🏄‍♀️ Peniche Surf Trip Diary 🌊✨

I chose Escola Surf Peniche as my surf school by simply picking the highest-rated option on Google Maps – 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ While the coaching and staff were fantastic 😊, the setup was a bit different than I expected. They outsource accommodations and only provide surf transfers and lessons, so it wasn’t the most social environment for a solo traveler. Also, some promised extras like photo/video analysis and yoga classes weren’t available. Still, they were super fair – I booked 10 lessons but only attended 5, and they only charged me for those! 👍 So if you’re just looking for solid surf instruction, I’d recommend them. 🏡 Accommodation: Balili House This place was amazing! Located on Baleal Island 🏝️, right by the ocean. My room had sea views, and there was even a Jacuzzi on the rooftop! 🛁 Breakfast was healthy and delicious every morning. They also provide wetsuits and boards, so if you already know how to surf, you can just grab your gear and hit the waves 🏄. The only downside is that it’s a bit far from the city center, but the island is small and Ubers are easy to get. 😮‍💨 Surfing Reality Check Surfing is EXHAUSTING! Just putting on the wetsuit is a workout 😅. Then you have to carry a giant board to the beach, fight the waves to get into deeper water, and spend most of your energy battling the ocean. If you’re a beginner, I highly recommend booking only one lesson per day – those 2-hour sessions drained me completely! 💪 Pre-trip training tips: practice freestyle swimming, upper body strength, and planks! They really help. After just 5 lessons, I was already catching waves on a big board – so proud! 😆 🌅 Beyond Surfing With only one lesson a day, I had plenty of time to explore! Peniche has more to offer than just waves: Berlengas Island Tour 🏝️📸: I booked a round-trip boat ride + cave tour with FeelingBerlenga. The island is stunning – I took like 10,000 photos! If the weather’s good, you can also snorkel or dive. Horseback Riding on the Beach 🐴🌊: Booked through Passeios a Cavalo na Praia Peniche. My roommate (an experienced rider) loved it. As a non-rider, I found it a bit tame, but still a pleasant stroll along the shore. Nightlife 🎤🍹: Washed Up Bar: Karaoke night with a fun crowd – lots of Ukrainian girls singing their hearts out! Baleal Surf Ranch: Open-air bar with DJ sets and a chill party vibe at night. 👯‍♀️ Vibe & People As an extrovert, I loved meeting people from all over the world 🌍❤️ – different ages, backgrounds, and professions. Peniche has such a hippie, love-and-peace energy ✌️. Everyone was friendly, open-minded, and just living in the moment. Between surfing, watching sunsets, petting dogs 🐕, and deep chats, I forgot all my worries. Already planning my next surf trip! 😍 #PenicheSurf #SurfTrip #PortugalTravel #BalealIsland #SurfLife #SoloTravel #HippieVibes #OceanLover