Algarve Surf Camp - Praia Vale Figueiras, Faro. Surf Camps in Portugal
INTRODUCTION
This Surf Camp in Algarve, powered by Nomad Surfers consists of a beautiful and secluded country house in the middle of the wild scenery of the Alentejo Natural Park. The Property is very close to the famous Arrifana beach and Vale Figueiras, one of the best beach breaks in Portugal! Is located just 10 minutes North of Carrapateira or a 30 minute drive from Sagres and Lagos in an area that has more surf spots than you can imagine.
A Family-friendly Surf Camp great for solo travellers or couples looking for a more comfortable surfing holiday in a clean and private or shared accommodation. The staff will assist you with helpfulness and friendliness. The camp facilities include a bar, swimming pool and skate ramp to have lots of fun and meet new people.
Capacity for 55 people. Special rates for school groups. We offer different kinds of packages (Surf school, Surf guiding, Kite surf, Yoga, Horseback riding or simply bed & breakfast).
Our guests range from total beginners to experienced surfers. The Surf Guides and Surf Instructors will drive you in minivans and 4x4s in the search of the beach with the best conditions of the day. Non-surfers also more than welcome!!
THE ACCOMMODATION
Nomad Surf Camp in Algarve
With no condos or hotels in sight and very few houses around Alentejo Natural Park, Nomad Surf Camp in Algarve is only a 5-minute drive from the beach of Vale Figueiras, one of the best beach breaks of Portugal!
The surf camp has satellite TV, thousands of movies and surf videos, Free WIFI internet access around the surf house, snooker and wood stoves which make it very cozy on cool winter nights. Bicycles are also available to go for a ride and discover the area.
This quiet and private accommodation takes place in a Modern Portuguese Country house that has 9 gorgeous double rooms with private bathrooms and balconies overlooking beautiful views of the hills. Also has a swimming pool which makes it perfect for families with kids that love to play the whole day.
Luxury glamping tents are going separated 100m from the house, settled under the pine trees on a wooden terrace, facing the incredible view over the ocean and pine forest! Showers and toilets are close by (2 showers and 2 toilets).
Eco-Friendly
We don’t use plastic bags
We don’t use plastic cutlery
We don t use plastic plates
Our wax is bio-degradable
Our Sunscreen is vegan
Surf Camp Meals
| Professional Chef | Delicious bread |
Dinner at best Restaurant |
| Homemade food | Monday BBQ | Local Fruit and Vegetables |
| Healthy and abundant meals | Desserts | Vegetarian and Celiacs Dishes available |
Home Made Meals
Breakfast
Continental breakfast with delicious bread, different kinds of hams, salamis, sausages, bacon, eggs, salads, healthy cereals and mueslis, cheeses, fruit, nuts, natural juices, yogurt, toasts, jams and coffee.
Lunch
After breakfast, each guest is given an individual lunch bag for the beach with: 2 delicious sandwiches, fruit of the season, a bottle of water, a juice, and a snack.
Dinner
Nomad Surf Camp in Algarve has its own kitchen, Russo, the owner, and his mum are in charge of the delicious homemade grandmother style meal 3-course dinners. Entrees, soup, main course, beer, wine, and sangria. On the day of arrival, dinners are served for everyone that arrives before 7 pm.
Monday dinner: Every Monday we have a barbecue (this is included in the weekly package) with the best combination of chicken and meats on the Grill. To complement soup, salads, chips, pasta as well as special food for diet restrictions.
*Friday dinner: Every Friday we have dinner at one of the best Restaurants in the area. This delight is not included but we have a special group discount, you will pay around 25 EUR per person and experience the best T-bone steaks in the Algarve or go for the delicious fresh fish of the area. The catch of the day is usually Sargo, Douradas or Robalos served with steamed vegetables.
Staff
The staff is composed of friendly and adventurous souls from Portugal, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Latvia, Russia, and other countries. This mix gives a cool international and multicultural vibe to the place.
