You decided to go surf in Madeira. This guide doesn’t explain why it’s a good idea, you already know that. It answers the only question left: which camp to pick, for which budget, for which level.
Five camps stand out on the island. They don’t target the same profiles and don’t offer the same formats. Here’s what you need to compare before booking.
“I’ve been to Madeira 3 times and surfed twice at Porto Da Cruz and Machico. I loved this still-wild, preserved island. Madeira is known for its big winter swells but from spring there are plenty of small waves to learn to surf in peace.” Fanny – Travel Surf.
Quick comparison
| Camp | Location | Level | Price | Strong point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madeira New Wave | Porto da Cruz | Beginner → Intermediate | From €565 ($616) / week | Best value, ★ 4.9/5 |
| Madeira Surf Camp | Porto da Cruz | Beginner → Intermediate | On request | Guesthouse + on-site school, 3 to 7 days |
| Calhau Surf School | Porto da Cruz | Beginner → Intermediate | On request | Max 6 surfers per instructor, since 2009 |
| Ohana Surf Camp | Machico | Beginner → Intermediate | From €800 ($872) / 8 days | Surf + yoga, full villa, small groups |
| Madeira Surf Lodge | São Vicente | Intermediate → Advanced | On request | North coast, boutique lodge, personalized coaching |
Madeira New Wave — The most popular
Madeira New Wave is the highest-rated camp on the island: 5/5 from over 200 reviews. It’s based in Porto da Cruz, on the northeast coast, two minutes’ walk from Alagoa beach and five minutes from Praia da Maiata.
The 8-day package starts at €565 ($616). It includes accommodation, surf lessons, boards and wetsuits, transfers to spots and access to activities like bodyboarding, yoga and hiking. All-inclusive format, no surprises.
The camp suits complete beginners and intermediates. Groups are small — it’s a local outfit, not a franchise. If you go solo or with a friend, it’s the most solid starting point.
For who: first surf trip, controlled budget, friendly atmosphere.
| Duration | Price | Included | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 days | From €565 ($616) | Accommodation, lessons, board, wetsuit, transfers | Beginner → Intermediate |
Madeira Surf Camp — The surfers’ guesthouse
Madeira Surf Camp has been set up in the center of Porto da Cruz village for several years. The place runs as both a guesthouse and a surf school. You stay on site, you surf with the school’s instructors either at Porto Da Cruz or at Machico depending on conditions. Private and shared rooms available, panoramic terrace, equipped kitchen, WiFi.
Lessons run 2 hours and include board, wetsuit, leash, wax and insurance. Formats run from 3 to 7 days based on your availability. The school is also listed on Booking.com for accommodation only.
It’s the most established outfit in Porto da Cruz, ideal if you want a fixed base from which everything is walkable.
For who: beginner or intermediate, flexible 3 to 7 day stay, want to be in the village.
Calhau Surf School — The most technical
Calhau Surf School is the first surf school to open on the island, in 2009. It’s based in Porto da Cruz and certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation. What sets it apart from the others: maximum 6 students per instructor, plus session photos to analyze your stance and progress faster.
For full stays, Calhau partners with Hotel Vila Bela and Nature Guest House, five minutes from the sea. The package includes accommodation in private or shared rooms, homemade breakfast, 2-hour lessons and all the gear. Other meals are available at the hotel restaurant.
For who: beginner or intermediate who wants fast progress, technical profile, week-long stay.
Ohana Surf Camp — Surf and yoga in Funchal
The format is different from the other camps: accommodation is in an apartment in Funchal, Madeira’s capital, shared between participants: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, common kitchen and rooftop perfect for chilling.
The 8-day package includes more than 12 hours of surf lessons run by Surf Clube da Madeira certified instructors, 3 yoga sessions, all the gear (board, wetsuit, leash), sport insurance, buffet breakfast every morning, round-trip airport transfers and transfers to the spots. Lessons available in French, English, Portuguese, Polish and Spanish.
It’s the most complete format in terms of inclusions. The price starts around €920 ($1 003) for 8 days.
For who: beginner or intermediate, into a yoga/wellness vibe, solo travel, small groups.
Madeira Surf Lodge — The north coast lodge
Madeira Surf Lodge is in São Vicente, on the north coast, away from the buzz of Porto da Cruz. It’s a boutique outfit: two suites with terrace in the main house, three bedrooms in a secondary house, a wooden bungalow in the garden for couples. The lodge was fully renovated in December 2024. TripAdvisor rating: ★ 4.9/5 from 39 reviews.
The offer focuses on personalized training programs rather than classic group lessons. São Vicente is exposed to north swells and gives access to less crowded spots than Porto da Cruz. It’s clearly a different profile from the other four camps.
For who: intermediate or advanced, looking for a less crowded spot, intimate lodge feel rather than busy surf camp.
How to pick your camp
If this is your first contact with surf, Madeira New Wave and Calhau are the two most solid options. New Wave for the vibe and value, Calhau if you want tight technical coaching with few students per instructor.
If you want to combine surf and wellness in a shared-house atmosphere, Ohana is built for you. It’s also the simplest format logistically: everything is included, even airport transfers.
If you already surf at intermediate or advanced level and want sessions on less crowded spots, Madeira Surf Lodge in São Vicente is the only option offering this profile on the island.
On timing: Porto da Cruz and Machico work well from June to November. São Vicente (Madeira Surf Lodge) is more interesting in fall and winter, when the north swells come in directly.
Other places to stay in Madeira
FAQ
Insurance for your surf trip
Before you go, think about your surf travel insurance. Chapka covers broken gear, in-water injury, cancellation and repatriation for around €19/week — far better than what your credit card offers, with real coverage for surf sports. Free quote in 2 minutes.
June to August for beginners: small, steady waves, water between 21 and 23°C. September to November for intermediates: more consistent swell, water still warm. Winter (December-March) is reserved for experienced surfers, with powerful swells on the north coast.
No. Madeira New Wave, Madeira Surf Camp, Calhau and Ohana all welcome complete beginners. Lessons systematically start on the sand before going in the water.
The camps provide wetsuits. If you bring your own: 3/2 mm from June to October, 4/3 mm from November to May.
Madeira has fewer camps than Morocco or the Canaries (see the Tenerife surf camps), but groups are smaller and the island is less saturated with surf tourists. It’s a good option if you want to skip the big destinations and discover a really different place. Morocco and the Canaries remain more accessible for a beginner surfer unless you like exploring the island and using your surf trip to hike.
Madeira New Wave and Ohana are regularly full for July-August by April. For other periods, 4 to 6 weeks of lead time are usually enough.
Still hesitating between several camps? We can help you pick based on your dates, level and budget.
