8-Day Surf and Yoga Wellness Escape in Santa Cruz, Portugal

The retreat runs Sunday to Sunday, with the first day dedicated to settling in. An open circle and welcome dinner on Sunday evening let everyone meet the hosts and each other. From Monday through Friday, the schedule is a rhythm of morning yoga, breakfast, then surfing. The yoga sessions are led by Inês, a Portuguese teacher with a 500-hour certification who has been teaching for over eight years. Her classes mix Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, and meditation, so the morning practice varies day to day based on what the group needs.

Surf lessons are guided by Rui, a level 1 instructor who has been surfing since he was 15. He grew up on these waves and knows the local breaks well, which means lessons are tailored to the conditions and to each person's skill. Group sizes stay small, capped at 14, so you get plenty of individual attention in the water. The camp provides all the boards and wetsuits, so you just need to show up.

Midweek, the schedule includes a day trip to Nazaré and Óbidos. Nazaré is famous for its giant waves, and you'll get to see the cliffs and viewpoint where they break, even if you're not surfing them yourself. Óbidos is a charming, walled medieval town with whitewashed houses and narrow streets, a nice contrast to the beach life. There's also a hike on the schedule, taking you along the coastline for views over the Atlantic.

The camp itself, Surfcamp 360º, is run by a small team including Andreia, who manages the day-to-day and does much of the cooking. Reviews consistently mention the food and the warm, family atmosphere. The accommodation is simple but comfortable, with options from a six-person dorm to a twin room that can be a private double or a shared twin, plus a solo private room. It's not a luxury resort — it's a surf camp where the focus is on the waves, the yoga, and the people.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation (choose from dorm, twin, or private room) - Airport pickup and drop-off (from Lisbon Airport on Sundays) - Transfers to and from Santa Cruz - 7 breakfasts (vegetarian and vegan available) - 2 dinners (welcome and farewell, based on the itinerary) - 5 yoga classes - 5 surf lessons - 1 tour to Nazaré and Óbidos - 1 hike - Free wifi - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Lunches (except as noted) - Additional dinners not listed (some meals are not included; the description says all breakfasts and 2 dinners are included) - Additional treatments and activities not in the itinerary - Personal expenses