Facilities
| Wifi Internet | Full stocked Bar | Free use of Bikes on Sundays |
| Cinema Projector | Snooker table | Minivans and Jeeps |
| Thousands of movies and surf videos | Ping Pong table | Horse Stables close by |
| Computer available | Mini football table | Small Farm to visit close by |
| Skate Ramp | Trampolines | Swimming pool |
| Satellite TV | Photo and video sessions | Massage Therapist |
| Balance boards | Skate Boards | Hammocks |
| Boards and wetsuits Quiver | BBQ Area | Chill out area |
Animal-Friendly! Bring your dog, no problem!
COVID-19 Measures and Recommendations
Dear guests, due to Covid-19 situation in the world, we are aware of the evolution of COVID-19 and the recommendations of the official health entities, in order to constantly update hygiene and safety procedures in all areas of the surfcamp.
The measures implemented will be strictly followed by the Surf Resort staff, who will receive frequent training, and other measures will be requested from our guests, ensuring that their stay on our beautiful land run as safely as possible, mitigating any risk of infection.
– The common measures, as frequent disinfection, using the masks in the common areas, are taken. The staff is using the masks in the common areas and vehicles, as it recommended by the health entities. We recommend our guests to use the masks and disinfect / wash hand frequently, avoiding close contacts.
– Reception without contact. Payment by transfer is accepted.
– Maintaining distance from the kitchen / bar balcony.
– The quantity of the people that we accepting is limited. The maximum is 32 people for Surf Resort (our usual capacity is 56 people).
– The quantity of the people, sharing the same room, is limited. In the dorm of 8 spaces we will accommodate 4 persons (5 persons maximum). In the dorm of 6 spaces we will accommodate 3 persons (4 persons maximum).
– The groups for surf lessons are limited, less people per surf coach.
– The surf equipment stays assigned to a person during the whole stay. We disinfect the surf boards and wetsuits accordingly.
– The Surf Resort is isolated in the middle of natural Park, from the other houses of the village Monte Novo (1 km), Aljezur (15 km), Lagos (30 km). We have our bar with snacks and soft drinks, and souvenir shop in the Surf Resort. In case of any needs we are happy to bring the necessary item.
Accommodation Video
THE ACTIVITIES
The Surf in the Algarve
Summer from June until September. This is when the swells are smaller and the surf guides or surf teachers will take you to one of the beaches along the west coast, usually good beach breaks. Perfect waves for beginners to learnt surf.
Winter from December until March and it’s when there are more options because there is more swell. You will be able to go on surfaris involving more exploration, adventure and an entirely new dimension open up in the South Coast as well!
Reef Break and secret spots…
During spring, autumn, and winter season the surf guiding for beginners, intermediate and experienced surfers is very exciting and you will be able to explore many different beaches along the entire Southern Coast from Sagres to Lagos. If the west coast “maxes out”, there are beautiful beaches on the south coast breaking perfect glassy head-high waves. Most of these beaches you wouldn’t find without our surf guides.
Our Surf Lessons in Algarve
Before we start any exercise the instructor explains some theory in the sand to explain what the exercise will consist of. At the end of each lesson, there is some time for free surf to practice what you have learned.
Total Beginners
| 1st Day | 2nd Day | 3rd Day | 4th Day | 5th Day |
|
Morning Intro to waves without surfboards Intro with the surfboard always laying down
Afternoon Practice balance Timing Exercises to get up on the board in and out of the water. |
Morning Review the last part of the first day
Afternoon Stand Up Balance position.
|
Morning Review the last part of the second day.
Afternoon Exercises of weight change from front leg to back leg Walking on the board. |
Morning Review the last part of the third day
Afternoon Learn to turn left Learn to turn right. |
Put in practice all the exercises you have learned all week. |
Intermediate
Evaluation of each person to know which level he or she has and which points to work on.
Exercises always on longboards:
| Paddling | Explosive paddling |
Catching green waves with the help of the coach pushing |
| Sitting on the board | Paddle to the outside |
Timing and reading of waves to know in which direction to paddle and when to get up |
| Turning direction while sitting |
Techniques to pass the waves while paddling out (Eskimo roll, etc) |
Surf green waves going left, surf green waves going right. |
The coach will be video recording and will correct you with an analysis at the beach and also at the surf camp.
