souls Surf School runs a two-hour lesson for beginners and surfers looking to improve, with warm-up, instruction, and time in the water. You get a wetsuit and surf equipment, and the group is capped at 10. The listed beaches are Carcavelos and Guincho; instructors named by the school’s customers include Gustavo, Ricardo, and Antonio.
“The experience was great! Gustavo is a knowledgable teacher and very patient. Overall we had a great time and it was a great experience!”
Meet in central Lisbon for a ride to Praia do Castelo at Costa da Caparica. You’ll get a wetsuit and board, learn surf basics and beach safety, then spend about two hours in the water with a certified instructor. Groups are limited to five students per instructor, and photographers may offer pictures for an extra fee.
“We were first timers trying to have a nice experience surfing. I would 1000% recommend it! The instructors were also great.”
Meet Portugal Surf School in Costa da Caparica for a two-hour beginner surf lesson. Your instructor covers beach safety, paddling, popping up and balance before helping you practise in the water. Board, wetsuit and insurance are included. Instructors named in recent lessons include Ari, Lewis, Lucas and Pedro, though your coach may differ.
“What an amazing day, I had nothing short of an amazing time. Our group was small allowing us to get 1 on 1 teaching. If you were brand new to surfing he would help you every step of the way. If your more experienced he knew how to adjust his teachings to still benefit you. 10/10 would do again”
Head from the Costa de Caparica parking lot to the beach for a three-hour SurfChamp lesson. You’ll get a wetsuit and board, learn the basics on the sand, then practise in the water with a group of no more than six. Sandro is a named instructor, and a pastel de nata has been a welcome end-of-class treat.
“Had a great time learning how to surf! 🏄 Sandro was a great teacher! Truly recommend him if you looking to try surfing in Lisbon !”
At Carcavelos Beach, certified instructors such as Daniel, Pedro and Nuno teach the basics on the sand before you try the Atlantic waves. The lesson includes a wetsuit and other equipment, insurance, storage and showers. It suits first-timers, but confirm the session length and group size before booking.
“I loved very much this experience!!! I have never surfed before! it has been my first time, so I was a little bit nervous...but the teachers were all very prepared and easy going, I felt at my ease with them. They have been clear in their explanation on how to stand on the board. Very nice, patient, smiling and pleasant people!! I recommend this experience! I have a great memory of it!If I'm going back to Lisbon, and I want to surf, I'll go back at Carcavelos surf school!”
Go4surf runs two-hour surf lessons in Peniche for beginners through advanced surfers. Meet near Gamboa Beach, get a board and Billabong 4.3 wetsuit, then work with an instructor in English, Portuguese, Spanish or French. Past instructors include Gustavo, João, Zala, Thiago, Miguel and Bernardo.
“Superfun! Zala and the other staff was so nice and took good care or us, a family of five😃”
Meet the van near Titanic Sur Mer and head with local surf coach Inês to the beach with the best conditions, which may be near Lisbon, Cascais, or Costa da Caparica. You’ll get a wetsuit, board, safety briefing, and warm-up, then about 1.5 hours in the water. Groups are limited to eight, with individual coaching for beginners and improving surfers.
“Thoroughly enjoyed my first surfing session with an amazing guide. I highly recommend!”
Meet the Salty Souls team at their surf bus above Casa da Praia restaurant at Carcavelos Beach. A certified coach leads a two-hour session of warm-ups, surf basics, and practice, with a board, wetsuit, and insurance included. Small groups suit beginners, and lessons are available in English or Spanish.
“First time ever surfing and it was a blast. I was lucky to work with and André and Gustavo. Highly recommend learning from this team, great group of people who ensured safety and helped get a lot of reps in.”
Go Surf Lisboa collects you near Titanic Sur Mer cafe and drives you to Praia do Castelo, on the Costa da Caparica. You get a wetsuit, board, and a lesson with no more than five students per instructor. Expect a short beach briefing, about two hours in the water, and a ride back to Lisbon. Photos are available for an extra fee.
“this was the best surf exprrience i have had in lisboa so far. The instructor was extremely experienced and knowledgeable. he shared many new tips and all in the group (beginner and experienced) felt that they learned something. when you got back to the instructor from catching a wave he always gave individualised feedback on what you did wrong and right.”
Spend 1.5 to 2 hours learning the basics of surfing on a white sand beach at Costa da Caparica. Your qualified instructor covers paddling, board position, standing up, and water safety. Board, wetsuit, and insurance are included. Instructors such as David and Daniel have led lessons, with English, Spanish, and Portuguese offered.
“A group of 8 of us had a brilliant first lesson. Most of us were complete beginners and the wonderful instructors taught us the basics, how to stay safe and helped us practice over the course of 2 hours. Will be back!”
Sea Krew’s adult surf lesson pairs you with Rui, a local coach with more than 30 years of experience. Expect a safety briefing, warm-up, surf basics and time in the water, with the beach chosen to suit your level and conditions. Boards and wetsuits are provided, and groups are limited to six.
“We had so much fun! Both of us were super beginners and we felt comfortable and safe trying surfing for the first time with Rui and Sea Krew. I will say that you should probably book multiple lessons directly with them just to really feel like you’re getting the hang of things :)”
Meet your group in Lisbon, then travel to Carcavelos or Caparica, where conditions guide the choice of beach. Carcavelos Surf School provides a two-hour lesson, certified instructors, equipment, showers, and small groups capped at eight. The outing lasts two to three hours and suits beginners as well as surfers with experience.
“The surfing was very good with decent waves and the surfing school team were excellent. However transportation from Lisbon was not available on the day so we organised our own taxi which wasn’t a problem.”
Meet near Nova Praia for a small-group or private surf lesson at Costa da Caparica. Coaches such as Tiago, Bruno, and Andres teach in Portuguese or English, with a surfboard, wetsuit, and insurance included. Expect roughly 1.5 hours of instruction within a two-hour activity, with the start time set by tide and swell.
“The experience was great. Bruno, our instructor was really amazing. Thanks to Tiago who arranged a last minute booking for us and we had the best time. Couldn’t be happier than this. Thanks for everything.”
Meet at Lisbon’s Hard Rock Cafe for a two-hour surf lesson on a beach along the Cascais coast. A Portuguese Surfing Federation-accredited coach leads a short theory session, warm-up, surf practice and stretches. Wetsuit, board, leash and personal accident insurance are included. Lessons are available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
“It was amazing! The guide was a very nice man who helped us every step of the way. I was with a girlfriend, and we are both beginners. That was no problem. You could see that all the students of the surf school liked the instructor. Super experience. Would definitely recommend it!”
Pick a hill, a riverbank or a palace.
