Porto · PORTO SURF LESSONS
A short list to send a friend heading to Porto: 15 porto surf lessons tours, what each includes, what it costs and the one thing to know before you pay.
Spend 1.5 hours learning to surf in Matosinhos with Fish Surf School. In a group of no more than eight, you’ll practise on the sand, then head into the water with an instructor to work on paddling, standing, and catching waves. Wetsuit, board, insurance, and storage are included.
“We loved the activity! Our Coach was amazing and tried his best for us to catch our first waves. Thank you!”
Meet your instructor by Café Aliança in Porto, then ride with your group to the beach with the best conditions that day. In a group of no more than seven, you’ll learn paddling and standing techniques before practising in the water. Igor, Bernardo and other instructors have led sessions. Transport, wetsuit, board and insurance are included.
“Great coach and just lots of fun!! My trip to Portugal got a whole lot better because of this. Highly recommend :)”
At Matosinhos Beach, Fish Surf School’s beginner lesson starts with a warm-up and basic instruction on the sand, then moves into the water with a board, wetsuit and leash provided. The class lasts about 90 minutes and is limited to eight people. Instructors such as Ricardo and Diogo have been praised for patient, helpful teaching, though your instructor may vary.
“My daughter did this and loved it! A great way to see a different part of Porto too! Good instructions and thoroughly enjoyed”
Meet at Matosinhos’ Anemone Roundabout for a 90-minute surf lesson with SurfingLife Club, a school with 30 years of experience. An instructor speaks English, Polish, Spanish, French, or Portuguese and adapts coaching to your level. You’ll practise on the sand, then head into the water with a surfboard, wetsuit, and personal feedback included.
“even though i was the only customer they didnt cancel the event. They got one more from another school so we were only two and got very much attention from our teacher, which was very nice and giving much feedback where to work on”
Meet your surf school team at Póvoa de Varzim metro station, then ride to the beach with the best conditions that day. In a small group of up to eight, you’ll learn safe basic techniques from a certified instructor and practise in the Atlantic. Boards and other surfing equipment, plus the station transfer, are included.
“Marco was such a nice guy and so where the instructors. Altough surf has a steep learning curve, they made it so fun for all of us. A must do when in Portugal”
Meet near Casa da Música and ride to Praia de Azurara for a 2.5-hour surf class, including warm-up, safety guidance, and time in the water. Ocean Origin supplies your board and wetsuit, and certified instructors teach all levels. Sérgio is frequently named for clear coaching and helpful technique tips. The surf time is set around ocean conditions.
“Surfing classes With Ocean Origin SurfSchool were amazing. Sergio does things with passion and i enjoyed it really much. PS. After my first lesson I could catch some waves already. 😳🏄♂️🏄♂️”
Meet your instructor near Porto’s Sé, then ride in a white-and-blue van to the beach best suited to the day’s surf. Armando adapts the lesson to your level, fits your wetsuit and board, and teaches in a group of no more than six. Gear, insurance, transport, and photos are included.
Meet The Salt Flow near Praia de Ofir for an approximately two-hour beginner lesson in a private group. Your coach helps choose a board and wetsuit, checks conditions on both sides of Ofir, then teaches paddling, wave-catching, standing up, and ocean safety before guided practice.
“Great experience for my son (11) and me. The team is really nice and the coach was very supportive and helpfull. We had a very fun time!”
Meet Surfitbox at Matosinhos Beach for a 90-minute surf lesson with a certified coach, a board, and a wetsuit. Small groups are capped at eight, and instruction is offered in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Beginners get a safety briefing and beach instruction before heading into the water; coaches such as Filipp and Ricardo have been praised for their patient, helpful teaching.
“The lesson was really good! Our teacher (Filipp) was really nice and helpful. He had patience for each of us to help us with our difficulties and cheered us on. He showed us the important steps and then we were able to go in the water and practice. We all managed to surf by the end🤪 The guy at the reception (Zach) was also welcoming, giving us our suits, showing us where we could store our stuff. Would really recommend!”
