Surf schools
Surf schools in Ericeira
Ericeira is one of the easiest places in Europe to catch your first wave. Here is how to pick a school, what a lesson costs, and a directory of local surf schools to get you started.
Why Ericeira is good for learning
The southern beaches are the gentle end of Ericeira. Foz do Lizandro and São Julião are wide, sandy beach breaks where the waves crumble rather than slam, which is exactly what a first-timer needs. Schools run here all year round, so you can learn in any season. The famous reefs of the World Surfing Reserve, the ones you have read about, are for much later; they break over rock and are no place to start.
How to choose a school
A few questions sort the right school from the wrong one. Ask how big the groups are and whether beginners and improvers are kept apart. Ask if the instructors are certified and the lesson insured. Ask which beach they teach beginners at: first-timers belong on sand, so be wary of any school that puts you on a reef on day one. Check what is included, usually a wetsuit and a board, sometimes photos. A lesson normally runs about an hour and a half to two hours, and many schools include transport to the beach.
What a lesson costs
Group lessons in Ericeira run roughly €35 to €55 for around two hours, wetsuit and board included. Buying a pack of several lessons brings the price per session down, and private lessons cost more for the one-to-one attention. If you are budgeting the whole trip, the trip cost calculator folds surf lessons into the total.
When to book
In summer, book ahead: July and August fill up and the popular slots go first. In autumn and winter the crowds thin, groups are smaller and you often get more of the instructor’s time, though the water is cooler. Conditions decide which beach you surf on the day, so trust the school’s call, even if it means moving from the beach you had in mind.
Beyond the first lesson
Once you are standing up, the town keeps giving. Experienced surfers can hire a guide to find the right reef on the right tide, and many schools run camps that combine lodging and lessons across a week. For a fuller picture, read our beginner’s guide to Ericeira, browse the surf spots, or sort out where to stay.
The schools
These listings are not paid placements. Schools are shown alphabetically, not ranked. Details change, so always confirm lessons, ages and prices with the school before you book.
Ericeira Surf House
Ericeira Surf House combines surf lessons with accommodation in one place. Its programme is geared towards beginners.
Ericeira Surf School
Ericeira Surf School is one of the longest-established surf schools in the town. It has been teaching the local waves for many years.
Extra Surf School
Extra Surf School teaches in small groups. Classes are organised by ability level.
Laneez Ericeira
Laneez Ericeira is a surf house that offers lessons. It also runs outrigger canoe surfing.
Lapoint Ericeira
Lapoint Ericeira is an international surf camp. Its lessons are structured across four levels, from 1 to 4.
Surf Riders & Co
Surf Riders & Co is a surf shop and school in the town centre, on Rua do Carmo. It brings a shop and lessons together under one roof.
Common questions
Do I need experience?
No. Beginner lessons are built for people who have never surfed. You start in the whitewater on a soft board, with an instructor alongside you.
What do I bring?
Bring a swimsuit, a towel and sunscreen. The school provides the wetsuit and the board, so there is nothing else you need.
Can kids learn?
Yes, schools take children, often from around primary-school age. Minimum ages vary, so confirm with the school when you book.
Which beach will my lesson be at?
Beginner lessons are taught on the southern sandy beaches, usually Foz do Lizandro or São Julião. The school picks the safest option for the day’s conditions, so the exact beach can change.
How many lessons to stand up?
Most people ride whitewater and get to their feet on the first day. Catching real green, unbroken waves takes longer, usually days to weeks of practice.