Surf Camp & Coastal Conservation in Lisbon
Catch waves and protect the ocean by joining a unique surf and conservation camp on Portugal’s stunning coastline!
Join a surf and conservation camp in Lisbon where you’ll ride waves and protect the planet. As an Oyster volunteer, you’ll combine surf lessons with beach clean ups, waste sorting, and local awareness campaigns that help preserve Portugal’s stunning coastline. A perfect mix of adventure, environmental action, and community impact.
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Arrival day: Sunday
Return day: Saturday
Eligibility: General level of fitness required.
Age: 16+
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Highlights
- Surf the Atlantic: Enjoy professional surf lessons on Portugal’s world-class beaches, tailored to your skill level.
- Protect the Coastline: Join beach and forest cleanups to reduce pollution and preserve local ecosystems.
- Promote Sustainability: Take part in awareness campaigns that educate others on marine conservation and eco-living.
- Hands-On Environmental Action: Help sort recyclables, clean public areas, and document your work for impact.
- Live by the Ocean: Stay in a beachside hostel near Lisbon and connect with other ocean-loving volunteers.
Portugal’s coastline is famous for its surf, its scenic beaches, and its rich marine biodiversity. But this natural beauty is increasingly under threat from plastic pollution, litter, and unsustainable tourism. This surf camp offers a way for volunteers to give back to the ocean while enjoying everything it has to offer.
Based just outside Lisbon, this programme blends adventure with activism. Volunteers take part in daily surf lessons with professional instructors and spend the rest of the day helping with local environmental initiatives. These include beach clean ups, sorting collected waste, and engaging in awareness activities that promote sustainable living and conservation values.
The camp aims to inspire a deeper connection with the ocean — showing volunteers how the sea sustains life, generates oxygen, supports global economies, and deserves to be protected. From learning about marine debris to advocating for behaviour change, volunteers become part of a larger movement to preserve coastal environments for future generations.
Whether you’re collecting plastic waste, explaining the importance of recycling, or helping others fall in love with the ocean, your presence makes a real impact.
No previous experience is needed — just a willingness to learn, work as a team, and embrace both challenge and fun. Volunteers are supported by local coordinators and will have plenty of time to explore Lisbon, connect with fellow travellers, and relax by the water.
By joining this programme, you’ll not only develop your surf skills but also leave a positive legacy on Portugal’s coast — one wave, one cleanup, and one conversation at a time.
Your days will be split between physical environmental action and surf instruction. Tasks vary depending on weather, tides, and community needs, but may include:
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Beach and forest cleanups – remove litter from local coastlines and green spaces
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Sorting and disposal – separate recyclables and dispose of collected waste responsibly
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Awareness campaigns – engage locals or tourists in sustainability efforts, from posters to social media
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Surf lessons – learn to surf or improve your skills with trained instructors
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Community support – help build a culture of environmental respect through teamwork and public engagement
Are you looking for paid work in the conservation sector after volunteering or interning? Oyster have teamed up with our friends at Conservation Careers who support people to find paid work in conservation following study or a career change. You can add their fantastic and flexible course to your volunteering trip with Oyster. Your Oyster experience will help add interest to your conservation resume as an eye catching addition to your job applications in future!
- Shared volunteer house Lisbon, 20 – 30 minutes from the city centre and the beach hostel in the summer near the beach
- Share a room and bathroom with 1 – 7 other volunteers
- The eco-house prides itself on being one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in Lisbon
- Single use plastics are kept to a minimum, food waste is composted or shared with those in need, furniture is built from recycled goods
- Large garden with swimming pool
- Large communal areas
- WiFi available throughout the house
Extra nights:
Dormitory:
£40 – full board
£25 – breakfast only
Private room: £75(with meals)
Upgrade:
Private room: £200 / week / room
- You will receive three meals per day
- Breakfast consists of fruit, breads and spreads, cereals, toast, tea and coffee
- Lunch and dinner often include meat, fish, pasta, rice, vegetables, salad, stir fry
- Typical Portuguese food is served
- There is 24/7 access to tea, coffee, fruit and biscuits
- Provision can be made for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets and lactose-free diets
Travel arrangements
Airport: Lisbon (LIS)
Arrival day: Sunday. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to the accommodation
Departure day: Saturday
Included
- Access to your own personal ‘My Oyster’ account – our online portal where you can find out much more about the program and manage your booking
- Dedicated contact time with an experienced destination manager to discuss the project, answer any of your questions and for us to find out more about you
- Help and advice from our UK office before arrival and whilst you are away
- Pre-departure information covering medical, safety and project advice
- Gold level, 24/7 Pharos crisis management and incident support cover
- Financial protection: ATOL (if we book your flights).
