Top 12 Best Surf Camps in the World to Learn How to Surf

When you book a trip to a surf camp (also known as surf hotels), you’ll receive benefits and support that standard beach hotels and Airbnbs can not offer. Not only do surf camps have chill vibes with a fun sense of community (perfect for solo travellers!), but they also provide custom-made surf lessons by professional instructors to help you develop your surf skills as fast and sustainable as possible.

Learn how to surf, relax by the beach, eat, drink, and do it all again the next day at one of the best surf camps in the world. Doesn’t it sound like the perfect holiday?

There are multiple top-rated surf spots throughout the globe, and there are surf camps for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. Some of the best surf camps in the world are found scattered throughout Europe, South America, and Asia. Let's talk about some of them.

Start here: What’s a Surf Camp & 5 tips to choose the best surf camp for you

4 Best Surf Camps in Europe

For starters, we will introduce four of the best surf camps in Europe. Europe is home to some of the wildest waves of them all, especially in Portugal.

Koala Surf House — Hossegor, France

Located right in the centre of two water-pumping waves, La Nord and La Graviere is the Koala Surf Camp of Hossegor, France. The surf in Hossegor serves some of the best waves in all of Europe and produces rushing waves throughout nearly all four seasons.

Koala Surf Camp is known for its top-notch training, gorgeous ocean views, and a sandy beachfront that offers some of the best waves breaks you could ever find.  

Hoddevik Camp — Stad, Norway

Norway is for those who are hungry for adventures and looking for something off the beaten path. Immerse yourself in a bewitching world of wild nature and one-of-a-kind experiences in the north. 

Learning to surf can be a heck of an experience. During the fall and winter the water can be on the colder side, but surfing with snowy mountains around you is something you will never forget.

During the summer the water reaches milder temperatures and the beautiful scenery around will hook you like no other place. Plus, the waves are great for those just starting their surf experience.

Lapoint Fuerteventura — Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Fuerteventura has a flavour of its own, as mentioned above. Sitting just 100 km from the coast of Morocco this is a melting pot between African and European culture. This place is diverse in every way possible, where the ocean meets the desert and big hotels meet deserted beaches and dirt roads.

Here you will be met by old volcanoes, sand from Sahara and an island surrounded by azure coloured water. The feeling of the landscape is more that of western Africa, but the people and way of living will give you the best of the Spanish lifestyle.

A surf camp in Fuerteventura is something you won’t forget.

RELATED: 10 Tips for Planning the Perfect Surf Trip

Hollow Tree’s Resort — Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

Hollow Tree is another one of the world’s best surf hotels for beginner to advanced surfers. The professional instructors here give step-by-step guidance and personalized tips that make learning to surf or improving skills a breeze. 

10-class waves are just a few minutes away from the resort and have conditions fit for all skill levels. Hollow Trees, also known as Lance’s Right, are known as some of the best barreling right-handers in the world, and they can all be seen from the resorts’ windows.

The resort offers tropical aesthetic views any surfer would love. Surrounded by swaying palm trees and powder-soft sand, the resort also offers yoga courses, massages, and fun water equipment for rent, like paddleboards and kayaks.

Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Sip on a coconut drink under the palm trees, get close to the wildlife of the jungle and enjoy Ahangama's mellow waves. As you will discover – Sri Lanka is a melting pot of action and spirituality, contrast and colours. Sri Lanka has got something for you, no matter if you're chasing waves or mouth watering food.

The waves are fun and easy to ride, and there are many spots around the Ahangama & Weligama area. You can pick and choose which one you prefer based on your surf level!

This destination gives you insights into a different culture and brings you closer to an unfamiliar way of life. The surf camps local staff will be able to help you out with anything you need and, of course, you will have fellow surfers with you wherever you go, adding a further level of safety and comfort to your surf holiday experience. And don't forget the team of social hosts at the camp, who's always there to bring the fun to the party!

3 Best Surf Camps in Central America

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Secluded beaches, wild jungle and epic surf make Costa Rica a utopia for those wild at heart. Live only minutes from the beach enjoy the relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle of this beautiful country.

The town of Santa Teresa is famous for great waves and playful conditions for all levels throughout the year. The mile-long beaches framed with swaying palm trees is the perfect place for feeding your surf stoke. 

Here you'll get everything you’ve ever dreamed of when it comes to a surf trip to the tropics, and when you leave Costa Rica you will feel like you didn’t stay long enough (regardless of how long you stayed!).

El Sunzal, El Salvador

El Salvador is a fantastic place for a surf vacation, for beginners and advanced surfers alike. This surf camp is a tropical paradise facing the ocean with top-tier views over the waves, perfect surf conditions, and many activities to add to your trip. Complete with yoga and hangouts by the pool, you will never get bored during your stay at this surf camp. 

The facility offers all types of surfing lessons from absolute beginner to advanced.

Los Clavos, Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a hidden gem for surfers, offering a mix of untouched nature, incredible waves, and warm, welcoming vibes. At Lapoint’s surf camp in Los Clavos, you’ll wake up to stunning beachfront views in a bungalow and be just steps away from some of the best surf breaks in Central America.

In Nicaragua, you’ll experience the perfect blend of surf, adventure, and laid-back tropical living. You’ll leave feeling recharged, inspired, and already planning your next visit.

5 Best Surf Camps for Beginners

Pura Vida Surf Camp — Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Secluded beaches, wild jungle and epic surf make Costa Rica a utopia for those wild at heart. Live only minutes from the beach enjoy the relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle of this beautiful country.

The town of Santa Teresa is famous for great waves and playful conditions for all levels throughout the year. The mile-long beaches framed with swaying palm trees is the perfect place for feeding your surf stoke. 

Here’s you get everything you’ve ever dreamed of when it comes to a trip to the tropicals, and when you leave Costa Rica you will feel like you didn’t stay long enough, regardless of how long you stayed.

Puro Surf — El Zonte, El Salvador

Puro Surf surf camp is a tropical paradise facing the ocean with top-tier training, perfect surf conditions, and on-site activity areas. Complete with a yoga studio, multiple pools, and a skatepark, you will never get bored during your stay at this surf camp. 

The facility offers all types of surfing lessons from absolute beginner to advanced. You also have the choice of booking a la carte courses or all-inclusive packages that include lessons, food, and accommodation.

Lapoint Canggu — Bali, Indonesia

Bali has it all, from everything in action-packed activities, shopping and partying to nature and spiritual experiences. Canggu's central location means that you are never far away from all the island's must-sees and do's. 

If you have ever thought of going to Asia, you have most certainly heard of Canggu –and that's not by mistake! Canggu is the surf hub in Asia, it lives and breathes surf, yoga and the good life. The town has an active community of avid surfers, both locals and ex-pats, and you will find waves for all levels.

A surf camp experience in Canggu will be perfect for those looking for an active surf holiday where you will be doing things and getting busy throughout your visit.

Surf Maroc — Taghazout, Morocco

Surf Maroc is one of the best surf camps for beginners because of its laid-back pace, warm waters, and perfect blue skies. Located in Taghazout, this area has world-class waves year-round and therefore holds the title of a gem of the Moroccan-Atlantic coast.

The surf camp offers unmatched customer service and one-on-one training that teaches new rippers how to surf the right way. With its personalized surf courses, oceanfront accommodation, and delicious food, staying at this surf camp will be a culture-rich experience you won’t ever forget.