Advanced
Evaluation of each person to know exactly which level he or she has and which points to work on:
| Introduction to shortboards | Trimming | Getting in the water |
| Duck dives | Tides | Getting out of the water |
| Bottom turns | Currents | Reading swell charts |
| Turn on the top (re-entry) | Introduction to reefs | Surfaris to secret spots. |
The coach will be video recording and will correct you with an analysis at the beach and also at the surf camp.
Surf Instructors
Meet our team
1. Luis Marreiros is our local Head coach, that has been with us since early 2003, prepared a personal message: “Hi Dear Victims, I’m Luis, the Head coach of the school with more than 10 years of experience at training new and old surfers! There’s always space to learn and improve, have some fun and drink a bit of saltwater (from the nose😆). If I’m not surfing I like to go fishing, catch some seafood and prank the students! Looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and try to drown some new “intermediate” victims.”
2. Hannah Massie is a 23 year who grew up on the west coast of Australia, she has been surfing for 17 years, competed for 5 years. She was the captain of the Western Australian Junior Surfing Team in 2012. “Hello new students and old, I´m Hannah and I have been here for 6 years now. Surfing for me is an activity that presents challenges no matter where you go or the size of the waves. It gives me the freedom to do what I want in such a big and unpredictable place as the ocean! There’s so much more that I enjoy but that’s for you all to come and find out for yourself! Get ready to come and learn about surfing and about the ocean with people from all over the world with a big smile on your face!!!!!
3. Attention, attention!! Please meet our youngest Portuguese coach:”Helloo boys, girls, ladies and gentlemen I am Duarte and I am 18 also the youngest member of staff, I decided to join and work here because above all they are like family to me and I am really happy to have a job here, sharing my experience with everyone, I have been surfing for almost 2 years now but the ocean was always a big part of my life, surfing allows me to empty my mind, allows me to be free, doesn’t matter how bad or how good the waves are I will be out there catching a few waves, always remember the best surfer out there is the one having the most fun. I felt in love with surfing and I hope you guys will too, so jump on a boat or car or plane and come have fun with us at the beach, I can assure you will have a blast, hope to see you guys around.”
4. Marsh Aussie surf coach: “Hello my friends! My name is Marsh and I’m from the Sunshine Coast, Australia. I was only 11 years old when my mum enrolled me in a week-long surf school at my local beach, it was the best education I ever had! Surfing became the daily ritual that keeps me fit and happy and gives me direction in Life. Traveling the world in search of waves is the best way to travel. I’ve experienced surfing in 24 countries so far and I’ve been saving Portugal until now…now is the time people…I’m so excited…let’s get out there!!”
5. Hey hey friends, please meet our surf coach from South Africa: “Hi, My name is Matt and I am from the east coast of South Africa. I have been traveling in Europe for a few months now. I have made my way to Russo surf camp to teach surfing. I grew up in a small surf town called Ballito. This is where I started surfing, in a subtropical climate where summers are endless and winters are big! Good vibes and good waves all the way
6. Luis Miguel is our Venezuelan surf coach with his personal inspiration message: “Greetings fellow surfers! My name is Luis Miguel, I´m from Venezuela and I have been surfing for 6 years. Where I have seen this sport changing people’s life, including mine, for me surfing is like therapy for life… And it’s awesome being able to share it !! So I guarantee you guys will have the time of your lives surfing with people from ALL over the world, learning new techniques every day, drinking nice cold beer after a surf session and enjoying all the precious gift that the mother ocean has to offer.”
Surf Board Rental in Algarve
If you don’t want the hassle of bringing along your surfboards, getting overcharged at check-in counters, carrying them halfway around the world, and still risking them being broken or even lost, the surf camp can offer you a brand new stock of epoxy surfboards to rent from us if booked in advance.
- Longboards, Mini Malibus, Funboards, and Fish models, selection of shortboards available are also available for renting.
-
All sizes of new Rip Curl wetsuits are also available for renting.
