Arrifana Surf Lodge (Algarve, Portugal)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

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LOCATION AND SURF CONDITIONS

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 Arrifana Surf lodge is nestled in the quite village of Vale Da Telha in the Costa Vincenta National Park located less than 5 minutes drive from Arrifana Beach and only 20 minutes on foot! We are less than 6 kilometers away from the charming white-washed hillside town of Aljezur and between the beautiful beaches of Monte Clerigo and Arrifana.

Located on the southwest coast of Portugal, the area receives a consistent year round Atlantic swell, making it one of the best places in the world for surfing. There are lots of lovely white sandy beaches, perfect for beginners, as well as challenging point breaks and reef breaks for the more experienced surfing crowd to be explored.

Situated in one of Europe's most beautiful nature parks, Aljezur has everything for either a 'laid back' or an active holiday.
Discover and enjoy the hospitality of the people, the Algarvean cooking, the beauty of this natural park (not yet spoilt by mass tourism) and, of course, the wonderful weather. Aljezur is about 30km north of Lagos on the N120 and is situated in a lush, green, fertile valley, an area well known for it's sweet potato crops. It is built on either side of the river that runs through the valley...the old town being on one side and the new town on the other. The remains of a Moorish 10th century castle can be seen high on the hill over the old town and the views from there are fantastic! Legend has it that the Knights of Santiago under Dom Paio Peres took the castle without a fight one night in 1249 when a Moorish maiden opened the door and let them in.

Beaches near to the Arrifana Surf Lodge 

During your stay with us you are sure to visit one, if not all of the three beaches listed below. These beaches are all within 10 minutes drive of the lodge and are the main beaches we use to hold our surf lessons. The waves can differ on each beach depending on swell and wind direction. We have listed below what conditions work best for each beach! 

Arrifana Beach:

A west facing beach that works best with a north northwesterly swell with a north to north easterly wind. Due to the direction that Arrifana is situated it has protection from big northerly swells and can hold swell up to 3 meters.

Monte Clerigo:

Monte Clerigo is a great summer break due to it's north westerly facing position. It receives all swell from the Atlantic Ocean and works best on a south to easterly wind. You will always find a wave at Monte Clerigo when Arrifana is flat.

Amoreira:

Amoreira is Monte Clerigo's sister beach due to the proximity of their locations. Amoreira works on the same conditions as Monte Clerigo but due to the river that creates a beautiful lagoon the banks at this beach vary from that of Monte Clerigo creating different waves on different tides thus making it a great alternative to Monte Clerigo.

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CAMP OPERATOR

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Your Instructor...

Aldo

One of the founder's and the head instructor at Arrifana Surf Lodge. Aldo was born in South Africa and has been surfing for over 17 years. Aldo is also an experienced surf instructor with a Level 1 surfing degree from both the British Surf Association and the Portuguese Surfing Federation. Aldo is also a trained & qualified life Guard. Aldo understands the importance of good instructing and you will always see him in the water with his pupils pushing students onto waves and yelling plenty of encouragement!!! When not on the beach you will see Aldo at his favorite place ...the braai (BBQ)!! If you stay at the lodge you will be guaranteed to have tried Aldo's scrumptious delights from the grill!!! 

Your Hostess...

Sarah

If you want to be a guest at Arrifana Surf Lodge then Sarah is who you will need to speak to!! Sarah is in charge of all the bookings, administration, and is always more than happy to answer any questions you might have!! Sarah was originally born in Newquay, England but spent most of her life in Florida as she moved to the USA when she was just eight.  Sarah's passion is food!!! Not only does she organize all your booking details but she is also in charge of all the great home cooked meals!! If you need anything to make your stay more enjoyable or have any questions during your stay, Sarah is the person to ask!!!

 

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

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ACCOMMODATION TYPES AND CATERING

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The property is new with 3 large guest bedrooms and two large guest bathrooms. We only ever accommodate a maximum of ten people at one time so you will never feel cramped! We offer shared lounge and kitchen facilities and in the winter we even have a roaring fire to keep you warm and cosy! There are two huge terraces with views out to the Atlantic ocean where breakfast and dinner are served daily. Your hosts Aldo and Sarah live on the property and are there to make sure you have the best stay possible!! We pride ourselves on great homemade cooking and plenty of BBQ's!!!

