Surfing in Ericeira: courses, classes, waves, competitions and shops

If you are a surfing enthusiast and have already come to Portugal looking for good spots, then you certainly know Ercieira and have perhaps even come to surf some waves there. If this is the case and you would like to go back or you are looking for a first surfing experience in Portugal, then you will certainly find what you need in this article.

Surfing in Ericeira

In 2011, Ericeira received the recognition that many were already giving it: it has become a world surfing reserve. The first in Europe and the second in the world. Known by all as a surfing paradise, the beaches of this fishing village have long been sought after by surfers from all over the country. Today foreign tourists from all over the world, wave nomads and locals come here during their holidays or weekends, either to surf the waves or to take part in the surfing competitions that are regularly organised here.

The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve stretches along four kilometres of coastline. Its configuration, which combines specific angles of exposure, undulations, slope and seabed composition, has made it one of the most extraordinary surfing areas on the planet. The international organization Save The Waves considers that the seven types of waves offered by the region make it an excellent choice for surfing.

Today you’ll see if you come to visit Ericeira whether you live there and breathe surfing, with a growing number of surfers in the water and a growing offer of accommodation, shops and facilities dedicated to surfers. Surfing became famous in Ericeira because of Tiago Pires, a professional surfer born in Lisbon on March 13th 1980. He spent his youth in the Alvalade district but also spent a lot of time on the bus between Lisbon and Erceira, where he started surfing at weekends with his brother Ricardo and his friend Mica Lourenço. Weekends turned into days, weeks, months, years…

Surf course in Ericeira

Of course one doesn’t go without the other and who says Ericeira’s international reputation for surfing also says a lot of surfers, more and more offers of surfing courses and an increased chance of stumbling upon an Ericeira surfcamp that works on a gas factory model and of course won’t leave you with a good memory of your surfing experience: 1 instructor for 15 surfers, overcrowded surf spots and sometimes accommodation that can leave something to be desired.

So I propose you below different offers of all-inclusive surfing courses or surfing lessons in Ericeira which will certainly not be the cheapest you will find in the city but which are proposed by people I know, who have only positive feedbacks and who stand out by the quality of what they propose, the equipments, the accommodations and the memory you will keep of your surfing course in Ericeira :

• A direct transfer from Lisbon airport to Ericeira.
• A surf instructor for 4 or 5 surfers, no more than
• High quality equipment
• A house of high standing
• No old vans or low-coast surfing lessons, they really look after you.
• A multitude of additional activities on request to occupy your holidays in Ericeira (Jet-Ski, Mountain bike, Paddle, Climbing…).
• A dedicated team that will make you leave with a smile for sure.
• Friendly, qualified and caring instructors who are there to teach you and not just accompany you.
• Classes of about 2 to 2.5 hours

Your accommodation during the surf course in Ericeira

The courses offered by the team contain one surf lesson per day (it can be less depending on the formula chosen) and it seems to me that the accommodation is just as important as the lessons. Feeling good there and having a good place to visit Ericeira or go out in the evening is essential. What could be better than accommodation in the centre of Ericeira? I let you discover the pictures below.

Accommodations are similar and are proposed with 2 or 3 bedrooms depending on your choice and the number of people attending this surfing course in Ericeira. They have many advantages:

• A surface of 110 m²
• Rooms with double beds or bunk beds
• Balcony
• TV and Wifi access
• Washing machine
• Equipped kitchen
• Located in the centre of Ericeira

Transfer to Lisbon and Ericeira airport

The transfer from Lisbon airport to the accommodation for your surfing course is in vans that can accommodate 2 to 6 surfers. Anything is possible as if you are a large group, the team also has a 16-seater minibus. In this case you will probably have to specify it in your request, but they are tailor-made and will offer you without any problem adapted transport and accommodation.

Whether the transport between Lisbon airport and Ericeira is in high season, low season, for a group of 2 or a group of 6 the price is the same: 60€ for daytime hours and 120€ for night hours. A way for you to share the costs and adapt your trip to Ericeira with the arrival or departure time of your plane.

The prices of the surfing course in Ericeira

The prices of your surfing course in Ericeira vary according to the high or low season, the number of people, the length of your stay, the number of surf lessons you wish to take and whether the apartment has two or three bedrooms. Prices include accommodation, equipment rental, transport to different surf spots and surf lessons in Ericeira with the instructors.