Yoga
We have a warm and friendly Yoga instructor. She teaches most of the foundations of Hatha yoga, but being naturally explorative person, she’s favorable to other styles and ideas, that approach to her own mentality. In a practice with her you can notice influences of Iyengar´s and Anusara alignments and restorative yoga, based on classical methods of relaxation.
Tonya´s classes include stretching and strengthening of the key muscles, breathing exercises, meditations, sun salutations, balances, relaxations and provide with basic knowledge of alignments and essentials principals of Yoga.
Classes will be given in the morning before breakfast. Get ready for some deep breaths, in and out from your nose so you can start the day energized and uplifted 🙂
Activities Video
LOCATION & GETTING HERE
Location
In the middle of the wild scenery of the Alentejo Natural Park. The closest beach to the surf camp is Vale Figueira’s beach, where most of the surf lessons happen during the summer.
5 min Vale Figueiras Beach
10 min Aljezur ( supermarket, gas station, all conveniences)
15 min north of Carrapateira
15 min Bordeira Beach
20 min Arrifana Beach
20 min Amado Beach
30 min drive from Sagres and Lagos
Sunny climate year-round, Sagres’ coastline is a Peninsula that provides good surfing conditions year-round on any surf spot at a time, regardless of swell or wind conditions. Wave size and quality range from average to epic, with an assortment of reefs and beach breaks that covers the whole range of surfing skills, from beginners to experienced.
Getting Here
BY CAR
We are on the way to Vale Figueiras Beach. If you book we will send you the exact directions on how to get to the Nomad Algarve Surfcamp plus the GPS coordinates.
- 30 km. N of Sagres
- 30 km. NW of Lagos
- 275 km. S of Lisbon (Portugal)
- 300 km. W of Sevilla (Spain)
BY PLANE
The closest Airport is Faro International Airport (FAO), 110 km. There are direct flights from all major European cities.
From SPAIN : Direct flight Madrid to Faro. Iberia
From ITALY : 1 Connexion Milan to Faro. Easyjet / Ryanair / Veiling
From FRANCE : Direct flight to Faro. From Paris Easyjey/Transavia From Lyon Transavia From Marseille Ryanair
From DEUTSCHLAND : From Dusseldorf Ryanair /Tui Fly From Frankfurt Ryanair From Munich Transavia / air Berlin /tuiFly From Berlin Air Berlin
From NETHERLANDS : From Amsterdam Transavia
BY BUS
We provide FREE transfers to/from the local Bus Stop “Monte Novo, Vale Figueiras, Cha Bouco’. The bus stop is on the way of Lagos – Aljezur. You can take an EVA-bus from Lagos direction to Aljezur, or from Aljezur direction to Lagos, specifying the Bus Stop: “Monte Novo, Vale Figueiras, Cha Bouco”.
The timetable can be checked via www.eva-bus.com.
TRANSFERS
If you need a transfer, please CONTACT US IN ADVANCE. Pick up and drop off in Aljezur, Lagos are included for our clients who booked a Package or stayed with us more than 4 nights.
Transfers are for FREE for the following:
PICK UP in Lagos at 2pm and 7pm
PICK UP in Aljezur at 2:40pm and 7:40pm
DROP OFF from the Surfcamp at 11:30am
For Extra Cost Transfers please check price section.
PRICES & PACKAGES
Surf School Package
A Surf school package is for people that want to learn how to surf or to progress in surfing. This is a special surf course program in a friendly ambient with people, who love surfing! Have fun!
| PRICES | High Season 01 July – 29 Sept |
Rest of the year |
|---|---|---|
| Single Room (private bathroom) | 1095 EUR | 959 EUR |
| Double Room (private bathroom) | 865 EUR | 765 EUR |
| Triple or 4x Private Room (private bathroom) | 815 EUR | 715 EUR |
| Bed in Male/ Female dorm 3 pax (private bathroom) | 815 EUR | 715 EUR |
| Bed in Male/ Female dorm 4 pax | 760 EUR | 660 EUR |
| Bed in Mix dorm 6 pax/ 8 pax | 699 EUR | 599 EUR |
Package Includes:
✔ 7 nights Accommodation
✔ Full Board (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner) 6 dinners
✔ Saturday BBQ party
✔ Dinner on Friday at the best local restaurant. (not included)
✔ 5 Days Surf Course (Beginner, intermediate, advanced)
✔ 6 Days Surf material all day (Surfboards, rashguards & wetsuits)
✔ Ripcurl wetsuits
✔ Huge selection of surfboards
✔ Free surf on Saturday under surf coach supervision
✔ Transport to the beach
✔ Welcome Drink
✔ Video Session of Surf lessons
✔ Photo Session
✔ Pick up/ Drop off Transfers (please check conditions)
With Yoga its an extra 90 EUR ( 5 days of yoga classes )
Surf Course Only
We offer surf courses for all levels.
| Surf Course ONLY | Low Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 Day | 40 EUR | 45 EUR |
| 1 Day | 55 EUR | 60 EUR |
| 2 Days | 105 EUR | 115 EUR |
| 3 Days | 150 EUR | 165 EUR |
| 4 Days | 190 EUR | 210 EUR |
| 5 Days | 225 EUR | 250 EUR |
Includes:
✔ 2 surf session per day (3 hours of training)
✔ Surf materials (board, wetsuit, leash, rash guard)
✔ Transfers to the beach from the surf camp
✔ Drinking water
✔ Pick up and drop off in Lagos
Book an Accommodation in the Surf Camp or Surf Resort and get the Best price for your Surf Guide, just 125€!
Surfboard Rental in Algarve
Rent surf board in Algarve with Nomad Surfers. Longboards, Mini mals, Funboards, and Fish models. A selection of shortboards available for renting. New Ripcurl wetsuits also available for renting.
| Low/High Season |
Soft or Epoxy board |
Board + Wetsuit |
Fiberglass Board |
Firewire Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day only | 20 / 25 EUR | 25 / 30 EUR | 25 / 30 EUR | 40 / 45 EUR |
| Per Day | 15 / 20 EUR | 20 / 25 EUR | – | – |
| Per Week | 105 / 140 EUR | 140 / 175 EUR | 140 /170 EUR | 240 / 280 EUR |
FREE Transfers
We provide transfers from the closest towns Aljezur, Lagos and Bus Stop “Monte Novo, Vale Figueiras, Cha Bouco”. If you need a transfer, please CONTACT US IN ADVANCE. Pick up and drop off in Aljezur, Lagos are included for our clients who booked a Package or stayed with us more than 4 nights.
PICK UP in Lagos at 2pm and 7pm
PICK UP in Aljezur at 2:40pm and 7:40pm
DROP OFF from the Surfcamp at 11:30am
We provide with FREE Transfers to/from the local Bus Stop “Monte Novo, Vale Figueiras, Cha Bouco”. The bus stop is on the way Lagos – Aljezur. You can take an EVA-bus from Lagos direction to Aljezur, or from Aljezur direction to Lagos, specifying the Bus Stop: “Monte Novo, Vale Figueiras, Cha Bouco”. Timetable can be checked via www.eva-bus.com: Monday to Friday usual schedule: 08:45, 12:35, 13:45, 16:40, 18:20, 19:15 (from Lagos). Saturday: 13:45.
Extra Cost Transfers
Transfers to Lagos and Aljezur with our car/van
45€ per person/per way.
Faro Airport Pick up
1 to 3 pax – 125€ per way per car
4 to 7 pax – 180€ per way per car
Lisbon and Sevilla Airport Pick up
250 EUR per person per way
UBER
Easy, cheap and fast way – to book an UBER taxi – via UBER application Estimated fair:
Lagos 21€ – 31€
Aljezur 11€ – 15€
Faro 86€ – 114€
Big Bus can be organized for groups by request.
Note
Discount 5% on the 2nd week and 10% on the 3rd week.
On high season arrival on Sundays (21 June – 31 Aug)
In low season you can do less than one week and you can also start any day of the week. 3 and 5-day packages are also available.
Discounts Infants 0-23 months pay 20 EUR per day
Children 2- 6 Years 50%