Take a look below and check out all the great features Arrifana Surf Lodge has to offer!!

-Private double room
-Private twin room
-Large bunk room with en-suite bathroom (sleeps maximum of 6 people)
-Two huge terraces with sea views
-Two lazy hammocks
-Sun loungers
-Open plan lounge and kitchen area
-Computer & TV with DVD & CD player
-Free internet WIFI Access throughout
-Free use of bikes

All our accommodation includes: Bed linen, comforter and bath towel.

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CATERING

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Home Cooking

All the food served at Arrifana Surf Lodge is homemade using the freshest ingredients possible!!

We know how hungry surfers can get after a long day spent on the beach and in the waves so we always offer a three course menu 5 nights a week with the option of dining out at some great local restaurants the other two nights. Guests have the option of also using the kitchen facilities at the lodge during nights where no meals are served. Check out a sample of our weekly menu below!!

Continental breakfast is served daily and includes a selection of cereals, fresh milk, yogurt, fresh bread, jams, honey, homemade nut butters, ham, cheese, fresh fruit & eggs (anyway you like).

Lunch is provided Monday - Friday and includes 2 freshly made rolls with filling of your choice, fresh fruit, cookies/chips & water.

Choose from these great fillings...

CHICKEN CLUB - MEAT TRIO - HAM SALAD - HAM & CHEESE -B.L.T - EGG MAYO -CHEESE SALAD - VEGGIE HEAVEN - ITALIAN TRIO - HUMMUS

Evening Meals are provided Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday.
There are no meals provided on Thursday and Saturday.

Guests have the option to eat out at one of several great local restaurants close by or they can make full use of the kitchen facilities at the lodge.

Useful info:

Directly opposite the lodge there is a patisserie, a typical Portuguese Bar, and a supermarket.
Within 5 minutes walk of the lodge are two restaurants specializing in grilled meats and
at Arrifana Beach there are many great seafood restaurants including a beach bar located right on the Beach.

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

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SURF COURSE DETAILS

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Beginner Surfer Course

Perfect for those who have had very little surf experience to those who have not stepped onto a board before!!

We will ensure that you have a great time but also a safe time!! We will teach you the basic skills to get you up and riding and get you comfortable in the water so you can go home knowing you can surf comfortably on your own!!

What you will learn:

-Beach Safety
-Finding the right equipment for you 
-Assessing surf conditions 
-Lying, Paddling, and standing up correctly on the surf board 
-Basic board control 
-Learning to ride the white water to moving onto unbroken, green waves 
-Surfers etiquette.  


Intermediate Surfer Course  

Perfect for those who have surfd quite often and are very confident in the White water but are looking to progress into riding unbroken green waves.

This course is designed to allow surfers to get more reward and enjoyment out of your time in the water.


What you will gain from this course:

-Beach Safety
-Finding the right equipment for you
-Assessing surf conditions
-Psychology of surfing (Surfing with the right frame of mind) 
-Surf Prediction
-Paddling into the line up (duck-diving and/or turtle rolling)
-Making the drop into an unbroken wave
-More controlled turning maneuvers (Bottom and top turning)
-Surfers etiquette.


Advanced Surfer Course 

Perfect for those experienced surfers who would like to fine tune there surfing ability.

What you will gain from this course:

-Video Analysis
-Beach Safety
-Finding the right equipment for you
-Assessing surf conditions
-Psychology of surfing (Surfing with the right frame of mind)
-Surf Prediction
-Advanced surf maneuvers (cut backs, snaps, floaters, & aerials)
-Riding bigger waves.  

Experienced Surfer

Arrifana Surf Lodge offers the perfect base to explore the great array of excellent waves on the south and west coast of the Algarve.

After a full day of exploring the Algarve you know that when you come home to us there will be a warm meal served and a comfortable bed to sleep in!! We even provide great surf movies and plenty of surfing banter!!

All experienced surfers will require all there own equipment and a rental car during their stay.