Price of the surfing course in low season

The prices below are the prices for accommodation and surf lessons in Ericeira in low season (October to April).

Price of the surfing course in high season

The prices below are the prices for accommodation and surf lessons in Ericeira in high season (May to September).

Book a surfing course in Ericeira

To book your surfing course in Ericeira, you can use the button below and fill in the dedicated form with all the information. Filling in the form is not contractual but simply allows me to transmit the information or your questions to the team who will be able to come back to you to answer them or to confirm the booking.

The instructors speak English and Portuguese.

By validating the contact form, you authorize me to transmit your request and your information to the organizers who will be able to come back to you directly to answer it.

Surf lessons in Ericeira

For those of you who prefer to take surfing lessons in Ericeira without having a full package with accommodation and transfer, please note that the team also offers this option. To contact them, get information and plan your surfing lessons, you can simply use the same form with the button below and specify it in your message. They also offer bodyboarding lessons.

You should know that the team that organizes these surfing lessons in Ericeira also organizes a lot of fun activities around Ericeira such as Mountain Biking, Jet Ski, Paddle, Climbing and even full days around water sports if you are a big group. They are very accommodating, will accompany you, give you advice, take you to the right places and make you discover Ericeira like nobody else.

They have been based in Ericeira since 2014 and are considered by many to be the best surf school in the city in terms of the quality of what they offer and the quality of the support. They are friendly, professional and very caring. Their priority is that you leave happy with your experience and you can see with the different opinions they collect from all over the world that they are used to fulfilling their mission:

Since this page is dedicated to surfing, the courses they offer always include the following elements :

• Courses from 2 hours to 2 and a half hours
• Surfing courses for beginners or intermediate surfers
• The surfboard
• The combination
• The transfer to the surf spot around Ericeira
• Accompanying the monitors
• Insurance

Surfing in Ericeira: the 7 famous waves

Below you will find some information about the 7 renowned wave types around Ericeira that have made this region one of the main surfing reserves in Europe.

Please note that many of these waves are frequented by experienced surfers and it is recommended that you only go on your own if you are experienced.

Wander Surfering White Stone

It was named after a stone submerged in your light where the wave begins. The Pedra Branca at Praia da Empa is fast and develops on a shallow reef bank. It is advisable to surf it at mid-tide or high tide.
This wave ranges from 0.5 to 2.5 meters and if the surfer is an expert, he will be able to catch one of the many tubes that form if the swell and wind are strong enough.

Wave Reef

Following the beach, you will find the reef: a straight line that starts on a reef sign. It is a dangerous wave because it has a very short and fast take-off area. The waves in this area are ideal to surf at mid tide and you might have the chance to surf the tube.

This is a place that only becomes difficult to surf if there is a lot of swell and the waves exceed 1.5 meters.

Ribeira d’Ilhas Surfers Beach

It’s Ericeira’s calling card par excellence. This beach, which many say is the twin of Bells Beach in Australia, has hosted major international surfing competitions. Located in a valley, it is a natural amphitheatre with waves that follow the contour of the coast and can reach up to 3.5 metres.

This surfing spot near Ericeira is ideal for all types of surfers, whatever their level or the tide. If you are a beginner, however, you need to be accompanied to adapt the place where you surf to your level: the bottom is made of rocks.

Wave Cave for experienced surfers

This is probably one of the most difficult waves to surf among those mentioned here. So you won’t see many surfers tackling it and it is definitely not for those who want to learn to surf. 

It started attracting surfers a short time ago and is very powerful. It’s a risky wave and the suction is very strong when the wave breaks. It is safer at high tide.

Crazy Left Wave to surf

Or the “esquerda maluca,” as some people call it. This wave is in the bay next to the cellar and there are some days when the conditions are perfect and it becomes “magical”. But when the conditions are ideal, the wall of this wave is fast and tubular, with several sections.

This wave is located in the flow channel of the bay and it is ideal to surf it with half a tide.

Waves of Coxos

It is for many the most beautiful of the seven waves that make up the Ericeira surf reserve, as it remains intact and preserved by all those who use it.
In search of this preservation, this place is also the area most used and protected by local surfers.

