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THE HOMELAND OF EUROPEAN BODYBOARDING
Southern Portugal is home to endless swell, gorgeous weather, stunning coastline, incredible gastronomy, as well as super-friendly people, low costs, epic surf and the best thing? For our UK and Ireland customers it’s only 2 hours away…
Mave our lead instructor, who lives in Portugal, regards him and his team as bodyboarding butlers! He takes care of everything from the logistics, accommodation and guiding you to the best waves for your ability to personalised coaching and capturing all the bodyboarding on camera. You just need to bodyboard, eat, sleep, repeat!
All abilities, novice to proficient riders, that haven’t the time to organise a trip, wish to switch off their brain for a week and be looked after in luxury accommodation, sharing good times with likeminded people. Those also looking to improve their riding through personalised coaching or just intensive free surfing in Europe’s best bodyboarding waves. What are you waiting for?
Our Portuguese bodyboard week comprises 7 nights accommodation in two handpicked,self catering apartments with an epic location, just 550 metres from Porto de Mos beach.
One of the advantages of visiting Portugal is the excellent yet affordable restaurant options. We take pride in choosing the best coastal eateries for us to enjoy on a nightly basis. Evening meal price not included. Budget 15 euro per day. This flexibility allows us to eat at a vast selection of coastal locations, near to the surf spots that we will visit, allowing a full flavour of Portugal. Full self-catering option available at the villa.
Throughout the week we will run several bodyboarding related workshops that are optional to attend.
We spend a lot of time bodyboarding, but when it is finished for the day, people’s time is then their own to visit local tourist attractions, surf shops, walk to one of the many beachside cafes or explore Lagos’ old town and marina. We guide you to the areas of local interest.
The evenings are for kicking back, hanging out and eating together. Watching a stunning sunset at the beach with some cool drinks, or playing pool, table tennis, using the swimming pool or catching the latest bodyboarding film on the TV.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll know bodyboarding has taken off in Portugal – it’s absolutely buzzing with local talent. With so many breaks to learn their trade on, it’s no wonder the world tour has seen an influx of Portuguese riders stake their claim in recent years.
Our luxury headquarters in the south of Portugal is perfectly situated to take advantage of both the North Atlantic swells on Portugal’s west coast and the Mediterranean swells on the Algarve’s south coast. This gives us so many options regardless of wind direction and swell size.
Within a 30 minute radius of our new apartments, the two coastlines offer more than 20 breaks that are ideal for bodyboarding. It is our aim to seek out the best spot each day, to avoid crowds, to surf a variety of waves throughout the week and to share with you this beautiful corner of Portugal.
We’ve got our hands on two self-catering apartments with an epic location, just 550 metres from Porto de Mos beach. It takes only ten minutes to stroll from your digs to this golden stretch of sand – one of the best surfing beaches in Lagos with its shimmering sea, limestone cliffs and chilled-out cafes.
Both apartments have private outdoor space, perfect for al fresco breakfasts before hitting the waves. One has a balcony with views of palm trees and the ocean, while the other has a ground-floor terrace surrounded by purple azaleas and pretty gardens. The apartments are part of a larger condominium, so you get to use a whole host of communal facilities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, hot tub and tennis court.
Inside, expect cool Mediterranean style, with terracotta tiled floors, whitewashed walls and big windows that let the Portuguese sunshine stream in. Both apartments feature cosy living rooms with comfy sofas, plus well-equipped kitchens giving you the flexibility of self-catering.
Included:
One of the advantages of visiting Portugal is the excellent yet affordable restaurant options. We take pride in choosing the best eateries for us to enjoy on a daily basis. Budget 15€ per day to sample the variety of fine Portuguese cuisine as well as giving us the flexibility to eat at a vast selection of coastal locations, near to the surf spots that we will visit, allowing a full flavour of Portugal. Full self-catering option available at the villa.
Open to all abilities – with suitable bodyboarding conditions for all.
The spread of Portugal’s bodyboarding breaks means we’ll always be able to find quiet peaks – perfect if you’re a beginner learning the basics or an intermediate rider looking to reach the next stage. Then there are the incredible wedges and more challenging reefs for the advanced rider. With just eight riders, we can easily split the group by abilities to cater for all levels of bodyboarding experience.
With two coastlines to explore, offering 20+ beaches we’ll be able to find you the right waves for your ability. This is great if you’re looking to test yourself without jumping in at the deep end.
