39.60° N · 9.07° W · Nazaré
Nazaré is famous for the biggest waves ever surfed, but those break at Praia do Norte. The town beach, sheltered by the Sítio, has small waves much of the year, and that is where people learn. Nazare Surf School gives 90-minute lessons from its base facing the sand.
Part of Nazaré
Who offers it
Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change.
A surf lesson in the very town of the giant waves, but in the calm water of the bay, with instructors born in Nazaré.
It lasts 90 minutes. It begins on the sand with a warm-up and an explanation of how to paddle, how to catch the whitewater and how to stand up. Then the group is split among the instructors according to level, and each person goes into the water with theirs. The school provides the board, the wetsuit and the insurance; you only bring swimwear and a towel. If you already surf, the lesson helps you correct your technique; if you have never picked up a board, you start in the foam, near the shore.
The school has a base on Avenida da República, the seafront promenade, facing the beach. You change there: there are men's and women's changing rooms, hot showers and lockers, and a ramp for wheelchair access. They do not provide a padlock, but you can leave valuables at reception.
The group lesson costs €35 per person. If you are staying a few days, the 5-lesson pass is €175 and the 10-lesson pass €330. Private lessons, for one or two people, cost €80 for one and €70 each for two. For €20 more they take photos of the lesson and for €30, a video.
For those who already surf, the school hires boards, wetsuits, bodyboards and stand-up paddle boards by the hour, the day or the week: board with wetsuit, €25 for two hours and €40 for the day.
The school is open every day of the year, from 9:00 to 18:00. In summer the water is warmer and the sea in the bay is usually calmer; from autumn to spring you need a full wetsuit and it is wise to ask beforehand about the state of the sea. On days of great storms, when Praia do Norte fills with onlookers, the school decides whether lessons can be given on the town beach.
Lessons are in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.
For beginners, for those who can already stand up and want to improve, and for teenagers and families. Children must be able to swim and be comfortable in the water. If you are travelling with small children who do not want to go in, the town beach is wide and sheltered for staying on the sand.
Who it's for
What to bring
Map
What you have around the starting point.
More to do
Itineraries
Tips
Write to [email protected] or call +351 916 386 907 with your level and the number of people.
A lesson at 10:00 leaves you time to eat in the Praia and go up to the Sítio on the funicular.
Questions
No. Lessons are given on the town beach; Praia do Norte is the one with the giant waves.
€35 in a group, 90 minutes, with board, wetsuit and insurance.
Yes, lessons are also given in Spanish.
Yes, all year, from 9:00 to 18:00.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/central-portugal/nazare/things-to-do/surf-lesson-nazare-beach