This is not for nothing: this wave is mostly very straight and very long, ideal for surfing. You can often see some of the best national and even international surfers surfing here. It is a place not recommended only if you master this sport very well.

Waves of São Lourenço

This is the last stop of the World Surfing Reserve. São Lourenço is on the list for its straight and powerful waves that break on the right side of the beach of the same name, under a mixed bottom of rocks, sand and reef.

Usually surfed at mid-tide, this wave can be deceivingly large: don’t be fooled by its size. It may look like it’s half a meter long, but it’s actually a meter or more.

Surf competitions in Ericeira and Portugal

It is difficult to keep this page up to date to give you the schedule of surfing competitions in Ericeira but there are usually several throughout the year on different beaches like Ribeira d’Ilhas or Foz do Lizandro.

If you want to know if there will be a competition in the area during your stay in Ericeira, you can consult specialized websites such as HERE where you will find all the WSL 2019 dates including those in Portugal with for example this year:

• Longboard Pro Espinho Portugal from 5 to 7 April 2019
• Pro Santa Cruz Portugal (QS 3 000) from 8 to 13 April 2019
• Junior Pro Espinho, April 10-14, 2019
• Caparica Pro Portugal (QS 3 000 & QS 1 000) from 15 to 20 April 2019
• Caparica Junior Pro Portugal, from 15 to 19 April 2019
• Rio Grande Pro Portugal, from 13 to 15 September 2019
• Azores Airlines Pro, Sao Miguel, Portugal (QS 6,000) from 17 to 22 September 2019
• EDP Billabong Pro Ericeira, Portugal (QS 10 000) 24-29 September 2019
• MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Peniche, Portugal (CT & CT) from 16 to 28 October 2019
• The Big Wave Tour 2019 – 2020 from October 1st, 2019 with one of the 3 rounds in Nazaré

Or the site of the Portuguese Surfing Federation with the places and dates of the competitions: for example in surfing competitions in Ericeira in 2019:

• The Portuguese SURF Cup in Foz Lizandro from 4 to 8 September 2019
• The 1st stage of the Women’s National Open Surfing Championship from March 1st to March 3rd in Ericeira.
• The 1st stage of the Men’s National Open Surfing Championship from March 1 to 3 in Ericeira
• The 4th test of the hopes of the national surfing championship on October 18, 26 and 27 in Ericeira
• The 2nd stage of the National Circuit Bodyboarding Hopefuls on June 9th and 10th in Ericeira
• The 3rd stage of the National Longboard Circuit (open, women and under 18) on May 11th in Ericeira

These are of course only the surf competitions in Portugal in 2019 but most of these competitions are repeated from year to year, which will give you an idea, even if I don’t update this page, of what you can see and what you can find out about.

Surf shops in Ericeira

Some of you may have decided to stay longer in Ericeira or even not leave at all. Don’t worry, it’s a common feeling around here and many extend their stay to enjoy the city, its atmosphere, its community and of course surfing. If this is the case for you then it might be useful to get to know the different surf shops in Ericeira: you will find some addresses below.

Surf 58 Shop Ericeira

• Avenida de Saõ Sebastião ,36 A, 2655-319 Ericeira
• Open every day from 10am to 8pm
• Telephone (+351) 261 862 146

Magic Quiver Surf Shop Ericeira

• R. 5 de Outubro 15A, 2655-255 Ericeira
• Open every day from 11am to 8pm
• Telephone (+351) 261 106 314

Ericeira Surf & Skate

• Rua Mira Parque nº1, 2655-213 Ericeira
• Open every day (Online shop 24 hours a day)
• Telephone (+351) 261 860 333

Wavegliders surfshop Ericeira

• R. Mendes Leal, 2655-319 Ericeira
• Open every day from 10am to 7pm.
• Telephone (+351) 261 863 451

Heyday Authentic Store Ericeira

• R. 5 de Outubro 13, 2655-319 Ericeira
• Open every day from 11am to 8pm

Mothersurf Ericeira

• Tv. do Jogo da Bola 1, 2655-297 Ericeira
• Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10h to 19h, Saturday from 10h to 21h and Sunday from 12h to 18h.
• Telephone (+351) 967 569 229