Salty Sisters Surf Retreat & Instructor Course Lagos, Portugal 14/11/2026 – 21/11/2026

Portugal

Not just a retreat..

Portugal is where the Atlantic keeps its promises- this retreat is based just outside Lagos on the Algarve's south coast, with the town's beaches and famous coastline a short trip from your door.

Two coastlines within easy reach mean two very different moods of ocean: powerful North Atlantic swells on the west coast, and smaller, more sheltered, beautifully shaped waves on the south- so there's always somewhere good to surf, whatever the forecast is doing.

Small-group coaching keeps things properly personal, whether you're catching your first green wave or working on your turns, with the same supportive Salty Sisters energy running through every session.

You'll be staying at Surf Mansion Lagos- a lively, social surf house with a pool, hot tub, sauna and gardens full of orange trees, with simpler annex rooms next door for those who'd rather keep things quieter after a day in the water.

Three yoga sessions and two cross-training sessions are included across the week, alongside a hearty breakfast buffet every morning and a weekly BBQ that’s become one of the camp’s best-loved traditions.

Beyond the water, Lagos’ old town, marina and dramatic golden cliffs are just a short trip from camp, and one of the world’s most photographed stretches of coastline is right on your doorstep.

And if you want to turn this trip into something more, this retreat can also double as your ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Course- entirely optional, entirely up to you.

Looking for something specific? Get in touch with our team directly.

The Area And Surf Spots

Your Stay
The Algarve is one of Europe's best-loved surf regions, with two coastlines offering waves whatever the swell direction- powerful North Atlantic energy on the west coast, and smaller, more sheltered, southwest-facing waves along the south, close to Lagos where this retreat is based.

Surf Mansion Lagos sits just outside town, with transport included to whichever coast is firing on the day.

Beyond the water, Lagos' old town, marina and dramatic clifftop coastline make it easy to fill your downtime, all within easy reach of camp.

ISA Surf Instructor Course

Your Stay
Want to leave Portugal with more than a tan? Add on our ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Course, led by one of our female ISA-certified instructors, and turn your love of surfing into an internationally recognised qualification.

Run over 2 days alongside your retreat, the course covers everything you need to safely teach beginner and early intermediate surfers- from instructor safety and equipment to coaching methods, skill progression and programme planning- combining practical time in the water with structured theory sessions.

The ISA Level 1 is the global industry standard for surf instructors and opens the door to coaching work at surf schools worldwide. Whether you're a gap-year traveller, a career-changer or simply want to formalise years of experience in the water, you'll finish the course ready to teach- guided by a woman who's built her own career doing exactly that.

ACCOMMODATION

One surf mansion, two ways to stay
Included
You'll be based at Surf Mansion Lagos, a sociable surf house just outside Lagos, set in gardens of over 100 orange trees, with a pool, hot tub, sauna, ice bath, pizza oven, BBQ area and a ping pong table to fill your downtime between sessions.

Main Villa: Twin, double and triple rooms with private en-suite bathrooms (a couple share a hallway bathroom), each with underfloor heating for cooler months.

The Cottage: A simpler, more laid-back annex next door- three twin rooms and one double, sharing bathrooms, sleeping up to 8.

Access to the pool, hot tub, sauna, ice bath, pizza oven and BBQ area is included wherever you're staying.

Basic info summary

ACCOMMODATION (summary)

Stay at Surf Mansion Lagos- a sociable surf house just outside Lagos with a pool, hot tub, sauna and gardens full of orange trees, with a simpler annex option for those who want a quieter stay.

A hearty breakfast buffet is included every morning, with optional dinner freshly prepared by the camp’s own chef on other evenings. The weekly BBQ is a proper highlight — good food, good company, and the kind of evening that sums up why everyone comes back.

Coaching here is genuinely built around you- small groups, ISA-certified instructors, and sessions tailored to your level, whether you’re a complete beginner or already comfortable in the water.

With two coastlines to choose from, your coaches always have somewhere good to take the group- powerful North Atlantic swell on the west coast, or smaller, more sheltered, perfectly shaped waves on the south, depending on what the day’s conditions call for.

Want to take it further still? This week can also be your route to an ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Course, run alongside the retreat- entirely optional, entirely up to you.

Surfboards and wetsuits are provided for every coached session, matched to your ability and the conditions at whichever coast is firing that day.

Three yoga sessions and two cross-training sessions are included across the week, alongside access to an outdoor gym with sea views for whenever you want to keep moving between surf sessions.

Paddling out together is where the Salty Sisters spirit really shows- cheering each other into waves, celebrating every small win, and building the kind of friendships that carry on long after the trip ends.

The pool and sea-view bar are where camp life happens between sessions, with beach volleyball and relaxed evening walks rounding out the week.

Available on request

Ponta da Piedade Boat or Kayak Trip

Explore Lagos’ famous golden cliffs, sea caves and grottoes by boat or kayak, just minutes from the mansion.

Wander the cobbled streets, marina and café culture of Lagos, a short trip from camp.

Fire up the mansion’s wood-fired pizza oven for a group night in.

Location

Just outside Lagos, on the Algarve's south coast
Lagos
The retreat is based at Surf Mansion Lagos, just outside the town of Lagos on Portugal's Algarve coast, around an hour's drive from Faro Airport.

Lagos' old town, marina and the dramatic cliffs of Ponta da Piedade are a short trip from camp, with transport included to whichever coast is surfing best on the day.

Full accommodation, airport guidance and meeting details will be confirmed as part of your booking information.

Enquire Now, Your One Step Away From Your Perfect Wave.

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