Tiny Whale Surf Lodge

Upscale boutique surf camp tucked away in the countryside on Portugal’s stunning Algarve coast.

Surrounded by greenery and peaceful vibes, Tiny Whale Surf Lodge is a gem of a surf retreat. The retreat has been operating for years, but they recently made some major upgrades and moved into a beautiful new location with everything you would ever want on a surf getaway.

Tiny Whale specializes in week-long packages that include seven nights accommodation, most meals (by their very talented in-house chef), excellent small-group surf lessons, all surf equipment, transportation to the beaches, and other goodies.

Located in the small village of Colinas Verdes, about five minutes from Lagos on Portugal’s southern coast, Tiny Whale is surrounded by quiet countryside yet in close proximity to the nearby town and beaches.

White stuccoed walls and terracotta tiled roofing give a nod to the traditional Portuguese farmhouse, and the interiors have been updated in a cozy minimalist style with neutral hues, woven natural rugs and light wood furniture.

A generous veranda and terrace stretches the span of the lodge with plenty of space to enjoy the sunny days and starry nights. After a day of surfing the stunning coast of the Algarve, get your relaxation on at a lounge chair around the pool before enjoying an alfresco dinner with your new surf friends. Then cap the evening off with a soak in the jacuzzi and a glass or two of local Arinto wine around the fire pit.

The Lowdown

VIBE: Cozy modern farmhouse

LOCALE: Peaceful coastal countryside

ROOMS: 7 total / 4 private ensuite rooms, 2 private rooms, 1 shared room

FAMILY FRIENDLY: Partially (babies up to 2 years and kids 12 years and older are accepted)

CLOSEST AIRPORT: Faro Int’l Airport (FAO), AKA Algarve Airport

PRICING: from 685€ per person per week

Features

Inside

In the lodge there is a breakfast area, lounge, and reception where you can request anything you need during your stay. Common spaces are open and light-filled with a giant built-in couch and communal dining table. Rooms are tasteful and comfortable, with touches like cozy blankets for a homey feel. Choose from a variety of shared rooms, private rooms, or large ensuite rooms.

Outside

The beautiful outdoor space is perfect for taking advantage of Portugal’s plentiful sunshine. The property is surrounded by trees and the large terrace has plenty of options for lounging and soaking up the sun. There’s an outdoor pool, jacuzzi, dining area with pizza oven, bar, lounge area with fire pit, yoga space, ping pong table, and a surfboard/wetsuit area to store your gear.

Eat & Drink

The professional in-house chef makes fresh meals with locally-sourced produce. The stay includes almost all meals, including healthy breakfasts, beach picnics for surf days, and two-course dinners with dishes like tuna steak with salsa verde or Moroccan chicken tagine. The only meals that aren’t included are two evenings when the hosts take the group out for dinner in Lagos.

The Surf

The Algarve’s position on the corner of the Iberian Peninsula blesses it with the widest swell window in Portugal and frequent offshores on the south coast. There’s a wide range of reef and beach breaks, and the vast unspoiled coast give you the potential for uncrowded waves. Waves can be found year round in the region, but the summer can bring some flat spells. While May to July is typically the least favorable time for more advanced surfers, if you’re just learning to surf, summer is a great time to visit, as the waves are small, and the weather and water are warmest.

WATER TEMP: 58 – 72 °F (14 – 22 °C)

PEAK SURF SEASON: October – December

SHOULDER SURF SEASON: January – April, August, Sept

SURF EXPERIENCE: Beginner to advanced

Rooms

Details

Weekly packages run from Saturday to Saturday and include seven nights accommodation, most meals, excellent small-group surf lessons, all surf equipment, transport to the beaches each day, daily video coaching or surf theory sessions, and two surf-inspired yoga sessions.

CHECK IN: 4 pm*

CHECK OUT: 11 am

*guests are welcome to arrive earlier and enjoy the communal areas until their rooms are ready.

What's Included

7 nights accommodation
7 healthy breakfasts
5 beach picnics for your surf days at the beach
5 delicious 2-course evening meals at the lodge (made by their talented in-house chef)
5 carefully structured days surfing with ISA level 2 coaches based on your individual surfing goals
Your own surf coach for the week, teaching in a 1 to 3 coach-to-student ratio or less
Daily video coaching or surf theory sessions
All the surf equipment you’ll need
Transport to the best beaches each day
2 surf-inspired yoga sessions
WIFI available in all bedrooms
Daily tea, coffee, and cakes back at the lodge after your surf sessions
Use of all surf lodge facilities including pool, jacuzzi, garden, etc
Optional deep tissue massage to relax and restore
Tiny Whale’s experienced team on hand

The Lowdown on Dinner:

The in-house chef prepares dinner on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, and Saturday night is DIY Pizza Night. Dinner consists of aperitifs and cocktails served by the hosts by the pool, followed by a two-course dinner.
On Monday and Thursday nights, your hosts take the group out to dinner in Lagos. Dinner and drinks on these nights are not included in your weekly package tuition.

Rates

SURF PACKAGE

Low Season (Mar, Apr, Nov)
Shared: €685
Private: €785
Ensuite: €935

Mid Season (May, June, Oct)
Shared: €785
Private: €885
Ensuite: €1035

High Season (July, Aug, Sept)
Shared: €885
Private: €985
Ensuite: €1135

*All private and en suite rooms are priced per person based on double occupancy. All private and en suite rooms can be shared by up to three people. Extra 175€ for a private or en suite room for 1 traveler.

SURF & YOGA PACKAGE

Low Season (Mar, Apr, Nov)
Shared: €735
Private: €835
Ensuite: €985

Mid Season (May, June, Oct)
Shared: €835
Private: €935
Ensuite: €1085

High Season (July, Aug, Sept)
Shared: €935
Private: €1035
Ensuite: €1185

Good to Know

– Tiny Whale Surf Lodge is open between late March and late November, and closes for the winter months (from late November to late March). In 2020 the lodge will reopen for their season on March 28th.

– Tiny Whale only accepts children 12 years of age and older, but they do allow babies up to 2 years old and can provide baby beds, high chairs, and for an extra cost even a babysitter service.

Location

Tiny Whale Surf Lodge is located in the small village of Colinas Verdes in the Algarve region in southwest Portugal, about a five minute drive from the nearest town of Lagos. The Algarve is known for its stunning coastline, picturesque countryside, and beautiful beaches. The area is also known for having good consistent surf, as this region has one of the widest swell windows in Europe.

Getting There

Fly into Faro International Airport (FAO). Discounted airport transfers can be arranged from/to Faro Airport. Shared Shuttle: 27€ each way per person/ Private Taxi (up to 4 ppl): 88€ each way/ Private Mini Bus (up to 8 ppl): 96€ each way
* If you’re bringing your own board, you’ll need to book a Private Mini Bus.