There are two set packages: 4 nights with 3 surf days, or 7 nights with 5 surf days. On a surf day you have breakfast at the hostel, the team checks the swell, and then they drive you to the beach that suits your level that day. Because Raposeira sits close to both the south and west coasts, there's almost always somewhere with workable waves. That's handy in winter, when one coast can be blown out while the other is clean. Boards, wetsuits and the beach transfer are all included.

Lessons are held all year in small groups. The instructors adjust what they teach to who's in the water, so a first-timer learning to pop up and someone working on turning down the line can both come out of the same session having learned something. Guests mention instructors Pedro and Luke by name. Pedro gets particular credit for working patiently with young kids.

What sets this place apart from a lot of surf camps is the hostel itself. Guests call the kitchen the best they've seen in any hostel. It's big, well equipped and the kind of place you actually want to cook in. Some rooms are studios with their own bathroom, a small fridge and a terrace with hammocks. Most evenings there's the option of a shared dinner, often cooked by Carlos, and plenty of guests say it's the highlight of their stay. The owners are around and hands-on, and several reviewers say the staff made the trip.

On non-surf days, or on afternoons when you're tired, the team can set you up with a stand-up paddle trip or coasteering. You can also hike in Costa Vicentina Natural Park, drive into Sagres to see the town and the cliffs, or go eat proper Portuguese food in the villages nearby. Raposeira is a bit out of the way, so a car helps if you want to explore. The daily beach shuttle covers the surfing either way.

If you want a full surf-and-food package, you can add lunch boxes (3 for €30 on the short package, 5 for €50 on the week) and dinners at the same prices. That way you don't have to think about food at all.

What's included

- 4 or 7 nights accommodation at the surf hostel in Raposeira - Daily breakfast - 3 or 5 surf lessons in small groups (depending on package) - Surf equipment (board and wetsuit) - Daily transfers to the best beach for the conditions - Qualified, federation-certified instructors - Use of the shared kitchen and common areas

What's not included

- Flights and transfers to Raposeira - Lunches (lunch boxes available as an extra) - Dinners (available as an extra) - SUP and coasteering trips - Car hire - Travel insurance - Personal expenses