Learn to Surf at Dreamsea: Beachfront Surf & Yoga Camps in 8 Countries

A typical day at a Dreamsea camp starts early. You'll have breakfast around 7:30 or 8:00 — fruit, eggs, toast, coffee, sometimes local pastries — then head to the beach for a surf session that runs about two hours. Instructors split people into groups based on ability, so total beginners stay in the white water near the shore while more advanced surfers paddle out to the line-up. The lessons aren't just 'paddle and hope'; instructors like Kadek and Made in Bali Uluwatu are mentioned by name in reviews for being observant and safety-conscious, especially with novices. If you're not surfing that day, you can join a yoga class instead, or just hang around the camp.

After lunch — usually a big bowl of something healthy, sometimes fish, sometimes vegetarian — the afternoon is free. Some people go back for a second surf, others explore the nearest town, book a massage, or nap in a hammock. Late afternoon yoga is common across the camps, often on a deck with a view. Dinner is a communal affair, with long tables and food that gets consistently good reviews. One guest at the Alentejo camp said the food was 'insanely good', and another in Nicaragua ended up staying three weeks instead of one because they liked it so much. Evenings are relaxed: board games, a few drinks for those who want them, early nights for those who don't.

The accommodation is one of the things Dreamsea does differently. Instead of generic hotel rooms, many of the camps use sustainable vernacular architecture — bamboo, wood, local materials — built by hand. The glamping structures are made from fabric and natural fibres, designed to blend into the landscape, and they can be dismantled at the end of the season without leaving a trace. That means the rooms feel more like upscale camping than a resort, which is part of the appeal if you're trying to get away from the usual all-inclusive experience.

Dreamsea has been operating for years and now runs camps in Indonesia (Bali Uluwatu, Lombok, Mentawai), Costa Rica (Avellanas, Santa Teresa), France (Soulac-sur-Mer), Morocco (Imsouane), Nicaragua (San Juan del Sur), Portugal (Alentejo, Centro, Sintra), Spain (Cantabria, Gran Canaria, Mediterranean) and Sri Lanka (Ahangama). Each location has its own character — Uluwatu is perched on cliffs with panoramic ocean views, Alentejo is newer and more polished, Soulac-sur-Mer is a French beach town with a glamping area — but they all share the same approach to instruction, food and community.

If you're travelling with a group of 10 or more, or you want to host your own surf and yoga retreat, Dreamsea will put together a tailor-made offer and discount. That's a real option for teams, families, students or friend groups who want a trip that doesn't feel like a standard package holiday. Solo travellers are equally welcome; the communal setup makes it easy to meet people without feeling forced into organised fun. The camps attract a mix of ages and nationalities, and the common language is usually English, though you'll hear French, Spanish and Portuguese depending on where you are.

What's included

- Accommodation (private or shared rooms, glamping tents depending on destination) - Daily breakfast - Surf lessons with qualified instructors (number varies by package) - Surf equipment (boards, wetsuits where needed) - Yoga sessions (most locations) - Use of communal areas (decks, gardens, restaurant) - Welcome meeting and orientation - Wi-Fi in communal areas (most locations)

What's not included

- Flights - Airport transfers (unless specified) - Travel insurance - Lunch and dinner (at some locations) - Personal expenses - Massages and spa treatments - Optional excursions - Alcohol