Set off from Porto with a fitted rental bike, helmet, map, and local route tips. Ride beside the Douro toward Foz and the Douro estuary, cross the river by small boat, then swap bike time for a surf lesson with board, wetsuit, and instructor included. Option 2 adds a sandwich or salad with a drink at a local restaurant.
“Geweldige dag gehad. Goede kwaliteit fietsen en vriendelijke service. Fietsen stonden klaar, werden op maat gemaakt. We kregen de routekaart mee met tips voor bezienswaardigheden en voor leuke koffietentjes en om te eten. De tocht was goed te doen en we hebben genoten van de prachtige omgeving. Het surfen was super. Mooie locatie, goede instructeurs, gezellige sfeer, goed materiaal en goed geregeld. Ja de surfles hebben we aan het strand de rest van de dag doorgebracht voordat we weer op ons gemak terug gingen”
Meet your private instructor at Fish Surf School in Matosinhos, discuss your experience and goals, then work on the water at a pace suited to you. Ivan and Ricardo are among the instructors associated with the school. A board, wetsuit and insurance are included; bring your own towel, sunscreen and water.
“The surf lesson was worth repeating as far as I'm concerned! The surf school is located in a street right behind the beach. This makes the location easily accessible. The lesson itself was fantastic. Ivan was a nice and enthusiastic teacher who fits in well. Despite my own physical discomfort, I experienced the feeling on the board. And let's be honest: that is 'amazing'! Conclusion: take a (private) lesson! (it is more than worth it!)”
At Matosinhos Beach, you and a partner get a private 1.5-hour surf lesson with an instructor who stays with you from shore-side explanations to the water. Equipment, insurance, and licenses are included, and Surfaventura has changing space, toilets, and showers. Instructor Miguel has been praised for his patience and clear, technique-focused teaching, though your instructor may differ.
“Abbiamo apprezzato molto la possibilità di fare una lezione privata per due in quanto, essendo principianti, siamo stati seguiti alla perfezione e questo ci ha consentito di surfare in sicurezza ma soprattutto di divertirci tantissimo! L’istruttore Miguel è stato super! Molto paziente, chiaro nelle spiegazioni e molto attento alla tecnica. Try guys!”
Porto Surf School picks you up in the city center and takes you to a beach chosen for the day’s conditions and your surf level. Expect a three-hour lesson with a certified instructor, board, wetsuit, insurance, and a ride back to town. English and Portuguese are spoken. The full activity lasts 3.5 hours.
“My wife and I were really happy after the session we had with Porto Surf School. They picked us up on time, what I really appreciated. Was a fun day to leave the city for some hours. We definitely recommend.”
Meet your instructor near Casa da Música metro station, then ride in a school van to a beach outside Porto. The 2.5-hour outing includes transport, surf equipment, insurance, safety guidance, paddling practice, and time to try the waves. Lessons suit beginners through advanced surfers. Nuno has been praised for attentive, encouraging instruction, though instructor requests are not guaranteed.
“Had an amazing time surfing for the first time ever. I did fall alot but thats always to be expected but instructions and help was always provided and was always comfortable throughout the whole experience.”
Meet Penas Surf School in Matosinhos for an approximately 90-minute surf experience, with equipment provided and instructors who take groups out in vehicles to find suitable teaching waves. Groups are limited to six for instructor attention. You can store your belongings and use the changing rooms, toilets, and showers at the school.
“Foi muito incrível! Como só estava eu e a minha amiga, o instructor teve muita dedicação para nos ensinar e repetir os exercícios. Vou querer voltar e comprar um pack de aulas, porque uma aula soube a pouco (ainda que o tempo de aula tenha sido muito generoso!). As ondas estavam baixinhas, o que foi perfeito para uma primeira experiência. Recomendo definitivamente.”
Pick a glass, a boat or a road out of town.
