faq portugal
questions
general questions
where is sandycamps surf house ?
Sandycamps is in the beautiful surf village of Baleal, 90 km north of Lisbon. We are 50 minutes drive from Lisbon Humberto Delgado International airport, and only few hours for most of European airports. It is the ideal surf destination all-year-long for a total change of scenery, 365 days of good to perfect waves.
how do i get to sandycamps surf house ?
From Lisbon (the nearest airport) to Sandycamps, you have three options:
Transfer/Taxi: You can book a private transfer with us from the airport at any time of the day or night for 95€ per way, or from Lisbon city center from 105€ per way. Another possibility is to take a taxi on your own from Lisbon airport to Sandycamps. It is around 110€-130€ per way. You can also find many Ubers but it's not as reliable during the evening/night time.
Bus: From Lisbon airport, go to the bus station "Sete Rios”. To get there, you can see the different public transport options on this website: https://www.carris.pt/en/travel/planear-viagem/. From Sete Rios (Expressos), take a direct bus from the company Rede Expressos (around 9€ per way) to Peniche bus station. From Peniche bus station, you are 10 minutes by taxi to Sandycamps (8-10€), or 45 minutes walking. It's important to book the taxi in advance, otherwise you might way too long. Overall count around 3 hours and about 20€.
Rent a car: The main rental companies are located inside the airport. We often rent with "Guerin" because there are no hidden charges and the whole process of picking up/dropping off the car is quick and easy.
Which airline company to choose ?
Many low-cost airline companies operate regular flights to Portugal. You'll find a lot of compagnies flying to Lisbon or Porto.
The flight tickets can be very cheap, although they vary with the seasons. We recommend you to consult booking websites like Skyscanner, Expedia, or search engines as DuckDuckGo, to find the best prices.
when can i arrive ?
You can arrive any day of the week, for the amount of nights you wish.
at what time is the check-in ?
You can arrive any time of the day or night with our autonomous check-in. Your room is ready from 14h and you will find your key on the door, inside. Before your arrival, you will receive videos to enter the house and your room, giving you the freedom to arrive at any moment without worrying about the time. If you arrive early, you can leave your bags in the living room and start to enjoy the house, kitchen, shared bathroom, etc.
at what time is the check out ?
You can stay in your room until 11 am. Please leave the towels on the floor and your key on the door. You are welcome to stay longer in the Surf House if you’d like. Leave your bags in the living room, and keep enjoying the house and shared facilities until you leave.
Do I need a visa to come to portugal ?
EU citizens don't need a visa to come to Portugal. You only need your passport or ID.
For other countries you can have a look here
what is the cancellation policy ?
If you cancel more than 6 weeks before your arrival, you will receive a full refund minus a 50€ administration fee. Cancellations made between 6 weeks and 30 days before arrival will be refunded at 50%. Cancellations made between 30 to 15 days before arrival will be refunded at 25%. Less than 15 days before arrival, the full amount is charged. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations.
Do I need an insurance ?
We do not insure you during your stay at Sandycamps. Any person booking a stay at Sandycamps must subscribe to a travel insurance and a civil liability that covers the entire duration of the stay, travels and medical care, before the arrival and until the return.
By booking a stay with us, you acknowledge that you have personally subscribed to an insurance covering your travel/medical care/accidents and a civil liability for the entire duration of your stay. We shall not be held accountable in any way, and will not accept any responsibility or any obligation for the loss or deterioration of personal belongings, financial loss, accident, disease, fault, delay or prejudice to yourself or a third party, occurring on your way to SANDYCAMPS, during your stay, and your return. Tip : World Nomads
Can I come with my family and children ?
Babies and children are welcome at Sandycamps Surf House in Portugal. They nevertheless remain under the sole responsibility of their parents, who must look after them during the entire stay. All children's equipment must be brought by parents, as Sandycamps is not equipped to do so.
Can I use my mobile phone in portugal ?
