Tiny Whale Surf Lodge
Lagos, Portugal
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 of 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 stretch 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 Rooms, 3 Cabins, and 2 Luxury Safari Tents
FAMILY FRIENDLY: No. The retreats are open to ages 18+
CLOSEST AIRPORT: Faro Int’l Airport (FAO), AKA Algarve Airport
PRICING: from 935€ 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 private rooms and shared 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
The spacious ensuite rooms have private ensuite bathrooms and views of the garden or pool. Single, double, twin, triple, or quad set-ups are available to suit every need.
Max Guests: 2 – 4 (depending on the room)
The private rooms overlook the garden and share a full bathroom with only one other room. Single, double, and triple occupancy options are available.
Max Guests: 2 – 3 (depending on the room)
There are 2 private glamping safari tents set up in the spacious garden. Each bell tent has a king-size bed, available electricity, and access to a fully functioning outdoor bathroom which is shared with the other tent.
Max Guests: 2
This brand-new A-frame cabin has a standard setup for 2, but can sleep up to 4 guests. A mezzanine level (accessed by a ladder) has a double bed and offers panoramic views from the top window all the way to the coast. On the lower level, there is a sofa seating area, which changes into a double bed or 2 singles on request. Just a few steps from the cabin there is a private outdoor bathroom.
Max Guests: 4
Shared rooms are a popular option for groups of friends or single travelers. There is one female-only room (max 2 guests) and one mixed shared room (max 3 guests). Shared rooms have access to a shared bathroom (which is used by a maximum of 5 guests).
Max Guests: 2 – 3
The modern and cozy Bird Hide Cabins are private cabins with a double bed, located in a quiet corner of the garden. The cabins share an outdoor bathroom (only shared with a maximum of 2 other guests).
Max Guests: 2
Details
Weekly retreats run from Saturday to Saturday and are mostly all-inclusive. Packages include seven nights of accommodation, most meals, excellent small-group surf lessons, all surf equipment, transport to the beaches each day, daily video coaching or surf theory sessions, surf-inspired yoga sessions, and more. See below for details on what’s included and rates.
CHECK IN: 4 pm*
CHECK OUT: 11 am
*guests are welcome to arrive earlier and enjoy the communal areas until their rooms are ready.
Packages & Rates
What’s Included:
- 7 nights accommodation (Saturday – Saturday)
- 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 4 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
- 1 surf-inspired yoga session
- 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 (per person based on double occupancy*)
Low Season (Mar, Nov, Dec)
Shared: €785
Safari Tent: €835
Private: €1,035
Ensuite: €1,235
Mid Season (Apr, May, June)
Shared: €985
Safari Tent: €1,035
Private: €1,235
Ensuite: €1,435
High Season (July, Aug, Sept, Oct)
Shared: €1,085
Safari Tent: €1,135
Private: €1,435
Ensuite: €1,635
*All Private and Ensuite rooms are priced per person based on double occupancy. Private and Ensuite rooms can be shared by up to three people. If you want to reserve a room to have all to yourself, it’s an additional €245 for a Private room, Safari Tent, or Ensuite room for 1 guest (single occupancy).
What’s Included:
- 7 nights accommodation (Saturday – Saturday)
- 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
- 6 carefully planned surf-focused yoga sessions — guaranteed to restore, refresh, and energize
- Your own surf coach for the week, teaching in a 1 to 4 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
- 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 (per person based on double occupancy*)
Low Season (Mar, Nov, Dec)
Shared: €860
Safari Tent: €910
Private: €1,110
Ensuite: €1,310
Mid Season (Apr, May, June)
Shared: €1,060
Safari Tent: €1,110
Private: €1,310
Ensuite: €1,510
High Season (July, Aug, Sept, Oct)
Shared: €1,160
Safari Tent: €1,210
Private: €1,510
Ensuite: €1,710
*All Private and Ensuite rooms are priced per person based on double occupancy. Private and Ensuite rooms can be shared by up to three people. If you want to reserve a room to have all to yourself, it’s an additional €245 for a Private room, Safari Tent, or Ensuite room for 1 guest (single occupancy).