- Thorough orientation on arrival
- In-country support
- Accommodation (see the ‘accommodation’ section above for details)
- Advice on visa requirements
- Oyster plants a tree in Africa with TreeAid to help reduce the impact of global carbon emissions
- Airport collection and transfer to your accommodation
- Three meals per day
- 2 hour guided tour of Lisbon
- Linen and towels
On your return:
- Welcome home pack
- Certificate of Recognition (on request)
- References (on request)
Not Included
- Flights – as an ATOL bonded company, Oyster can book flights for you
- You need a valid passport that meets the requirements of the country you will be travelling to
- Insurance (covering your time with Oyster and any planned independent travel)
- Any costs associated with changing your return flight date if you need to
- Independent travel costs
- Home country travel costs
- Spending money for additional trips, food and entertainment
- Transport to your project (budget 10 euros per day)
- Return costs to the airport
More Information
Your schedule depends on the ocean and weather conditions but typically includes a daily surf lesson paired with a cleanup or awareness activity.
A sample day could look like:
08:00 – 09:30: Breakfast at the accommodation
10:00 – 13:00: Surf lesson with a certified instructor
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch and downtime
14:30 – 17:30: Environmental activity (beach cleanup, recycling, awareness campaign)
19:00 – 21:00: Dinner and free time
Shifts vary throughout the week, and you’ll have free evenings and weekends to explore Lisbon, relax at the beach, or join organised activities and tours.
There are no specific qualifications required to join the Surf Camp in Lisbon. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, you’ll receive guidance appropriate to your level.
What’s most important is that you:
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Are punctual and respectful of the team’s time
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Are ready to follow safety guidance from instructors and coordinators
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Can participate in physical tasks (carrying bags, walking on uneven terrain)
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Use your phone only when necessary during activities
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Seek permission before posting photos of others
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Commit to showing up and being part of the community
If you love the ocean, enjoy staying active, and care about the environment, this programme is a perfect fit.
- Enjoy the sights of Lisbon
- Explore the amazing town and castle of Sintra
- Go surfing!
- Go diving
- Learn Portuguese
- Take a day trip to do wine tasting, caving, city tours and more!
- You will have either your morning, afternoon or evenings and weekends free
Whilst late-availability is possible, we would advise booking as soon as you can to guarantee your ideal dates. Our projects are very popular and spaces can fill up several months in advance, especially for the months of June to September.
- Lisbon enjoys on average 300 days of sunshine per year
- The wettest months are October – February
- Temperatures from November – February are about 9 – 15 degrees celsius
- Temperatures from March – October are about 15 – 30 degrees celsius
We would recommend budgeting approximately £50 a week for free time activities.
There are cash machines located all over Lisbon, and there is one just a few minutes walk from the volunteer house. You should take at least two cards with you, and let your bank know that you will be going away.
Typically you won’t need a visa for stays up to 3 months. You should make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
Most of our volunteers are independent travellers and you will become part of a group of people from around the world here. It is fine to travel with friends or as part of a small group too however- more the merrier!
The simple answer to this question is, yes absolutely!
It is important to bear in mind however that this may not be like other holidays that you have taken. Remember that you are volunteering in Portugal, and this means that you will be put to work! This sort of holiday is a world away from sun loungers and cocktails, with our volunteers often heading home tired but immensely satisfied. If you think that you will need a bit of relaxing time on your trip too, do make sure to factor this in when your time on the project is complete.
You should visit your doctor or travel nurse to find out what vaccinations you will need. Your routine vaccinations will need to be up to date. You should follow your doctor’s advice.
For any information related to Covid-19, please see the Fit for Travel website or the UK government’s travel advice page for Portugal.
Doctors, pharmacies and hospitals are located within 5 – 20 minutes of the accommodation.
Portugal has been listed as the third safest country in the world. You will be living in the thriving city of Lisbon, in a leafy residential neighbourhood. There are similar crime levels in Lisbon to any city in the world, and you should keep an eye on your belongings when you are out and about.
You wll be working with local volunteers at all times.
There is free wifi provided at the volunteer house. You will receive a free local SIM card on arrival if you would like to use 3G. Make sure that your phone is unlocked before arrival so that you can use the local SIM card.
We would suggest that you download the App Whatsapp prior to arrival so that you can be added into the volunteer group once you are in Lisbon.
There is good phone reception in Lisbon.
You will need a European plug.
Portugal is on the same time zone as the UK and Ireland – GMT and BST.
Supervision will be fairly intensive during the first few days, when you will receive a thorough induction and work-related training. Once you are comfortable with things, you might not always have a supervisor working alongside you, but there will always be staff and other volunteers around to help, and you will always be accompanied for any high risk activities.
Staff at Oyster’s head office and in-country will be responsible for your safety and welfare while you are at the project. This will start from the moment you are picked up from the airport until the end of your project. Before and after these times, you will be outside Oyster’s responsibility and should make sure that you act safely and avoid risk. This is also true if you choose to leave the project during your time off. We will give you plenty of guidance and advice about this.
Got a question or want to chat to Project Manager Kate who has first-hand experience of the project? Call +44 (0) 1892 771 973 or email: – [email protected].
