Surfcastle

Spring season (from March 21st until June 20th) is when the surf is the best. There are good waves and, especially during this time of year, very long days for surfing. The conditions at this time are best suited for experienced surfers.

There are small and perfect waves during summer (from June 21st until September 20th). This is an excellent season for beginners and families that want to engage in an active surf vacation. It is also an ideal time to initiate the kids into surfing.

Autumn (from September 21st until November 30th) has good waves, but bigger than summertime. Best for experienced surfers too. Winter (from December 1st until March 20th) is when the temperatures drop and the waves get big - come prepared because the days are colder and shorter.

The Surfcastle is a boutique hotel and surf school in a vintage building, only a few steps away from more than 5 different surf spots in Peniche. It's so close to the waves that when the World Surf Tour comes to town each year, plenty of action is seen from our terraces.

But it is not just its location that makes Surfcastle different. The aesthetic, say our guests, is "shabby chic". The vibe, informal, relaxed and fun-loving, the ideal place to enjoy a surfing holiday in Portugal.

Our house was built in 1920 as a traditional Portuguese family retreat. It remained the most architecturally spectacular and comfortable property in the area. Its grand rooms and grounds not only offer stunning panoramic views of the Silver Coast but the perfect place to kick back and relax with family and friends and enjoy a fully rounded surf holiday.

In short, we are an old-style surf camp with added comfort and sophistication. A place you can enjoy even on those rare days the surf is down. A place where you can bring a non-surfing partner or kids without fear that they get stir-crazy or bored.

The atmosphere at Surfcastle is of warmth and coziness throughout all our relaxing chillout areas. Our lounge is the perfect place to watch the surf endlessly from any angle: standing on the terrace or relaxing on the comfortable sofas.

We have a variety of outdoor areas for you to enjoy during your stay at the Surfcastle. Our garden is ideal for soccer, surf warm-ups, or yoga and our terraces always catch the sun regardless of the wind direction.

All bedrooms have uninterrupted views of the coastline. Our lounge has four floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto Lagido, the famous reef break right in front of our property.

The surf school

The Surfcastle surf school has been working since 2007, bringing unique surf adventures to all our learners. We consider both the physical and technical characteristics of each surfer who comes to our academy, giving tailored and personalized coaching.

Our head surf coach is Pedro "Ginjas" Pulido Valente, who has been surfing at Baleal since he was 10 years old and had been training surfers for the last fifteen years.

All our teachers are experienced surfers and have been approved by the FPS - Federação Portuguesa de Surf (Portuguese Surf Federation).

We have an unrivaled knowledge of the local surf spots, pioneers in surf coaching in this region. Rather than stick to a rigid timetable, you can rely on your coach to take you to the ideal surf spot for your lesson every day, or even twice a day.

We only have a maximum of 6 trainees per teacher, allowing us to offer a much more intimate and focussed surf school service than other local schools. We feel strongly that every trainee is different and requires equal attention out in the water.

We use the best materials and our teachers are highly qualified to provide our guests with the best surfing experience. The equipment selected for you will closely match your surfing ability, and we'll always make sure your progression fits the gear you take out.

The surroundings

Baleal Islands:

The Surfcastle is right at the edge of this peculiar beach. Baleal is a unique place because it has surf spots facing north and south. This unique geographical location makes it excellent for surfing. With any wind direction, you will always have a surfable spot. The village of Baleal is very picturesque with its small cafés, narrow streets, and beautiful houses. There is an old fortress in ruins which is pretty cool to visit during a sunny day.

Peniche:

The city of Peniche is just 3 Km away from Surfcastle. It’s still one of the principal harbors in Portugal and the main industry is fishing. Most of the nice restaurants in the area are located in Peniche. The most famous attractions are the old fortress, the city center and the scenic road that goes around the town called Marginal Norte.

From Surfcastle, you can visit Obidos, Lisbon, Sintra, Caldas da Rainha and many other places in portugal.

Activities

Around Surfcastle, there are plenty of excellent activities besides surfing that can complement your holidays. If you seek different things to do, one of the Surfcastle team members can organize them accordingly. Some of the activities that can be organized are: kite surfing, fishing, boat trip to Berlengas, tennis, golf, and pool & snooker.