I’ve spent 4 days with international surf school. I’m an expat living in Lisbon and had no one to contact when my car broke down 60kms away from Sagres. I got in touch with Sagres Surf school to cancel my booking and head back to Lisbon to get the car fixed. Surprisingly, after hanging up I received a phone call from the owner of the Surf School, Rui, telling me that he could pick me up from where I was and bring me to the School and that he would organize the fixing of the car, and so he did. The Surf School was spotless clean and disinfected, the rooms were at a very pleasant temperature to sleep despite outside it was around 30 degrees. The outside area is spacious and with all the facilities for you to have a bbq with your travel buddies. The staff knows the area very well and if you want to head to the beach they will tell you exactly which one to go depending on the wind direction in order to avoid the strong winds. What was meant to be a ruined long weekend turned up to be a very pleasant surprise, even the car was fixed the following day at 11 am. Thank you very much for the hospitality and keep up the amazing work you’ve been doing. I have no words to express their availability and efforts to make your stay enjoyable, you really feel welcome when you get there and they make you feel like you live there.

We've booked a three days lesson at ISS and had a really great time. The three teachers (Gordo, Rafa and João) were both funny and experienced. Within three days we learned how to surf the whitewater and it really worked. The beach they chose was perfect for beginners. If you don't have umbrellas to protect yourself from the sun while waiting for the best conditions they can offer you one. We got new shirts and wetsuits as well. Safety and fun are the premises and that's what made it memorable. Highly recommended to surf with ISS.

Friendly staff, great surf instructors, clean and freshly renovated. This is the place to stay if your looking for a nice relaxed surf trip

55,- Euro for a surf class with 10 people?! Beware, this is a rip-off. A normal price in Portugal is 25 - 30 Euro for such a class. Look elsewhere!

Dear Rosie, dear people, I just wanted to book lessons for a couple of days for the fifth or sixth time. Curious as I am, I wanted to google the Homepage of the "International Surf School Sagres" to see if anything has changed. I have read your bad review and was not only surprised but scared. No, I do not believe it. In all the years, I was alone and with my family here, I never experienced the teachers in the way you described. It's also that they went out into the waves and asked other surfers out of the area marked for the school, sometimes with clear words. Likewise, they try to make sure that the surf zones of the schools do not overlap. Even the own pupils are pointed out in a clear way to the rules of behavior between the waves. We have observed in other schools that it does not work and that even their own pupils are endangered, e.g. the beginner too close to the beach try to get the wave. So I'm going to book my surf lesson here again. Especially with these teachers who are prudent, respectful to the guests and as locals themselves with the locals, with great knowledge of the local beaches, with their special characteristics of the currents and winds. I am looking forward to being on the board in two weeks again, with the teachers: Gordo, Rafa, Carlos & Shrek

If you really want to learn to surf and not upset locals do NOT use this "school". They have no respect for the area and the locals. They arrive at small beaches with 6 minibuses full, take to the water in large groups increasing the risk of injury and crashes as well as ruining the beautiful places for all the other people. The instructors are more interested in gossiping on the beach, surfing themselves with very little guidance offered to students and arguing with other surfers in the water. They offered no guidelines to surfing the green waves with others, such as don't sit in front of others and let your board go when I wave comes, those on the wave have right of way etc which would result in a harmonious surf with the others at that spot. This school is the perfect example of what is causing the tension between locals and surf schools. I would definitely recommend attending a much smaller surf school with instructors that are passionate about sharing the surfing ethos as well as teaching.

Amazingly helpful staff. My friend and I were made to feel comfortable from the get go. I also got a few surfing tips. I met some amazing people and feel sad to be leaving. I will definitely come back again though!

It's very rare to find places like this. This surfcamp is absolutely perfect in everything. Rooms are super clean and beautiful with such an attention to details that I've rarely seen in all my traveling. Common areas are always tidy and clean with all necessary for an hassle free vacation. Surfing lessons are so much fun, and instructors take you to all the most beautiful beaches in the area teaching you how to stand on a board in no time. I rarely go back to the same place twice but here I will for sure. Highly recommended!

Absolute little piece of paradise on earth. The place is super tidy and well organized with everything to make you feel comfortable during your stay. The staff was always very professional and with great vibes! The location couldn’t be better as it is literally 5 min walk to the nearest beach and less than 10 to the center of the town... Want to learn how to surf? This is the place to go!!! Wrap up your surfing day with a nice barbecue at the surfcamp with sunset views!!!! Thanks guys!

Genial! El hostel está muy cuidado, con unas instalaciones muy acogedoras, que destacan por los detalles y la limpieza. Mel y Dave hacen que la estancia sea inmejorable, con un trato muy familiar y un desayuno destacable. Carlos, el profesor de surf, es un tío genial. Se preparan las clases a conciencia, eligiendo la hora y la playa en función de las mareas y tú nivel. Me vuelvo lleno de buenos consejos y feliz de haber cogido mis primeras olas de verdad! Si vais a Sagres, no lo dudeis, un hostel genial y una escuela perfecta para progresar con el surf!

The best surf school in the world! I was really frustrated with surfing and kind of stucked. I took first classes with someone else that didn’t help at all! Than someone recommended me this school and suddenly the fun is back and i could really improve my surfing!!! Thank you so so so much!!!! Especially to the surfcoach Rafael. And of course to Jessica who makes everything happen!

