For Europeans, Spain is the go-to destination for warm weather and great scenery. It is so great that many Brits actually move to Spain so that they can enjoy this luscious weather all year round. But, what many people don’t realize is that Spain is actually an excellent location for surfing too.
If you want to catch some European waves, Spain is an excellent destination to consider. So, if you want to find out the best surf camps in Spain, and how to prepare for your trip, then keep on reading.
If you fancy a surfing trip to the beautiful Andalusia area of Spain, then 9 Pies Surf could be the perfect camp for you. As a tourist, this is an excellent choice because surfing tourists is what they specialize in, so you know that you will be working with instructors that know exactly what they are doing.
This company has a short but rich history, and runs lessons along some of the most beautiful beaches in this area, including El Palmar and Vejer de la Frontera. So, if you want to visit one of the most breathtaking areas that Spain has to offer, and catch some great waves, this could be the perfect place.
North Shore Surf Camp is an excellent surfing destination located in the beautiful Zarautz area of Spain. This is a massive surf camp with lots of different members of staff, all trained to teach people of different ages and abilities to surf.
With the cliffs of Santa Barbara and Mollari in the background, North Shore surf camp teaches individuals to surf on the beautiful 2.5 km beach. So, if you want to catch some beautiful blue waves, with a truly stunning backdrop, then North Shore Surf Camp could be the best destination for you.
Another excellent surf camp located in the Zarautz area of Spain is the Good People Surf Camp. If you are planning a trip to Spain from the US, then this is a great place to consider as this surf camp offers accommodation as well as surfing classes. In fact, they offer lots of different accommodation options, some of which are truly stunning.
They also offer a variety of different surfing classes and activities, from 3 day courses to single classes, and surfing equipment hire. So no matter what style of surfing trip you want, Good People Surf Camp will be able to accommodate you.
North of the city of Bilbao in Spain, you will find the Barrika Surf Camp. This surf camp is run on the beaches of the North coast of Spain, not too far from the beautiful country of France. This makes it the perfect location if you want to cover multiple countries during your trip to Europe.
Just like the Good People Surf Camp, Barrika also offers accommodation and a wide variety of courses. So, if you are unsure what style of surfing trip you want, this company could be a great choice as they will help you find the holiday perfect for you.
Located in the beautiful Basque Country of Spain, you will find the Moana Surf Camp. This camp utilizes the breathtaking beach of Biscay to teach individuals to surf on luscious blue waves with excellent scenery. The company primarily offers surfing camps, but they also offer skating activities, which is great if you want to try out something new while you are away.
The company offers accommodation, but they are also easily accessible via the Bilbao metro line. So, if you want to stay in one place, or make a single trip out to this surf camp, Moana is a wonderful choice.
Almost on the border of Spain and France is the breathtaking city of San Sebastián. If you are making the long journey to Spain, then visiting this area is an absolute must. So, it is excellent that they have their very own surf camp located in this area.
This surfing location is also sometimes referred to as Stoke Surf House, and it is based in the small village of Aia, just outside the city. With breathtaking views, experienced instructors, and lots of different class options, it is clear that this is a great surfing camp in Spain.
If you want to be surrounded by people who are passionate about surfing, then Bio Surf Camp is the best option for you. This surf camp is based slightly to the left of the city of Bilbao, in the Cantabria area of Spain.
With a massive focus on peace and tranquility, Bio Surf Camp is an excellent choice if you are planning a solo surf trip, or are making the journey to be at one with nature. They offer a wide range of activities all run by passionate instructors, making them a great choice.
Most of the surf camps we’ve looked at so far have been based in the Northern area of Spain, so if you want to explore the South then On the Sea Surf Camp could be perfect.
This surf school is based in El Palmar de Vejer which is located on the Southern coast, near Portugal. This surf camp promises intense waves, excellent surfing opportunities, and fantastic classes. All accompanied by blue seas and breathtaking views. So, if you want to visit the South, you should consider On the Sea.
Another excellent surf camp on the Southern coast of Spain is Camino Surf Andalucia. Camino Surf is actually a chain of surf camps, so you know that you are going to get top quality instructors, and excellent value for money if you go with them.
Andalucia is a beautiful area of Spain, with gorgeous blue seas, and sunny weather almost all year round. So, if you want to experience this, you should consider Camino Surf.
