Kick off your shoes. You’re in Maceda now
A back-to-nature surf camp in Northern Portugal… where life is easier
Seeking a back-to-nature surf experience on Portugal’s unspoiled Costa Verde? Located within walking distance to not one but two peaceful beaches and surrounded by majestic pine forests and rolling sand dunes, Maceda Surf Camp isn’t your typical surf experience provider in Portugal.
Better surfing. Better humans. Better world
Built by a first-generation Portuguese surfer from 70% recycled materials and now run by passionate hosts Loïc and Rachel (and their four-legged sidekick, Nikki) , Maceda Surf Camp is more than just a learn-to-surf provider.
Our hearts, souls and minds went into cultivating a place where
people can connect – free from the distractions of everyday life.
People need people, and by combining in-depth surf lessons with
an intimate camp setting, you’ll forge lifelong friendships and
leave not just a better surfer, but also a better human.
How we make every moment memorable
Imagine waking up to the sound of birdsong or soaking up the fading sun in what feels like your own hidden slice of paradise.
As a surf camp, running surf lessons in Maceda is what we do, but we also offer other endorphin-boosting activities that’ll connect you with like-minded people in nature.
- Daily surf sessions and discovery days
- Guided outdoor yoga sessions
- Special Portuguese wine and cheese tasting nights
- Friendly, passionate and fun-loving team
- Free-use kitchen and coworking area
- Bonfire nights (complete with music and marshmallows)
- Creative workshops to unleash your inner artist
- Pizza night with traditional starters and cocktails
- Visits to local villages, waterfalls and hidden lagoons
- Massages, wellness sessions and restorative treatment
A hidden surf sanctuary only 40 minutes from Porto
Maceda is a small village on the Costa Verde that offers a tranquil escape just 40 minutes from Porto.
Our remote camp boasts a spacious garden with a forest, providing ample opportunities for both socialising and solitude.
For past guests, the community spirit, relaxing atmosphere and uncrowded beaches make it a coastal home away from home. We hope you feel the same way too..
TESTIMONIALS
Was a really relaxing stay at the camp! The surf was great on beaches where often we were the only people surfing . The staff were lovely and very welcoming and the activities in the evening were great! Especially the plums and rum house party 🙂 thanks for having us and hopefully see you again!
I loved every minute of being there❤️ Thank you guys for an amazing experience!!!On my way there i couldn’t even think that this place will change so many things, and that i’d have soo so so much fun there!Surfing lessons were really cool. Thank you to our instructors, because it was easy to understand what should i do (and should not:)) on the board. And i could always ask to explain more, if it was needed!But the best part i think it was the people🫶🏼 From all around the world, so different but so wonderful at the same time! We could talk about anything and everything for i think forever!The place has a really good location. Near to the ocean and forest, i really love being so close to nature!!!Thank you guys again, i’ll see you next year❤️
We spent a wonderful week at the Maceda surf camp and would do it again at any time. The camp is right next to the pine forest with a beach right behind it and offers many opportunities to have fun. The team was super motivated and always takes care of voluntary activities. Would recommend it to everyone!
Amazing place to reconnect with nature, where ocean and forest come together to create a bubble you will never want to leave. In the camp, there are wonderful people who make you feel at home. I want to come back so bad
Being part of the Maceda surf camp is such a special experience. The place has a mix of quirky rooms, glamping tents and small dorms with shared kitchen, dining, sitting areas and loads of outdoor space. There's a good breakfast every morning and some lovely social communal dinner evenings with wine and cocktails. Every night ends with a campfire in the garden. The surf lessons at local beaches last 3-4 hours each day with excellent tuition, all equipment and transfers included. There's daily yoga sessions & other activities. Loic and Rachel and the team of lovely volunteers and surf instructors make you feel part of the amazing Maceda family and will really look after you. Highly recommended.
had an amazing time !! all the staff and volunteers put so much effort and love into the camp, the space is beautifully set up and the surfing was great !! lots of opportunities to socialise or to relax in nature, would love to go back !!
I had an amazing time in Maceda. The whole place is magical, the atmosphere is welcoming and the staff really works well together. We got so many workshops offered, so that we always had something to do. Surfing was fun and the extra activities like the Pizza night were also great. It felt like a nice conscious community, you can always meet new people but also take time in the hammock in the forest by yourself.This surf hostel made me feel so alive and Im looking forward to coming back one day
The staff, guests and the naturalistic atmosphere really make this place special. The garden is a sanctuary to enjoy the simple things, the camp fire & human interconnection. Plus the yoga instructor was excellent!!Highly recommend this magical place.
It was overall great experience. The Maceda Surf Hostel team really puts a lot of effort for their guests. Besides surfing and yoga, they prepared a lot of activities, from wine and cheese tasting, maceda games, pizza nights to bonfire. And of course you are greeted every day from the cutest dog Niki. Cuddles unlimited. The location of hostel is really good. Not far from train station. You can borrow bikes to go to the beach near by. Not far away is also local market. Surfing experience was very good. Nice location and we had good surf conditions. Instructors were nice, funny and created good atmosphere. The hostel gives a lot of room for different activities, has a lot of green areas, kitchens are well equipped. Definitely recommend and will return for sure.
Just got back from a 3 week trip in portugal and dont think it would have been amazing without this place. As a beginner person i was hella nervous getting on the board, but the instructors were really kind and helpful. The rooms and surroundings were close to shops and lots of green space, which for me is very rare! If you have any issues they will try there best to support you in the best way they can.
