Surf Camp in Les Landes: Tipi Glamping and Daily Surf Lessons at Bias-Mimizan

The camp is a secluded pocket of Camping Le Tatiou, fenced with bamboo and built around a big central area where everyone gathers. Accommodation is in tipi tents: the Family Tipi has a double bed with good mattresses plus two mattresses on the ground for kids, a mini fridge, camping locker, lighting and a cool box with crockery. The Deluxe Tipi sleeps four in single beds and can be booked as a whole tent or as a bed in the dorm tipi. Couples or solo travellers wanting something smaller and cheaper can take the Bungalow tent with two single beds that convert to a double. Families who'd rather not sleep under canvas can book the Mobile Home, which has two bedrooms, its own bathroom, kitchenette and a covered terrace.

Surfing is the reason people come, but lessons are optional — you pay the standard accommodation price and add a surf package when booking. The package starts with a theory session on Sunday morning, including a materials and safety briefing, then you get either 2 x 1.5-hour or 4 x 1.5-hour lessons depending on what you choose. Lessons run 1.5 hours including warm-up and a recap of theory, in small groups that alternate practice and theory. Instructors cover technique, safety, reading the ocean and equipment. Boards, wetsuits and lycras are provided in all sizes, including long-sleeve suits for kids, and you're welcome to bring your own wetsuit or board. Advanced surfers get level 2 coaches.

Half board means an extensive breakfast with coffee, tea and fruit juice every day from the morning after arrival until departure day, plus dinner on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If you don't fancy packing lunch, order a beach sandwich in the morning and it turns up at the beach with a drink. Pizza night is a separate sign-up and, by the camp's own account, the best pizzas in Les Landes. Vegetarians and allergies are catered for if you flag them at booking; if you need specific ingredients, bring them and hand them to the chef, as local supermarkets don't always stock everything.

The team comes back summer after summer. Owners Tom and Evy are on site with their son Skip and dachshund Cola-Pinto. Tom has been at the camp for more than 30 years and still surfs whenever he can. Lisa has handled bookings and logistics for 11 years and spends the whole season in Bias with her husband Kalusha and their sons River and Reef. Wouter is the surf photographer, 12 years in the surf scene, and doubles as a cook and general fixer. Surf coaches, chefs and babysitters round out the crew, and there's a welcome meeting on the Saturday where they explain the activities and give tips on the area.

Camping Le Tatiou adds a swimming pool (tight swimming trunks required for men), two playgrounds, a pétanque court, a multi-sports field and a tennis court. The sanitary block next to the camp has large shower cabins, new toilets and a dishwashing area. Within walking distance there are lakes and forest walks through Les Landes; a 2024 pumptrack is 2 km away, and Bias Adventure Parc offers paintball and climbing. The beach itself is a 10-15 minute drive, so most people get there with the crew rather than on foot.

What's included

- Tipi tent accommodation (or mobile home, depending on package) - Extensive breakfast daily, including coffee, tea and fruit juice - Dinner on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - Use of the camp's surf skate, slackline, Indo boards and ping pong table - Access to Camping Le Tatiou facilities: swimming pool, tennis court, multi-sports field, pétanque court and playgrounds - Crew on site all week, including a welcome meeting on Saturday - Optional supervised morning and evening surf sessions with crew members

What's not included

- Travel to Bias-Mimizan - Surf lesson packages (booked separately as an add-on) - Bed linen and towels (linen can be booked as an add-on) - Beach sandwiches and drinks - Pizza night - Optional activities such as paintball, climbing and mini-golf - WiFi on the campsite (charged by credit card) - Travel and cancellation insurance - €100 deposit per tent, requested at check-in - Personal expenses