тренера хорошие, но слишком много людей в группе, плохая организация процесса - очень долгое время находимся на пляже уже после занятия вместо того чтобы возвращаться - пол-дня теряется, также иногда из-за погоды (или неправильно выбраной локации) занятия в воде проходили меньше времени чем было заявленно

Bad experience. However I have got reimbursed. The whole situation was the following: I called on the day before the lesson. Talked to a very polite receptionist. I have asked about single surf lesson, but contrary to what their site states (55 euros) the lesson costs outstanding 70 euros. Although very expensive I decided to give it a try. I have also said that we were two and the other person would not take lessons. She said they would charge an extra for the transfer of the second person. Since we were coming from Lagos (35 minutes away from Sagres by car) I have said it was not needed and I would drive myself there following their directions. (By the way one of their mini buses had only the driver and was all empty but still an "extra fee" was asked to take a second person, that's pure rip-off!) I have arrived at the school in time, paid, got the wetsuit, lycra then followed their mini buses to the first beach. Once we arrived there it took about half an hour to decide that it was not the good beach for beginners. Then instructors said "we are going to another beach". They rushed without saying where!!! We (our car and other 4 people inside another car) were lost without knowing where to go. Seriously? Either you are inside their mini buses or screw you! That's the spirit. They did not even slowed down to wait for us. I have tried to guess which road to take but no luck. As there are several dirty roads for each of the beaches it was not possible. I have then decided to get back to the school explain the situation and get my money back. At first the receptionist said she "would not give back". I have said "I could have left with their wetsuit and that would have costed them more, but I have preferred to be honest and get back my money for a service they did not honored". Around 10 minutes later she gave me the money back. I have no idea how the lesson is, but the group spirit did not existed. If the groups on those cars were their surf peers from abroad (not locals) they would not leave as they did with us. I do not recommend them at all.

I started as a complete beginner and I had never surfed before but due to the excellent teaching I could stand up by the end of it. Almost all the other people in the beginners group could too! Only thing is - they don't supply wetsuit boots so I had numb feet by the end.

Shame and disgrace to this school : not 1 but 0 star. Their goal is to try to make money more than to make people love and improve in surf. I specified I am intermediate, went to a group lesson knowing they would offer me an intermediate lesson. I waited 2h30 on a waveless beach and them trying to sell me a beginner lesson on the moment... Not fair guys. Above all the atmosphere isn't even good in beginners groups that I saw practicing while I was waiting.

We only stayed for one night, so no surf school. They had awesome staff who were very helpful. Very clean and tidy rooms. Modern and nice bathrooms. Overall a very pleasent stay.

Was a great pleasure and a lot of fun, learn surfing with this very cool and professional team of surf teachers. I think its hard to find a better surf school. Greetz from Philipp and the other 3 Austrians

Great place to experience surfing, don't think twice before choosing this guys. I know their prices are marginally more than other schools in the area but you get smaller groups and more attention form your instructor. We had so much fun and the beach Ponta Ruiva was just georgeous

Great surf school with best instructors possible whatever your level can be, Nicest surfcamp, Various spots in pretty environments with lovely waves, Cool places around with everything you need just a few minutes away by feet with amazing activities to do beside surf (definitely give a try to the dolphin tour...) ... What else George ??

The Surf School to choose if you want to learn to surf! Yes, the hostel is good and the staff are friendly and helpful... but all they really want to do is to teach you how to surf, and you will learn!!! A great bunch of people who are truly dedicated and equipped to teach all levels.

I've been back three times now, it's like a surfing home from home! Great location, with so many surf spots to choose from and excellent teachers. I caught my best wave ever, a long left at Tonel! The camp itself is the right mix of fun and chilled, a great outdoor area for relaxing and sunbathing and amazing homemade breakfasts (especially the cake!). The camp itself is very comfortable, clean and a welcome haven after a long day's surfing. It's in a great location too, opposite a very friendly local cafe, ATM and a massive supermarket 5 mins walk away for anything from fresh fruit and bread to local and imported beers and wine and a cafe area. There are also a variety of restaurants to choose from including Portuguese, US and Italian with locally caught fish and fresh dishes prepared. There's also the harbour, where you can take boat and fishing trips. Along the main street there are bars, some with live music, that make for a great night of bar-hopping. I've made great friends there, the girls in the camp always go out of their way to make you feel welcome, great local knowledge, arranging nights out...it's just a great place to stay and surf.

Not the typical surf camp. Not the typical guests. Not the typical hostel team. Not the typical review. Nothing is typical there, but most things are awesome. This place is ideal for an intense shark-free surfing holiday The rooms are nice looking, the stereo plays fine house music* and the oven even bakes cakes. There is frige, a common kitchen, a grill at the terrace outside and a wind free** workout place too. The duvets, beds and pillows are absolutely amazing. And that really matters given the amount of sports (and a little partying) you will probably go through. The team is a positive version of "The usual suspects". Did you think it was Darwin who got this "gang" together over years of natural selection? (well, it wasn't the hand of God either...). The location is a great one: in front of the lodge there is an ATM just at the side of a small café. That ensures a steady cash flow from the ATM to the café in order to provide the lovely guests with a reasonable amount of last-minute beers. At a 5min walking distance you will find a large supermarket, a series of bars and a couple of beaches. At a 10min driving distance you will find many other beaches from which you can choose depending on the usual surf variables (swell, wind direction, etc). The surf classes are great - I've seen countless people standing and trimming on waves with only a handful of classes. I've seen a thousand happy faces coming out of the water, from their classes. But you should be in reasonable shape if you are looking for results, because surfing takes both technique (which they will teach you) and cardio / power. Winter gym time will help you a lot! To enjoy the full potential of this place, and everything else Sagres has to offer, it is better to stay at least 5 days. Of course you will regret not staying longer. You have been warned :-) Fine print: * subject to changes, depending on the guests but kizomba is not alowed ** almost

International Surf School & Camp Sagres, aulas de surf, aluguer de material, alojamento