Our experienced surf package includes:

-One Weeks accommodation at Arrifana Surf Lodge (Sat/Sun - Sat/Sun)
-First hand knowledge of all the local breaks
-Breakfast & Lunch everyday
-5 Evening Meals (On Fri & Sat you have the option to dine out or cook a meal using our     kitchen facilities)
-All Soft Drinks
-Loads of fresh fruit, light snacks, and beverages provided throughout the day
-Free pick up/drop off at Lagos or Aljezur on arrival and departure
-All bedding and bath towels
-25% discount on board & wetsuit hire

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

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SURF CONDITIONS

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Breaks directly at the main spot and at nearby spots

During your stay with us you are sure to visit one, if not all of the three beaches listed below. These beaches are all within 10 minutes drive of the lodge and are the main beaches we use to hold our surf lessons. The waves can differ on each beach depending on swell and wind direction. We have listed below what conditions work best for each beach!

Arrifana Beach:

A west facing beach that works best with a north northwesterly swell with a north to north easterly wind. Due to the direction that Arrifana is situated it has protection from big northerly swells and can hold swell up to 3 meters.

Monte Clerigo:

Monte Clerigo is a great summer break due to it's north westerly facing position. It receives all swell from the Atlantic Ocean and works best on a south to easterly wind. You will always find a wave at Monte Clerigo when Arrifana is flat.

Amoreira:

Amoreira is Monte Clerigo's sister beach due to the proximity of their locations. Amoreira works on the same conditions as Monte Clerigo but due to the river that creates a beautiful lagoon the banks at this beach vary from that of Monte Clerigo creating different waves on different tides thus making it a great alternative to Monte Clerigo.

Seasonal conditions

Algarve has a hot Mediterranean climate and receives the greatest number sunny days per year in all of Europe. In the summer months (July, August and September) the air temperature usually stays between 25ºC and 32ºC. In the winter months (December, January & February) it is colder (around 13 ºC) and sometimes rains, but it is rare to persist for longer periods. In the spring and autumn the temperatures stays around 22ºC, with mild winds and usually sunny days.

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JOURNEY

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Ways to get to the camp

Arrival at the Algarve region is easily done by air. The regional capital, Faro (airport code : FAO), has airline links with all major European cities. Cheap flights can be found with Thompsonfly, Ryanair and several regular companies.

Guests also have the option of flying into Lisbon and catching a bus service direct to Aljezur.
Check out http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

We are located about 1 hr 15min drive from Faro airport. We offer free pick up and drop off in Aljezur or Lagos.** Lagos is about 30 min drive from Arrifana Surf Lodge and we are about 10 minutes drive from the town of Aljezur. Listed below are several ways to get to us from Faro airport.

When arriving from Lisbon the best option is to take the bus direct to Aljezur bus station. It is a four hour journey and can bookings can be made directly online at www.rede-expressos.pt/Default.aspx. The price is €17 each way.


Arrival from Faro airport:

    Hire a car: Rent a car from Autorent for around €70 -  €120 per week. Book now at http://www.autorent.pt/ar/AfRequest.aspx?id=1157
     Shuttle transfer:  www.resorthoppa.com offer transfers to Lagos for around €20 per person. Someone will meet you in arrivals at Faro and drop you off in Lagos. When booking the shuttle transfer please state Lagos bus station as your drop off point.****
    Train: There is a regular train service which leaves Faro train station and arrives at Lagos train station. It costs around €6 each way. Check out www.cp.pt for a schedule.
    Bus: The bus station in Faro is located within 200 yards of the train station and is the cheapest option to getting to Lagos. Check out www.eva-bus.com for all the bus timetables.
    Private airport transfer:  Shuttledirect.com offer private transfers direct to Arrifana Surf Lodge. The private shuttle transfer/taxi costs around €120 each way and is a great option if you are traveling in a group or if you arrive late in the evening and are unable to arrange another method of transport.

** Free transfers to and from Lagos are unavailable between the hours of midnight and 7am.

***Note: By far one of the easiest way to get to us is via the shuttle service. The transport company www.resorthoppa.com offer airport transfers to/from Lagos from around €35 return (about a 1 hour ride one way). Upon arrival in Lagos a staff member will meet you and give you a ride to Arrifana Surf Lodge (free of charge). Upon departure you will get a ride back to Lagos to catch the airport transfer.

It is approximately 1hr and 15 min drive by car to the lodge from the airport. When using the transport company to Lagos the trip will be slightly longer due to more stops etc.

