In the heart of Portugal, nestled beside the remote beach of Maceda, you’ll find a gem unlike any other – Maceda Surf Camp. Our enchanting tale begins with Joao Diogo, a pioneer Portuguese surfer, and his ambition to create a unique surf retreat near Porto that was close to nature.

Fast forward to May 2022 and we have current hosts Loïc and Rachel crossing paths with Joao. They quickly discovered that they share a similar vision of running a nature-connected camp, and proposed managing the place.

Sitting less than 5 minutes drive from two stunning beaches and only 40 minutes from Porto, our camp is a convenient escape from not just the big city, but also from everyday life.

The closest beach is Cortegaça, which is a long stretch of white sand with traditional fishing boats scattered along the shoreline. It’s perfect for surfing, peaceful walks, watching the sunset and swimming.

Slightly south of Cortegaça is Maceda Beach, which is where we run our surf lessons. With towering pines sitting atop sand dunes and very few crowds, it’s yet to be overrun by tourists. This means it’s the ideal beach to catch waves with new and old friends, and connect with the raw beauty of nature.

As for our camp location, you couldn’t ask for a more tranquil spot. Sandwiched between a quiet street and an expansive pine forest, it gives you the distinct feel that you’re surrounded by nature while still being close to all the amenities you might need.

We call it home, but you might call it a natural oasis. And with our focus on sustainability and preserving the environment, we aim to keep it that way for generations to come.