I wanted to share my review of Maceda Surf Camp, where my husband, two teens and I had a wonderful time with the laid-back atmosphere at camp, fantastic teaching by Andres and the other surf coaches, and sweet support from Loïc and Rachel, who I would call "the sommelier of board games". The eco-credentials of the camp were impressive, and it was a lot of fun for my kids to be around young people from all over the world, not to mention the dog Niki. The vibe was really chilled and inclusive of everyone, including us as the oldest people staying there - lots of socialising and joint meals etc. Both of my teens made brilliant progress, one as a complete beginner and the other already on his way. The camp is also a great base for exploring Porto. All in all, I highly recommend it!
My stay was wonderful; a few good days of disconnection, Loic and Rachel are excellent hosts. Surf teachers are great and location is amazing. Thank u guay
We had three days package with Surf lessons included, myself , my wife and son.Our stay was perfect, everything as expected and dreamed. The Backdoor room is wonderful, the camp is what you need to live the surf experience near fantastic wild beaches, nobody around.The hosts are great and the other guests all sharing the vibes . If you get there alone, with friends, with your family, this is the right place for all ages. And of course the surf…Andre, Kate, Gonzalo and Alfonzo made my dream come true beeing to stand up on the board for my first waves . Thanks to Rachel and Jessy for the Yoga experience.We’ll be back guys.Emanuele Anna Zak (Italy)
This was the perfect get away for me! The surf teachers and conditions were perfect for a beginner, and the camp is both well managed and relaxed. I can definitely see myself coming back alone, or with a group!If you are reading this because you are considering to go, stop reading and just book it 😎Thank you to everyone for making my week so memorable and relaxing ❤️
We stayed a week and it was definitely too short! You have plenty of space to be alone and do your own thing (at least when Niki isn't demanding your attention :)) but there're also activities to get to know other people and have some good conversations. The surfsessions were amazing! The surfteachers are full of enthousiasm and passion to learn you how to surf. The beaches are wonderful! We're definitely coming back to paradise in this little corner of the world!
Loved my stay here. Loic, Rachel and the volunteers were all very friendly and welcoming. Nice mix of hostel activities and free time. Instructors were passionate about surfing and friendly and being the only school on the water made it the perfect environment to learn. Would definitely think about returning for future surf trips.
Maceda Surf Camp is the place you go to immerse yourself in nature and reconnect with yourself and others. Once you arrive, you don’t ever want to leave.The team have created an environment that attracts good vibes, allowing you to recharge your internal batteries and feel part of the Maceda Surf family. It’s impossible to leave and not leave a little piece of yourself there with a longing to come back.One of the most impactful weeks with exceptional people learning new things, Maceda Surf Camp has given me a new sense of energy and excitement for life.
I spent five days in Maceda, five days full of rain and cold weather... But that doesn't mean my holidays were ruined. Loic, Kate and Rachel made my stay super enjoyable. They and the Volunteers managed to make the best out of my holidays. To keep it short, I learnt to surf under the rain and survive cold weather at the beach, then had the best naps and spent the evenings chilling with the people at the hostel.I will definitely come back (but making sure it'll be sunny)!
Amazing place! I went as a solo traveler. Loved the area, owners and surf lessons. And I think the space would be also really suitable for company retreats, teambuilding, strategy sessions etc.
Unforgattable experience, the staff and place are amazing, away from all tourism, highly reccomend!
really great experience! It’s still cold in Feb but I still had a lot of fun there. Loic and Rachel are really nice people and they also have a cuuuuute dog Nikki ( who’s the princess of the camp🤣. The living environment was great! We had the breakfast in a glass house which allowed us to enjoy the sunshine in the beginning of the day, so fresh! They made the place like home, very cozy. As for surfing, I took three lessons, Loic and Kate were very patient and encouraging, and I made it under their help! Although the weather was not that good later, we had other activites to replace surfing. It was fun to go to Nazaré and saw the biggest wave of the world. The view and food were really good.👍 Each evening we had some interesting activities together. It was great to have the opportunity chatting with different people and getting to know each other :)If I have time, I’ll definitely go back in summer time and check the watermelon they are going to grow 😝. Really unforgettable experience in all!
Dear Maceda Surf Camp Family. What a lovely aotomsfare.What a lovely atmosphere you have there! I really enjoyed my stay at your camp. It was a home away from home, where even in a brief visit, one can sense the warmth of family. ALL 3 instructors I encountered were incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and passionate. Their dedication to teaching beginners was evident, and their expertise made the learning experience truly enjoyable.Well done to all of you, and I am genuinely grateful to have met such a wonderful group of people.Warmest regards, Worood
I had an absolutely fantastic time during my recent visit to Maceda Surf Camp! The atmosphere there is so welcoming, making you feel like part of a big, happy family. One of the best things about this place is the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of fascinating people from all over the world.The surf school they run is top-notch, with instructors who are not only skilled but incredibly friendly and always ready to share valuable tips. If you're not looking for lessons, you can easily rent surf gear, which is so convenient.What sets Maceda Surf Camp apart is the wide range of additional activities they offer. From vine and cheese tastings to bonfires and movie nights, there's never a dull moment. It's a place that makes you look forward to returning time and time again. I can't recommend it enough!
I had such an amazing time in Maceda. The stay was full of unforgettable experiences, meaningful connections, time to relax and so much fun. The staff was very friendly, the coaches helped me improve an lot and they were all amazing support when I did not believe in myself while surfing. The only thing that could have made it any better would have been if I could have stayed for even longer, I am already looking forward to coming back! Thank you for everything! Love, Tyra
