Learn to Surf in Australia, Bali or Portugal with Mojosurf

A typical day at a Mojosurf camp is built around the water. You surf with an instructor, eat, rest, and surf again. Lessons run in English, but instructors keep things simple, and at the Australian camps you will be in the water with plenty of other German speakers — in the last 12 months more online bookings for the Australian camps came from Germany, Switzerland and Austria than from any other region, Australia included.

Spot X is the bigger of the two Australian camps. It sits on the beach at Arrawarra, in a marine park north of Coffs Harbour, with meals, cabins and tipis, and bonfire nights. It is right on the east coast route between Sydney and Byron Bay, so it slots into a road trip. The Great Aussie Learn to Surf Adventure starts in Sydney, Byron Bay or Brisbane and spends all five nights at Spot X. Byron Bay is at the Arts Factory Lodge, a 10-minute walk from town, with a pool and hammocks.

The Indonesian camps each have a different character. Canggu is for cafés, beach clubs and nightlife. Nusa Lembongan is a short boat ride away, with clear water and diving. Kuta Lombok is on an island east of Bali with dramatic scenery and varied breaks. Red Island in East Java has uncrowded waves. The 14 Day Mojocare Sustainable Travel trip links Red Island and Bali.

Portugal has two camps on the west coast. Ericeira is a World Surfing Reserve, with the camp close to the town centre and its famous breaks. Peniche sits in Baleal, steps from the sand, on a stretch of coast with consistent waves all year. Direct flights run from Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Vienna in 3 to 4 hours.

If you want to stay longer, the Surf Academy runs at Spot X in Australia and in Indonesia. You surf every day and get coached properly, from two weeks up to three months. The 14 Day Surf Academy Taster is the way in if you are not sure yet. The three-month courses work towards a surf instructor qualification.

Mojosurf has been running camps since 1998. The company publishes sustainability commitments it says it makes every day, and the Mojocare trip is built around them. Guests review the camps warmly — one described the three-night camp at Arrawarra as fantastic, another called the east coast surf days the best they had done.

What's included

- Surf lessons with an instructor - Surf gear and boards - Accommodation at the camp (cabins or tipis at Spot X; Arts Factory Lodge at Byron Bay) - Meals at Spot X - Bonfire nights at Spot X - Pool and hammocks at Byron Bay

What's not included

- Travel to and from the camp - Visas and the Bali tourist levy - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Surf gear advice and purchases (offered separately)