Whatever your level, our coaching team is on hand to offer daily guiding and tuition should you want it. This is tailored to your ability, with instructors who are in-house qualified and fully insured, and includes beach, water and classroom-based tuition. With an instructor to client ratio of 1:4, we can really progress your bodyboarding in just one week.
Our team comprises of two local bodyboarders that are fluent in English and Portuguese, experienced lifeguards, and that have 20 years of surfing and worldwide travel behind them.
We’ve got your back whatever your ability, and that’s a promise. Don’t stress if you’re only now giving it a go – on this trip there’s something for everyone, and we all have to start somewhere.
In fact, you’ll be amazed how quickly you master paddling out to catch good-quality waves, and we’re committed to patiently helping you progress.
Foundation coaching includes:
There is good reason why there are so many amazing bodyboarders spawned from these shores. The waves lend themselves to high level bodyboarding and we can help you perfect specific moves from reverse spins to airs. The variety of the waves in this area is huge and as a result we can focus on every aspect of your riding. Or put more of a focus on guiding you to the best waves each day and letting you enjoy them while being videoed by our team. Joao and Mave rip prone and dropknee respectively. They not only have the riding experience but they both take great pride and pleasure in taking people’s riding to the next level. They have an innate ability to explain the technical aspects of bodyboarding and give game changing tips in an understandable and practical manner. If you’re already a ripper and are just looking forward to exploring and tackling some Atlantic swell in good company, you’ll love Portugal – a daily routine of seeking out the best breaks in the area, pulling into glassy tubes and boosting out of barrels in the sun.
Intermediate and Advanced coaching includes:
We don’t book your air travel, but super-cheap flights are always on offer through budget airlines to Faro. It’s only a couple of hours from the UK, with fantastic air links with the rest of Europe and the world.
We include an airport pick up at 6pm on the first day of the trip and a drop off at 8am on the last day, so organise your flights accordingly.
If you would like to arrive or depart at another time of the day, we can help you to organise a transfer to or from the airport for around 50 Euros.
For our English customers you can fly to Faro Airport (FAO) from Manchester, Birmingham and London airports with EasyJet and Ryanair. If you are flying from the UK, we work closely with the good people at Dial-A-Flight, so get in touch and they can hook you up – just give them a call and ask to speak to our bodyboarder-friendly agent, Lee (020 7295 1556).
Alternatively, check out SkyScanner to find the nearest flights to your location. When booking, make sure you check the airline’s baggage charges by weight and number, so you don’t get hit with any nasty hidden fees on the day.
Remember we also hire equipment, which works out cheaper than paying extra for a large ‘sports equipment’ bag in the hold and saves you carrying the thing! Just let us know in advance if this is something you’d like to do.
Once you’ve collected your bags, we’ll meet you at the arrivals area. Our representative will have a clipboard that clearly states ‘Bodyboard-Holidays’, and we’ll be looking for people with bodyboard bags.
You may have a short wait at the airport as the rest of the group assembles. If this is the case, it might be worth bringing a good book, a Kindle or an iPad. There is a Costa Coffee with WiFi in the arrivals area.
Once everyone has been located, we’ll check you in. We’ll then transport everyone back to the luxury villa, where you’ll be shown to your room. Shortly after arriving we’ll have a big group welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead.
You’re of course free to fly into wherever you choose, but please note you’ll need to find your own way to Lagos if you’re not landing at Faro. If you would prefer to make your own transfer arrangements or can’t make the whole week that’s fine – just let us know.
This corner of Portugal has it all. From Lagos, which boasts a beautiful old town, modern marina and vibrant nightlife, to the rugged cliffs and barren landscapes of Sagres, an old seafaring town situated on the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. As well we’ll be spending time exploring the hidden and spectacular beaches of the Costa Vicentina – a lush green natural park on the Atlantic coast which has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the country with an abundance of marine life and wildlife.
It’s the ridiculous wave potential in this region which excites any bodyboarder with a heartbeat – from the desolate sandy stretches along the Costa Vicentina to the better-known wedges of Sagres and the super fun beach breaks around Lagos.
A week barely scratches the surface here, but we’ll be sure to maximise every minute for you, helping you progress in your riding and getting you the best waves for your ability every single day.
FOOD
We suggest you budget €15 Euro per day to cover your evening meal and any additional snacks, coffees or ice creams during the day.