Finally, you should consider Surf El Pico which is a surf camp based in the Cantabria region of Spain. This surf camp is great as it utilizes all 70 beaches that Cantabria has to offer, allowing you to see lots of different areas while you are on your trip.
Additionally, all the coaches at this school are qualified to the best possible standard in Spain, ensuring that you are spending your money on the best.
Budget Planning
Before you make the trip to Europe, planning your budget is essential. So, here’s some information to help you work out the costs for your trip to Spain.
Meal Price Range
Across the European countries that are part of the European Union (EU), you will find that the costs of living are fairly standard. So, if you have been lucky enough to visit Europe before, you probably already have a good idea of how much it will cost.
Generally speaking, if you were to eat out for every single meal during your stay in Spain, you should expect to spend €32 per day per person. This would include all meals and drinks. You can reduce this cost by making your own food, and if you book accommodation at one of the surf camps, you might find that some meals are included in the cost.
Equipment Rental
All surf camps will offer equipment rental. Depending on the type of package that you have booked, the cost of this equipment may be included in the price you have paid. This usually applies to multiple day stays. If you are only completing a single class at a surf camp, then you might find there is an additional charge for equipment hire. However, this charge is usually less than €20.
Prepaid Sim Cards
The best way to stay in touch with loved ones when visiting Europe is to buy a prepaid Sim card when you get there and pop it in your phone. This is much cheaper than international roaming charges, and much more reliable than the free WI-FI that most hotels and cafés offer.
The cheapest prepaid Sim card that you will find in Spain costs €10 and comes with an additional €10 charge for 28 days worth of service. This will give you 10 GB of data, and 20 minutes of calls. But be careful when phoning internationally, as this could incur an additional charge.
Public Transport
Unlike some other countries in Europe, public transport in Spain is operated on a local level. This means that the costs of transport differ depending on what city/region you are traveling in.
In most areas, a single ticket will set you back approximately €1.50, however in larger cities, the cost can exceed €2. Once you decide the area that you want to stay in, you should research public transport costs for that specific region to budget for the trip.
Gas Prices
Gas Prices are constantly fluctuating, but generally speaking, gas will always be cheaper in Spain than it is in the USA. You should expect to spend approximately €4.50 on a gallon of gas in Spain, whereas a gallon of gas would cost just over $6 in the USA. But remember, prices are always changing.
Types of Risks
Generally speaking, Spain is a safe country to visit. Most visits to Spain will be faced with absolutely no risks or trouble, but you should still remain alert. Just like anywhere in the world, there are always people who will take advantage of opportunities. So, always keep an eye on your belongings to ensure that they are not stolen by an opportunistic pick-pocket.
You should also take care when surfing, and always watch out for warning signs and markers on the seafront. Some beaches may have strong undercurrents, and these will be signposted. So, if you plan on entering the sea alone, keep a look-out for these signs.
Also be watchful for shallow water as this often is not obvious, and could cause injury if you expect the water to be deeper than it actually is.
How to Prepare
As well as budgeting, there is a lot of other preparation you need to do ahead of your trip to Spain. Here’s some information to help.
Visas
You don’t need to apply for a Visa to enter Spain from the USA, as Spain is party to the Schengen agreement. This means that all US citizens can enter Spain for tourism purposes for up to 90 days without requiring a Visa. However, you will need to have a minimum of 3 months validity left on your passport, and if you are booking a one-way ticket you will need to provide proof of funds to pay for your return ticket.
Vaccines
Before you travel to Spain, you should ensure that all of your routine vaccinations are current. These include MMR, Polio, Flu, Chickenpox, and Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis. Additionally, you might want to consider a Hepatitis A vaccination if you plan on traveling to the more rural areas of Spain.
Language and Currency
The official language of Spain is Spanish, but the country is also home to 4 other languages. These are Basque, Catalan, Galician, and Aranese. A lot of people in Spain also speak English, especially in tourist-heavy areas. The official currency in Spain is the Euro, so ensure that you get your dollars converted to this currency prior to traveling.
Checking Surf Forecast
The best way to check the surf forecast for Spain is to visit a website that does the job for you. To find out the surf forecast, click here. If you are staying in a surf camp, the camp will also offer a surf forecast to you.
Travel/Surf Insurance
Before you travel to Europe, it is vital that you take out travel insurance for all parties that are travelling. There are plenty of companies that will insure you to visit Spain as it is not a high-risk country. Additionally, it is very important that you get insurance which covers surfing, as some companies class this as a risk so will not offer it in a basic package.
