Mauka Lodge - Paddle & Surf Retreat — Hotel in Mafra

Just got back from Mauka lodge and we had a fantastic/chilled/fun time, Tiago and the team go out of there way to make you feel at home. Breakfast and lunch on the beach were healthy and plentiful and nothing is to much trouble for any of the team. Each night we were taken to local restaurants which were hand picked and I must say very good. (Mexican was👌). Extremely quiet location, lush green gardens and very chilled out atmosphere in the lodge. We had some challenging surf conditions for the week ahead but Tiago took us to all the right places to get us some shelter which would of cost us a fortune and a lot of time and researching if we did it without him. Throughout the week when the wind wasn’t on our side we were taken to some amazing city’s and beautiful places (sintra being one of many) which really broke the trip up and made it not just about the surfing. Towards the end of the week we had some amazing waves on a beautiful beach break which will stick in my mind for a long time (including my mate dropping in on me). This was my first trip to Portugal surfing and it won’t be my last. We are from North Devon and have been surfing for a long time so some of the conditions and rocky breaks were not an issue however this is not a beginner sup holiday (safety first). if you have never ridden waves and have no experience I would talk to Tiago first as he is very experienced and a great tutor. We have come away from this break learning so much more than we expected, trying new boards, paddles and techniques. If your an intermediate/experienced paddler you will love it. Thank you guys (and Becky) for making our break perfect. We...

Just spent a week at the lodge on a paddle surf retreat co-hosted with Norm Hann Expeditions. As surf guides and instructors the team of Tiago, ‘Ray’ and Norm were no less than exceptional. Safe, patient, professional, fun and downright inspirational.

The lodge itself was rural in feel, comfortable quiet, and felt like home almost as soon as you walked in. Breakfast and lunch provided were delicious and nutritious. And eating out for dinner was amazing. Every establishment we ate at made us feel at home - like family rather than customers. The bread, the fish, the seafood - everything was fantastic. Not to mention the excellence of green and red wines, tawny port, Ginja and Portuguese ‘fire water’.

And during non-surf times we learned to surf skate, did yoga, explored really beautiful beaches and coastlines, wandered the cobblestone streets of Ericeira and Sintra, saw palaces, glimpsed a Moorish Castle and more.

So… if that all sounds good to you then book your space now! For a first-timer to Europe it was a wonderful, comfortable, experience in a beautiful country with amazing people and an incredible guide and...

Not only was the surfing and teaching on point, this was also a great TOTAL vacation!! Each day had one or two surf sessions (and on two occasions at two separate locations on the same day). Tiago found the spots with the best surf for the day’s conditions while also keeping in mind the skillset of the group. Some sessions were a bit larger surf for the more experienced surfers and some sessions a bit smaller for the newer surfers. Everyone had fun and found conditions they could improve with. Each day he guided the group around to show the culture Portugal has to offer such as site seeing palaces and learning about historic landmarks. At night we had the best food that only a local person could know!

Thanks to Tiago’s feedback and lessons (including surf skating and video analysis) my surfing was noticeably better by the end of the week. My wife who does not surf had a wonderful time going to the beaches and seeing the sites, and having great food. We cannot wait to come back! The details of the week showed how much passion Tiago has for getting people on waves, having a good time, and showing how special his...