EQUIPMENT HIRE
If you decide not to bring your own kit (or you don’t own it) to hire equipment for the week the prices are as follows;
Swim fins – 20€ per week
Board – 30€ per week
Wetsuit – 50€ per week
FLIGHT
You organise and book your own flight to Faro.
The climate in Lagos is determined by the warm Gulf Stream which create Mediterranean style temperatures, so you can be sure to expect reliably dry, sunny weather.
During the months of May and November you are most likely to experience good weather with average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).
In the ocean, swell season is year-round! The water temperature rarely gets lower than 16°C in the spring, and can reach 19°C in the autumn, so a 3/2mm or a 4/3mm wetsuit will be fine for either end of summer. It can also be warm enough for a shortie on the hot days.
At the time of booking, you will receive an email listing all of the kit you need for your bodyboard holiday.
What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss, with the trip leader, the required kit and equipment, on the pre-trip video call.
We Offer 3 Easy Ways To Pay!
We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details on.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with a host of new bodyboarding buddies.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for up to 24 hours without payment.
You are welcome to attend for a shorter period to suit your personal schedule, however the package price will remain the same.
Group booking discounts are available, please contact us for more information.
ASAP! These holidays fill up quickly and, with limited spaces available, sell out fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. If you want to secure your place on the trip, it is advised that you pay as soon as you can.
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to book or chat through the holiday details, we can be contacted through our online chat.
We have a great mix of all ages from young whipper-snappers to silver surfers.
The gender ratio at the moment is around 60% men to 40% women. However, this is constantly changing and Bodyboard Holidays is inclusive to all.
Nearly all International mobile networks work in Portugal. For internet calls, there’s WiFi access at the villa with a decent connection.
Yes, a strong connection throughout the villa.
You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of bodyboarder you are. You may be in a different group suited to your ability, however, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at the villa and during our social evening meals.
We choose the time of year and location for our holidays based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities and day trips to help you get the most out of your holiday.
Please take a look at our Area section for more information. We may also adjust the format of the week, for example, choosing to run more bodyboard sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.
Please visit our Terms & Conditions for more information.
The area that we visit is blessed with constant surf, you can expect great conditions most days of the trip. To give you a clearer idea, the videos on this webpage were all filmed during previous bodyboard holiday trips.
Please refer to the Waves section for more details.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as reading their guidance for carrying bodyboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving, so a tough bag and intelligent packing are a must.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with a permanent marker. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes around your board inside the bag for added protection. Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking the zips on your bag with a padlock.
Visas are not required for British and European passport holders for stays under 90 days. Passports must be valid for three months from the date of entry into Portugal. Non-European travellers should seek advice about visa requirements from their travel agent.
If you’re not a British national, please check international travel requirements for your nationality.
Please contact your travel agent or airline if you have any further questions. It’s a good idea to carry photocopies of your important documents and guide books and pack them separately. We also suggest scanning copies and emailing them to yourself for extra reassurance.
If you are under 18, we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the holiday. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat with you about the trip before you book. Please contact us via our online chat.
On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes. Please inform us if you’re early or delayed for any reason.
If you need help booking your flight then just drop us a line or read our helpful blog post about booking flights.
If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away. Our transfer representatives will have access to your arrival details. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them follow the instructions in your pre-arrival email. One of the team will locate you.
As with any holiday, full travel insurance is a requirement for all guests booking a trip with the company.
Please also ensure that your policy covers you for ‘disruption to travel’ and ‘cover for cancellations’ as standard.
For further help please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
You may need to add additional cover for surfing or bodyboarding, it is essential that your insurance policy covers you for all activities during your stay. Failure to take out travel insurance breaks the contract between Bodyboard Holidays and the client.
If you are joining one of our trips and you are native to the country of its location (i.e you live in Lisbon and are joining our Portugal trip) you do not need to take out medical travel insurance. This is as long as you have your own personal health-care plan or are covered by your country’s National Health Service. Although, we kindly request that you still take out trip disruption and cancellation insurance to cover all possible eventualities.
Visit your government’s travel advisory website for the latest Portugal health advice. Here’s a link to the UK government Portugal travel advice page.
The currency in Portugal is the Euro which you can pick up from travel agencies, banks or post offices. There are exchange facilities in airports as well as ATMs.
Please get your money changed before the trip or bring a valid card to withdraw from an ATM in Lagos. This is within walking distance from the villa. We plan to be surfing and chilling as much as possible, so please don’t bring currency other than Euros. It’s your responsibility to organise your currency in your own time.
Please refer to the “What to budget for?” section.
