Surf camp in Lagos with transfers to both coasts

What it is

Lagos lives a lot on surfing, but its beaches, on the south coast, only get waves in certain storms. The good waves are usually on the west coast, at beaches such as Arrifana, Amado or Bordeira, or in the Sagres area, between 20 and 45 minutes by car. That is why the Lagos schools work as camps: you sleep in the town and every morning a van takes you with board and wetsuit to whichever beach is best that day, on the south or west coast, depending on the wind and sea.

Who runs it

The Surf Experience is a surf school and camp based in Lagos since 1992. Its stays include accommodation, breakfast, a home-made packed lunch for the beach, lessons during the day, a daily transfer to the beach, board and wetsuit. On Thursdays they film a session and analyse it afterwards, and on Mondays there is yoga.

The stays it publishes, with prices from:

• 3-Day Taster, three nights: from €256 per person.
• 4-Day Break, four nights: from €323.
• 5-Day Classic, five nights: from €389.
• 7-Day Full Week, seven nights: from €514.

The price depends on the season and the room. On the three-night stay, from November to March it costs €256 in a shared room for three or four and €278 in a double; from April to June and in October, €278 and €302; from July to September, €306 and €332. If you bring your own board there is a discount. As well as its surf house, it offers rooms with private bathroom, a traditional guesthouse and a hotel option.

Who it is for

For those who have never surfed and for those who can already stand up and want to improve. When booking you choose your level from seven, from absolute beginner to expert, and they place you in a suitable group. The three-night stay is designed for a long weekend or a first taste. If you are travelling with teenagers, ask beforehand about the minimum age, which the school does not publish on the prices page.

How a day works

You have breakfast at the accommodation, head off by van to the chosen beach, have the lesson in the morning and eat on the beach what they prepared beforehand before returning to Lagos. It is a whole day out: bring water-resistant sun cream, a hat, warm clothes for after the water and a bottle.

When to go

You can surf all year. From November to March there are more waves and it is cheaper, but the water is cold and the day is short. In summer there are more people and the sea is gentler, good for starting. Spring and autumn usually combine waves, warm water and mid-range prices.

How to book

Book on the school's website, which asks for a deposit. According to its terms, the deposit stays valid until you use it and can be transferred to another person; read the terms before paying.

If you prefer a single lesson on the west coast without sleeping in Lagos, see surfing at Arrifana. And if you have a day without waves, the kayak at Ponta da Piedade leaves from the same harbour.