Arrifana Surf School & Camp

A surf school and camp in the Arrifamar development, above Arrifana beach, with a hut on the sand from May to October. It says it has been teaching for more than 18 years; it gives group lessons of 2 and 3 hours and private lessons.

Who they are

The school was founded in 2007 by Francisco Oliveira, whom the school calls "The Bear", and it is still based in the Arrifamar development, at no. 31, at the top of the cliff that closes off Arrifana beach, in the municipality of Aljezur. Arrifana is a crescent-shaped cove closed in by cliffs, on the west coast of the Algarve, inside the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. The school says it has looked after more than 15,000 customers. Its website does not give details of the instructors' qualifications or its registration number as a tourist-activity company, so if that matters to you it is worth asking when you book.

What it offers and where

The core is surf lessons. The group ones last two or three hours, are for beginners and intermediates, and have a maximum of eight students. The private ones are for one or two people, of any level, and the school publishes a higher rate from May to October than from November to April. For experienced surfers there are advanced lessons in groups of five at most. As well as at Arrifana, the school works at the beaches of Monte Clérigo and Amoreira, also in Aljezur, depending on where conditions are best that day.

Alongside the lessons there is a surf camp with accommodation a short walk from the beach and breakfast included, with one-week packages, and a board and wetsuit hire service sponsored by Billabong. The hut on Arrifana beach is open from May to October, and the hire runs from 8:30 to 19:30. Outside that season the school still gives private lessons, at the winter rate.

Equipment and ages

In every lesson the price includes board, wetsuit, leash and insurance if needed. You only need to bring swimwear, a towel and sun cream. The website sets no minimum age for lessons, nor does it publish fixed times: the time depends on the tide and the state of the sea, and the school confirms it when you book.

Bookings, cancellation and languages

Group lessons are booked online on the website, with the availability button, and the school says that booking two to five days ahead gives access to lower prices. Private and advanced ones are requested by WhatsApp or SMS on +351 961 690 249. They also answer at [email protected]. The website does not publish a cancellation policy or the language of the lessons: it is written in English, and for lessons in Spanish it is worth asking beforehand.