Almost all European telephone operators have partners in Portugal. Before your departure, we recommend checking or contacting your operator to have all the necessary information and pricing policies applied abroad to avoid bad surprises back home.
can i connect to internet/wifi and where ?
We have a very good high speed internet connection in the Surf House. It's ideal to work remotely.
What are the electrical outlets and voltage in portugal ?
We use 220-Volts outlets with European standard power sockets, type C.
Do you supply shower towels ?
Yes we supply shower towels but not beach towels. Don't forget to bring your own with you.
How far are the surf spots from Sandycamps ?
Sandycamps is next to the main beach of Baleal, just 3 minute walk from the sandy dunes and nice waves.
Should I pay an extra fee to have a single room ?
We have twin and double rooms. If you're travelling alone and want privacy, the single room supplement is 30€/night.
i'm a solo traveler
Sandycamps is a friendly and chilled Surf House where you will feel home instantaneously, and meet like minded travellers and surfers from around the World.
is peniche safe for solo female travellers ?
Yes. Peniche and Baleal are safe, welcoming destinations with a strong international surf community. Many of our guests travel solo, including a large number of women. The atmosphere at the surf house is friendly and relaxed from day one. Ferrel and Baleal villages are compact and easy to navigate on foot, and you'll quickly feel part of the community. Besides, Portugal is in the top safest countries in the World.
Is there a pharmacy close to the surf house ?
Yes, there are 2 pharmacies in Ferrel (a 20-30 minutes walk from the house), and several in Peniche.
is there a store close to the Surf house to buy groceries ?
Yes, there is a small supermarket only 3 minute walk from the Surf House.
It's here:
https://goo.gl/maps/ifS5vTV49pH8rWht8
If you have a car, you can also go to Peniche where there are some big supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi, Continente, Pingo Doce, Intermarché,...)
is there a surf shop close to the surf house ?
Yes, there is a nice surf shop at 200 meters from Sandycamps Surf House, with a large selection of surf equipment, as well as souvenirs, clothes, hats, sunglasses and more. Here it is:
https://goo.gl/maps/ifS5vTV49pH8rWht8
can you recommend bars and restaurant around ?
Yes, you can chack our maps of Peniche and Baleal for restaurants, bars, supermarkets and more recommendations here:
can i explore the area without a car ?
Within a radius of 100 to 500 meters from the Surf House, you'll find restaurants, beach bars and cafés, surf shops, ATMs, a mini-market, a bakery, and of course the beach just a few steps away with its many surf spots. So everything during your stay can be done on foot. To go further and explore the surrounding area (Obidos, Nazaré, etc.), it's possible to take a taxi, although a car is more practical (if you don't rent at the airport, you can do so by the day with the Ferrel agency - next to super lagide supermarket - or those of Peniche). Unfortunately, public transport is not yet very well developed for tourism. We'll be delighted to give you more information and advice on the spot, according to your wishes.
where can i park my car ?
You will find many free parking spots on the side of the house. Please DO NOT park in front of the surf house gate, or in front of any neighbour house in our street. These are private parking spots.
are pets allowed ?
Pets are not allowed at the Surf House to preserve the other's guests peace and potential allergies.
what are the best excursions from peniche ?
The Peniche area is incredibly rich for day trips. Within 45 minutes you can visit the medieval walled town of Óbidos (15 min), the Berlengas Archipelago (30 min by boat), the giant wave mecca of Nazaré (40 min), and the world surf reserve of Ericeira (45 min). Lisbon is just over an hour away. We can help you organise transport and recommend the best itineraries depending on your interests — just ask our team.
is there a laundry close to the Surf House ?
Yes there is a laundry just few meters from the Surf House. It's easy and affordable to wash and dry your clothes. It's here:
https://goo.gl/maps/ehk3c55PXzH3QaDq7
surf questions
how can i book a surf lesson ?