Good to Know
- Tiny Whale Surf Lodge is open from March 12 – November 26, and typically closes for the winter months (from late November to mid-March).
- The retreats are not ideal for children or teenagers and therefore are only open to adults 18 years of age or older.
- The retreats are deliberately kept small and limited to a maximum of 20 people.
- Reserve two weeks in a row and receive a 10% discount on your second week.
Location
Lagos, Portugal
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. Private Taxi (up to 4 people): 109€ each way / Private Mini Bus (up to 8 people): Ask for a quote
* If you’re bringing your own board, you’ll need to book a Private Mini Bus.
The Small Print
Terms & Conditions
PACKAGES & ACCOMMODATION
Payment Policy
- To secure a booking a 25% deposit will be taken in advance.
- Payment of the final balance (75%) is required no more than 30 days before your holiday commences.
- We recommend taking out travel insurance, as no cancellations can be accepted within 60 days of your holiday commencing.
- It is only possible to receive a full refund of any balances paid if you give a minimum of 60 days’ notice prior to the booking commencing. When refunds are given a 25€ cancellation fee will be applied.
- Reservation dates can be changed up to within 21 days of the holiday date commencing with an administration charge of 25€. Any changes are subject to availability.
- Bookings are taken on a first come first paid basis.
- A late check-in charge of 25€ per booking will be charged for arrivals between 11.00 pm & 7:00 am.
- Prices are subject to change without prior notice unless the initial deposit has already been paid.
Activities (Surf & SUP school + 3rd party providers)
Payment Policy
- To secure a booking a 25% deposit will be taken in advance.
- Payment of the final balance (75%) is required no more than 30 days before your activity commences.
- In the event of cancellation, notice must be received 7 days prior to the activity commencing. A cancellation fee of 25€ will be charged and will be taken from your initial deposit.
- Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made within 7 days of the activity commencement date. If you have to postpone your booking, we will try and arrange a mutually convenient alternative date for up to one year from the initial date the deposit was paid.
Safety
- For any activities taking place in water, it is required that all clients can swim a minimum of 25 meters.
- Clients are strictly required to follow the instructions of their teacher within the activity they are taking part in at all times.
- All the activities we provide ourselves are fully insured to cover any miss-practice on our part where a customer may become injured.
- The client is not covered by our insurance for ‘acts of god’ which are uncontrollable by the surf school such a weaver fish stings & lightning strikes etc.
- Any dry land surf coaching on skateboards is not insured as part of our surf school operation and clients take part at their own risk.
- We are not held responsible for the operation of any activities by 3rd party providers we book on behalf of our clients.
Surf Conditions
- The Algarve offers some of the most consistent surf in the world, however, if we are unable to find suitable conditions by 2:30 pm we reserve the right to only offer a tour of the local area or dry land-based surf coaching. Due to the uncontrollable aspect of the surfing environment, we are not able to give refunds when nature does not deliver.
Airport Transfers
- It is the client’s responsibility to read the joining information for the transfer within the email sent by us prior to arrival.
- It is the client’s responsibility to find the transfer desk and check in with them within 30 minutes of the plane landing.
Travel Insurance
- We recommend taking out good quality travel insurance for your holiday.
- If traveling from the UK we recommend you have an up to date EHIC card or equivalent for any medical services you might need.
- http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx
- We are not responsible for any robbery, theft or damage of personal items that occur whilst you are in our care or staying at our accommodation.
Rental Equipment
- Any loss or damage to any rented or borrowed equipment of ours in clients care will be charged at our discretion to fix or replace the item.
Coronavirus Guarantee
Tiny Whale Covid Guarantee
- These additional terms cover both new customers and customers who have already booked a trip at Tiny Whale, and give peace of mind in dealing with any Coronavirus-related last-minute changes such as flight cancellations or quarantine rules.
- All holidays booked for dates between January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 can be rescheduled just 48 hours before your arrival date to account for any last-minute changes like flights being canceled or new quarantine rules when returning to your home country. If rescheduling because of Covid, proof will need to be given such as a flight cancellation or email proof of a positive test.
- Rescheduling your trip is free of charge.
- Trips can be rescheduled up to December 31, 2024.