A place built for people who want more than just a surf trip in Portugal. At Salty Garden, you’ll find more than just great waves, you’ll become part of a small welcoming community where making new friends feels effortless.
Set between the pine forest and the Atlantic coast, our eco surf camp sits on one hectare of peaceful nature, offering space, fresh air, and a slow rhythm you won’t find in typical surf camps.
It’s a relaxed, authentic place where solo travellers instantly feel included, where conversations flow naturally, and where your days blend surfing, nature, and moments you’ll remember. Nestled in the heart of a pine forest and bordered by more than 10 kilometres of uncrowded Atlantic coastline, Salty Garden Eco Surf Camp offers a rare balance between nature, surf, and human connection.
Located in Cortegaça, just 30 minutes south of Porto, the camp blends the simplicity of rural Portugal with the energy of coastal life.
More than a place to sleep, Salty Garden is a shared experience. Surf lessons, camp activities, and social moments are all part of the stay, creating a natural rhythm where days flow between the ocean, the forest, and the people around you.
Whether you come to learn how to surf, to improve your skills, or simply to live closer to the sea, everything is designed to make you feel involved, supported, and at ease. Highlights
- 7 nights accommodation
- 5 surf lessons – 20 hours total with all equipment and insurance included, 4-hour sessions to help you progress quickly
- Social events, workshops and occasional excursions included such as wine and cheese tasting, ceramic or cooking workshop, Games or poker night, Sporty Tournement, Family Dinner, Pizza night, and more surprise through the season.
- Clean, safe waves perfect for beginners and intermediates
- Intimate atmosphere with a strong community vibe, ideal for solo travellers or friends
- Free use of bikes and surf skates
- Access to equipment: boardgames, slack-line, volleyball, Mölkky, and more
Homemade daily breakfast and access to fully equipped kitchens Skill level
Beginner
Intermediate Accommodation Salty Garden is a cosy eco-camp, built with natural and environmentally conscious materials, designed to provide warmth and foster community. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are at the heart of the camp: reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and DIY structures are used throughout, giving the spaces a unique rustic charm that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
Accommodation is set in spacious bell-yurts, available as private, twin, or shared, offering a cozy and off-grid experience. Each yurt is furnished with real beds, warm blankets, carpets, storage furniture, and soft lighting for ultimate comfort.
The shared areas include a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor chill lounges, garden tables, hammocks, and plenty of green space for reading, relaxing or socialising.
The true beauty of Salty Garden lies in its garden and surroundings. Set on 1.2 hectares of land in constant development and bordered by a vast forest that stretches all the way to the beach, the camp offers the opportunity to explore or create new spaces limited only by imagination. Here you will find a fire pit, a pond, a barbecue, outdoor showers, hammocks, a slack-line, and untouched nature waiting to be discovered.
With all these spaces and amenities, you will enjoy a balance of relaxation, community, and outdoor adventure between surf sessions.
Program The heartbeat of Salty Garden is the belief that people need people. Here, the team puts their hearts, minds, and souls into creating a space where connections flourish naturally, where community matters, and where strangers become friends. Whether you're traveling solo or with someone, you’ll find a warm, welcoming environment that makes you feel instantly at home.
These vacations will be focused on you, on your well-being, on practicing your surfing skills, improving your performance on the water, but also on connecting with others, making new friends, and reconnecting with nature to relax and discover new things through experiences.
The surf lesson consists of 4 hours excursion, that combine a great warm-up and an explanation of all surf techniques: paddling, wave positioning, catching waves, standing on the board, and riding waves properly. You can expect clear instructions for every step you will need to take in order to make the most of it. Before getting into the water, you will also be provided with instructions about safety procedures and surf etiquette.
During your experience, you will likely be able to stand on the board or see some improvement, but above all, you will enjoy the amazing energy provided by the ocean. Location Located in Cortegaça, a small seaside village, surrounded by pine forests and perfectly situated between Porto and Aveiro, Salty Garden It is the only accommodation with such good access to surfing, nature, and authentic Portuguese village
Cortegaça, while becoming a favourite surf destination for North Portuguese surfers, remains relatively uncrowded by tourists. No need to compete for space on the beach, as the surroundings offer more than 10 km of surf spots, spacious sandy beaches, peaceful dunes, and quiet surf breaks perfect for beginners and intermediates.
If you are looking for cultural experiences and sightseeing, Salty Garden is ideally located just two minutes from the train station. Easy train connections make Porto or Aveiro reachable in about 45 minutes, perfect for day trips while still returning to the calm and tranquillity of the countryside.
