5-Day Surf & Yoga Wellness Escape on Portugal's Atlantic Coast

The retreat runs out of Santa Cruz and the nearby village of Porto Novo, on a stretch of the Portuguese coast that's been a surf destination for decades. Rui Ferreira, who started Sea Krew, grew up surfing here and knows every break between Ericeira and Peniche. His thing is finding the right wave for the group on any given day — sandy bottoms where beginners feel safe, more challenging spots when the crew is ready.

Your mornings with Rui follow a clear structure. You meet at the lodge at 10:30, drive to the chosen beach, warm up on the sand, and get a proper briefing on technique — paddling, positioning, popping up. He demonstrates, you practice, then you're in the water. Lessons run about two hours, and the group's small size means he can actually watch what you're doing and correct it. Afterward there's usually a video review so you can see what you did right.

The yoga side is led by Carla, who trained in Hatha at Sivananda Ashram in India and has been teaching since 2017. Sessions are Vinyasa-style flow, but she adapts to whoever's in the room, so you're not lost if you're new. The point isn't advanced poses — it's loosening up after hours in the water and giving your body something other than paddling to do.

Afternoons are mostly yours. The hotel sits close to the beach, and the staff can arrange extra activities if you want them — surfskate lessons, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking the cliff trails, or a vineyard tour with wine tasting. Some people take the quiet time to explore Santa Cruz's whitewashed streets and seafood restaurants; others just sleep. The hosts are clear about one thing: this is your holiday, and the structure flexes around you.

What makes it stick is the hosting. Rui and Magda handle everything with a personal touch — they're the type who answer pre-booking questions at length and will drive you past a good local bar on the way back from the beach. The retreat is small enough that you're not a booking number, and that carries through the whole week.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation in the Well Hotel & Spa - 4 two-hour surf lessons (or SUP depending on conditions, surfing prioritized) - 4 yoga sessions with Carla - Daily breakfast at the hotel - Airport pickup and drop-off (Lisbon) - Transportation to surf spots during the retreat - Free use of high-quality surf and paddle equipment - Theory lesson and video analysis - Tour of the surf factory - Welcome drink - Professional event photos - Wi-Fi connection - Parking - 10% discount on massage at the wellness center (Deluxe Sea Suite bookings) - Free cancellation up to 60 days before arrival

What's not included

- Lunch and dinner - International flights (except airport transfers as noted) - Visa fees - Additional activities not in the itinerary (e.g., vineyard tours, surfskate, extra massages) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses