Portugal ERICEIRA -WORK Surf Camp
- Marki
- Oct 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 17
✨ Content:
Dates
Work
Accommodation
Food
People
Surfing
Traveling around Portugal
Weather
My experience
DATES -
Sometimes life surprises you in the best ways. After months of searching for a position abroad, I was finally offered a job — very last minute. Anyone who’s tried knows how tough it is: the best destinations get booked out months in advance, and opportunities disappear quickly.
I had only been back home in the Czech Republic for about ten days when the offer came. My flight was booked for Sunday, October 5th, from Prague, and the price was pretty decent. The job is just for one month, and it’s volunteer work at a surf camp in Ericeira, Portugal. At first, I thought, “Why not?” Even though it’s short-term, it felt like the right step.
Right now, it’s about 12°C back home — so the idea of heading to the Portuguese coast sounds like the perfect change. I’ve never been to Portugal before, and with my upcoming six-month job in Morocco, I see this as both an adventure and a bit of training. I want to learn what it really takes to live and work in a surf camp environment before starting something bigger.
For now, I haven’t booked a return ticket. If they have extra space and I feel good there, I’ll stay longer. After all, the best journeys are the ones without a fixed ending. ✨
WORK :
My volunteer job at the surf camp is a mix of different tasks, with a schedule of 6 days a week, around 5 hours a day, and one free day to explore.
Some days I work at the surf school — booking lessons, helping with rentals, and even doing the less glamorous jobs like washing wetsuits and cleaning surfboards. Other days I’m based at the surf camp itself, where I prepare breakfasts, clean the common areas like the kitchen and living room, and sometimes help with guest check-ins.
In exchange, the camp provides me with a shared room (up to 6–7 volunteers together) and a private bathroom. Breakfast is included, and we also get access to a selection of boards just for volunteers, which means I can join surf sessions whenever I get the chance.
It’s a simple lifestyle, but one that feels full of energy, waves, and new people every day.
It might not be glamorous — early mornings, shared rooms, sandy wetsuits — but it’s real. Every day brings waves, new faces, and the rhythm of ocean life.
And honestly? I think this is a pretty sweet start to live by the ocean. 🌅
But, HEY! I am here to travel and discover and it means to get out of your comfort zone!
ACCOMMODATION — My Home by the Ocean:
As I mentioned before, accommodation here is pretty straightforward — a shared room for up to six people. During my first week, I had two roommates, but they’ve since left, and now it’s just me and one other girl sharing the space.
The room itself is perfectly clean and cozy, with everything you need to live comfortably. Breakfast is included, and there’s a big shared kitchen with plenty of fridges and storage for everyone’s food. Fresh linen, clean bathrooms — all the essentials covered.
It kind of feels like being back at boarding school, but I actually like it. The bunk beds might be a bit squeaky, and the shower floor is constantly full of sand (but hey, that’s part of life in a surfing paradise!).
The best part? The house is right in the heart of town, just a three-minute walk from the ocean. Honestly, I couldn’t wish for anything better. They even offered me to stay for another month — and of course, I said yes!
For now, I’m just happy to call this place home. 🌊✨
FOOD:
Food in Portugal is just really good! You can literally taste the difference compared to the food back in London — bread actually tastes like bread, fruit is bursting with flavour, and almost every vegetable feels like it’s straight from someone’s garden. The combination of the ocean air, small-town vibe, and local produce makes such a difference to the quality.
Most days, I live on light salads — easy, fresh, and perfect for this seaside lifestyle. But those vegan bakeries… they’re my downfall. I simply can’t resist. 🍰
Eating vegan here isn’t always simple. There aren’t that many options in restaurants, and most people don’t really know the difference between vegan and vegetarian — but honestly, that’s fine. I’m not here for restaurant hopping or to spend money on fancy meals. This is life by the ocean, not a holiday, and I love keeping it simple.
Still, I did treat myself once — to a nearby restaurant called Don Quixote, just outside Ericeira. It’s set in an old windmill with the most incredible view. The atmosphere feels like a slice of Bali (or so my friends said — I haven’t been there yet 😄). The food was absolutely sensational, and for a moment, I understood why people fall in love with Portugal’s coastal charm.
PEOPLE:
I’ve only been here for about a week, so I don’t want to jump to any big conclusions just yet — but so far, people have been incredibly kind. From the locals in the shops to the travelers in the hostel, everyone has made me feel genuinely welcome.
If you know me, you know I’m a bit of a social butterfly — I love meeting new people and chatting with strangers wherever I go. And somehow, this place makes it so easy. Even though I turned on my Portuguese lessons on Duolingo, I still end up speaking English most of the time. Yet the locals are always patient, helpful, and full of smiles. They try to guide me whenever I get lost (which happens quite often), and they always do it with warmth.
Maybe I’m just lucky — or maybe it’s true that you get what you give. I try to wander through each day with a smile and a bit of politeness, and so far, that’s been more than enough to open doors, start conversations, and make this little town feel like home. 🌞
🏄♀️ SURFING:
As many of you already know, I had a pretty nasty accident about a month ago while wakeskating — I dislocated my knee. Yep, not fun at all… and definitely not something I’d recommend to anyone! 🙃
But life doesn’t stop, right? So here I am — in the middle of a surfing paradise, still partly crippled but doing my best to make the most of it. It’s been 12 days since I arrived, and I haven’t managed to surf properly yet. Sometimes I take my board out just to paddle a bit, catch the sunset, and recharge my energy — but no real surfing for now. My body just won’t let me. The pain is too much, and standing up on the board is impossible with my knee still swollen and full of fluid.
I did buy some propolis at the local market from a friendly beekeeper, and it helps a lot. But I’m still not brave (or foolish) enough to risk making things worse. For now, I’m swimming in the ocean almost every day instead — the air is around 23°C and the water about 16°C, which feels so refreshing even without a wetsuit.
Most days you’ll find me sitting on the beach, meditating, watching the waves, and soaking in the calm. Watching other surfers makes me happy — it reminds me why I love this lifestyle so much. Maybe next week I’ll try standing up again, just to see how my knee feels. Who knows — maybe it’ll go better than I expect.
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