Surf Camp & Inclusive Coastal Conservation in Porto
Join a surf camp in Porto where you’ll ride waves, teach inclusive lessons, and protect Portugal’s coastline through hands-on environmental action.
Volunteer in Porto and combine surf, social impact, and environmental care. As an Oyster volunteer, you’ll help deliver inclusive surf lessons for children and individuals with disabilities, support beach cleanups, and enjoy world-class waves on Portugal’s spectacular Atlantic coast.
Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Arrival day: Sunday
Return day: Saturday
Eligibility: General level of fitness required.
Age: 18+
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Highlights
- Surf in Northern Portugal: Take surf lessons on Porto’s nearby beaches with qualified instructors — ideal for beginners and experienced surfers alike.
- Support Inclusive Surfing: Assist with community surf sessions for children and people with disabilities, promoting confidence and connection through the ocean.
- Protect Coastal Ecosystems: Help clean and preserve Portugal’s stunning beaches through conservation tasks like litter removal and recycling.
- Live the Surf Lifestyle: Stay in central Porto, near the river and ocean, and connect with fellow volunteers in a fun, purpose-driven community.
- Give Back Locally: Support environmental and social efforts that directly benefit Porto’s coastline and communities.
Portugal is one of Europe’s top surf destinations, but beyond the waves lies a deeper story of connection — between nature, people, and the community. This Surf Camp in Porto blends personal adventure with social and environmental impact, giving you the chance to ride the waves and create positive change.
As a volunteer, you’ll assist in inclusive surf sessions that open the ocean to everyone, especially those who may otherwise be excluded — including children and people with disabilities. You’ll work alongside local coaches to support learning, build trust, and create a space where confidence and joy can grow through water.
In addition to community surf efforts, you’ll help care for Portugal’s coastline through beach cleanups and simple environmental tasks like waste separation and awareness raising. The aim is to help protect biodiversity, reduce plastic pollution, and promote long-term sustainable practices among beach users.
Based in Porto — a lively, historic city on the Douro River — you’ll live close to public transport, explore northern Portugal during your free time, and enjoy a relaxed, sociable atmosphere with other volunteers.
This is a project where sport, sustainability, and inclusion come together — and where your actions make a direct, visible difference for people and the planet.
Your time will be split between surfing and volunteering. You’ll take part in surf sessions several times per week, while also contributing to impactful activities such as:
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Inclusive surf lessons – assist with safe, supervised surf sessions for local children or individuals with disabilities
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Beach cleanups – remove waste and sort recyclables to preserve local marine ecosystems
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Awareness efforts – help spread sustainable practices within the surf community
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Community logistics – help with surf gear, setup, and supporting beneficiaries with varying needs
Tasks vary depending on tides, conditions, and community needs, and you’ll always be supported by local staff and instructors.
Volunteers in Porto stay in a sociable, dorm-style hostel located in the heart of the city — just steps from the Douro River and close to public transport. The hostel offers a comfortable and well-equipped base for your surf and volunteer experience, with easy access to beaches, restaurants, and local landmarks.
Key features include:
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Shared rooms with 1–7 other volunteers (same gender) and en suite bathrooms
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Private room upgrades available on request
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Located near São Bento train station and within walking distance of shops and metro
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Individual lockers, reading lights, power outlets, and air conditioning at each bed
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Breakfast, Lunch and dinner provided at a nearby local restaurant
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Fully equipped shared kitchen for additional food storage or meal prep
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Relaxed communal spaces for socialising with fellow volunteers
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Free Wi-Fi throughout the hostel
Extra nights
- Dormitory (bed and breakfast): £30
- Private: Subject to request
Volunteers are provided with three meals per day — giving you a chance to enjoy authentic Portuguese cuisine while staying fuelled for surf and volunteer activities.
Included meals:
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Breakfast is provided daily at a nearby local restaurant
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Lunch and dinner are also provided daily at a nearby local restaurant
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Meals feature fresh, seasonal ingredients and traditional Portuguese dishes
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A vegetarian option is usually available — let the team know in advance about allergies or dietary needs
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Volunteers can also access a fully equipped shared kitchen at the hostel for snacks or personal meal prep
Food Not Provided
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Snacks, drinks, and meals outside of the scheduled three daily meals
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Special dietary items or specific food brands (e.g. plant-based alternatives, gluten-free products)
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Meals missed due to personal travel, late returns, or changes in daily schedule
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Food is not provided during optional excursions or independent travel on days off
Travel arrangements
Airport: Porto (OPO)
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 Porto
- 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 4 euros per day)
- Return costs to the airport
More Information
Volunteers work 3–5 hours per day, Monday to Friday. You’ll have at least two days off per week, typically on weekends.
Sample day:
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07:00–09:30 – Breakfast at the hostel
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10:00–13:00 – Surf lesson or inclusive group session
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13:30–14:30 – Lunch at a nearby restaurant
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15:00–17:00 – Beach cleanup or community activity
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19:00–21:00 – Dinner and free time
Surf and volunteering times may vary depending on weather and ocean conditions.
No surf or teaching experience is required. However:
- Basic English is necessary
- Volunteers should be punctual, respectful, and physically able to participate
You’ll need to:
- Arrive on time
- Avoid unauthorised photos (especially of vulnerable groups)
- Minimise phone use during activities
- Follow safety protocols
- Notify staff in advance if missing a session
You’ll have evenings and weekends free to relax or explore Porto and the surrounding area. Many volunteers take this time to enjoy the city’s food, music, and culture — or head to the coast for more time by the sea. Activities you might enjoy include:
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Visiting Ribeira, Porto’s historic riverside district and UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Exploring local markets, museums, or the famous Livraria Lello bookshop
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Tasting traditional Portuguese cuisine and visiting local cafés
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Joining a Douro River wine tour or exploring the vineyards of the Minho region
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Taking a day trip to Aveiro (known as the “Venice of Portugal”) or to the beaches of Matosinhos
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.
Late May to June and September to October offer the best balance of warm weather, fewer crowds, and moderate prices. Early June features the São João Festival, a major local celebration.
July and August are hot and crowded, with higher prices—good for beaches and nightlife.
November to March is cooler and rainier, with fewer tourists and lower costs, ideal for museums and wine tasting.
For pleasant weather and a rich cultural experience without the crowds, late spring or early autumn s ideal.
Porto is one of Europe’s more affordable cities, but it’s still wise to plan ahead for extras. Here’s a rough guide for weekly spending:
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Local transport to the project: approx. €4 per day (€20/week)
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Snacks, extra drinks, or meals out: €30–€50 per week
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Optional activities or excursions: €20–€100+ depending on the trip
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Souvenirs and extras: €10–€30
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Total recommended budget: €60–€100 per week, plus any personal extras or travel
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Here’s what we recommend:
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Bring a small amount of cash for your first couple of days (around €50–€100)
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Use international debit or credit cards to withdraw money from ATMs — this is often the easiest and cheapest option
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Cards are widely accepted in Porto, but small shops, cafés, or markets may prefer cash
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Consider using a travel card or app (like Revolut or Wise) to avoid high exchange fees
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If you’re from the EU or EEA, you don’t need a visa to enter Portugal
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If you’re from a visa-exempt country (like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), you can stay in Portugal for up to 90 days within any 180-day period
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If you’re from a country that requires a visa, you must apply for a Schengen visa before you travel
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If you need an invitation letter for your visa application, this can be provided after you confirm your place
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Portugal
Always check the latest entry requirements for your nationality with your local Portuguese embassy or consulate.
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 Porto.
There is good phone reception in Porto
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].