You can scan the QR code above the lessons prices in the garden and follow the steps of the booking system. After your payment we will send you a confirmation email.
how can i rent a surfboard and wetsuit ?
You can scan the QR code above the surf rental prices in the garden and follow the steps of the booking system. After your payment we will give you the surfboard of your choice and a wetsuit.
Do I need to know how to surf to come to Sandycamps ?
You don’t need to know how to surf to join Sandycamps. There is no minimum level to join our courses. About half of our clients have never surfed before. We offer “beginner” courses for those who have never set foot on a surfboard.
What type of waves am I going to surf during my stay ?
There is more than 30 surf spots around the surf house and in the area of Peniche and Baleal. You will find small easy beginner waves or powerful hollow waves for advanced surfers.
Should I know how to swim to join a surf course at Sandycamps ?
You must mandatorily know how to swim to join our courses (or any surf lesson anywhere in the world). All surfers are not necessarily Olympic champions of course, but you do need to feel comfortable in the water and be able to swim. You will learn to surf in an area adapted to you level, where you can slowly get used to the ocean and waves.
what is the best surf spot for beginners in Peniche ?
Baleal beach, just 3 minutes from our surf house, is perfect for beginners. Its sandy bottom, consistent gentle waves and sheltered position make it one of the best learning spots on the Portuguese coast. Our instructors will guide you to the right section of the beach depending on your level and the conditions of the day. As you progress, over 30 surf spots are accessible within a short drive.
Is surfing a dangerous sport ?
Surfing can be dangerous for yourself and others if you don’t respect certain rules.
Our professional instructors will teach you all the safety rules and assist you while during the surf lesson. They will also tell you the right schedule for the surf lesson regarding your level, the tide, the wind and the size of the waves.
Is the surf equipment included during the lessons (surfboards and wetsuits) ?
Yes surfboard and wetsuits are included in the surf lesson prices.
Can I change to another level during my stay ?
Of course. If the instructor sees you are not in the right group/level, they will redirect you to a more suited one. If you have any doubts or request about the lesson, you can always discuss it with the instructors who are very kind and here to offer you an amazing time in the ocean.
how much is a surf lessons ?
1 surf lesson is 35 Euros. A pack of 5 lessons is 150 Euros. Private lessons are also available.
Are there surf lessons every day ?
Yes we offer surf lessons every day in the morning and the afternoon. Time may vary depending on the time of the year. You can see the time slots available during the booking process.
what kind of surfboards do you have at sandycamps ?
We have all kind of different sizes and surfboard shapes for every level. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, we have the right board for you! We have soft and epoxy surfboard of all sizes and shapes.
do you offer private surf lessons ?
Yes, private surf lessons are available on request and subject to instructor availability. A private lesson gives you one-on-one coaching tailored entirely to your level and goals, ideal if you want to progress faster, read the spots better, or work on a specific technique. It is also possible to film or take pictures of your session with a photograph. Contact us at bookings@sandycamps.com to arrange your private session.
What type of wetsuit do you recommend for portugal ?
From May to November a 3/2 mm wetsuit is enough and the rest of the year a 4/3 and boots are recommended.
is there a wave pool near peniche ?
Yes — a wave pool is opening soon just 15 minutes from our surf house. It will be a great option for beginners who want to practice in a controlled environment, or for experienced surfers who want to work on specific manoeuvres regardless of ocean conditions. We will keep our guests informed as soon as it opens.
yoga questions
Do you offer yoga lessons IN PENICHE ?
We don't offer yoga lessons inside our structures on a daily basis, but yoga lessons can be organised upon demand. The price varies depending on the amount of guests joining the lesson. We can either organise them for you, or give you all the information to join group classes in the studios around us.
WHERE CAN I DO YOGA LESSONS ?
You will find 3-4 yoga studios within a 15-30 minutes walk from the surf house, or just a few minutes by bike. We can give you the names and location so you can choose the styles and timing that suit you best.