PACKAGES & PRICES

Arrifana Surf Packages
All of our surf packages are ideal for anyone looking for a great sport adventure holiday!!!

We offer different packages to suit all levels of ability from the total beginner to the more advanced surfer!! We only take up to eight people at a time on all our surf courses and during the busier summer months have two instructors per course!! This ensures that everyone will receive great personal surf tuition all the time!! All of our surf courses run from Monday - Friday with apx 2 sets of two hour sessions per day. Saturday and Sunday are arrival and departure days. 

On the weekend guests have the option to chill on the beach, hang out in the local town of Aljezur, or keep on surfing!! All equipment is provided on the weekend so you can keep on practicising what you have learned!!

All our surf packages include the following:  

-One Weeks accommodation at Arrifana Surf Lodge (Sat/Sun - Sat/Sun)
-Full day of surf tuition for 5 days (Monday - Friday)
-Use of surfboard, wetsuit & leash for 1 week (We have a full range of soft tops and epoxy boards) 
-Daily transport to the beach
-Breakfast & Lunch everyday
-5 Evening Meals (On Fri & Sat you have the option to dine out or cook a meal using our kitchen facilities) 
-All Soft Drinks 
-Loads of fresh fruit, light snacks, and beverages are provided throughout the day
-Free pick up/drop off at Lagos or Aljezur on arrival and departure 
-All bedding and bath towels    

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PACKAGE A - Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced Complete Surfer Package: - from 450 € per Week / Person

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This package includes:

7 or 14 nights chalet style accommodation at Arrifana Surf Lodge + 5 or 10 full days of great surf tuition for beginner, intermediate or advanced level surfers + surf equipment for full use during your stay + daily transport to the beach + breakfast everyday + 5 or 10 packed lunches + 5 or 10 evening meals + all you can drink fruit juice, tea or coffee + after surf snacks + transport to beach and Aljezur on free days + free pick up and drop off in Lagos or Aljezur* + all bedding & bath towels provided + free internet access/WiFi + accident cover.

A private double or twin room is available at an additional cost of Eur 10 per person per night and is available on a first come first serve basis.

*Free transfers to and from Lagos are unavailable between the hours of 12pm and 7am.

Prices are per person	7 nights	14 nights
July, Aug, Sept	495 €	900 €
Rest of the year	450 €	800 €

Price per night if booking less than 7 nights:
-July, Aug, Sept, Oct        80 €
-Rest of the year             70 €

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PACKAGE B - Experienced Surfer Package: from 275 € per Week / Person

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This package includes:

7 or 14 nights chalet style accommodation at Arrifana Surf Lodge + advice on local breaks** + breakfast everyday + 5 or 10 packed lunches + 5 or 10 evening meals + all you can drink fruit juice, tea or coffee + after surf snacks + all bedding & bath towels provided + free internet access/WiFi + accident cover.

A private double or twin room is available at an additional cost of Eur 10 per person per night and is available on a first come first serve basis.

**Price does not include transport. Guests booking this package will require their own hire car. Hire cars can be booked by us upon request.

Prices are per person	7 nights	14 nights
July, Aug, Sept, Oct	325 €	600 €
Rest of the year	275 €	500 €

Price per night if booking less than 7 nights:
-July, Aug, Sept, Oct       55 €
-Rest of the year            45 €

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PACKAGE C - Non Surfer Package: from 275 € per Week / Person

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This package includes:

7 or 14 nights chalet style accommodation at Arrifana Surf Lodge + breakfast everyday + 5 or 10 packed lunches + 5 or 10 evening meals + all you can drink fruit juice, tea or coffee + after surf snacks + free pick up and drop off in Lagos or Aljezur* + all bedding & bath towels provided + free internet access/WiFi + accident cover.

A private double or twin room is available at an additional cost of Eur 10 per person per night and is available on a first come first serve basis.

*Free transfers to and from Lagos are unavailable between the hours of 12pm and 7am.

Prices are per person	7 nights	14 nights
July, Aug, Sept, Oct	325 €	600 €
Rest of the year	275 €	500 €

Price per night if booking less than 7 nights:
-July, Aug, Sept, Oct       55 €
-Rest of the year            45 €