A first trip rarely fails because of your level. It fails because of six decisions taken before departure, and each one takes five minutes to fix.
1. Coming in January to learn
January is rated `excellent`: for advanced surfers and experts, at 2.2 m of average swell. A beginner will spend the week on the edge.
The months for a first trip are April and May: 1.4 m then 1.0 m, the water coming back up, crowds and prices at their lowest.
2. Choosing your camp on price
Between the cheapest and the dearest documented camp there is 50 € over the week. That is a baggage supplement. What actually varies is the number of students per instructor and the breaks they take you to.
3. Bringing your own board
The hold supplement often costs more than hiring on the spot, and for a first trip a softboard is the right tool anyway. You will choose a board when you know what you want.
4. Aiming for Anchor Point
That is the wave from the videos, rated 4.9, given as advanced to expert with a maximum crowd factor. Going too early means paddling while other people surf.
The best break is not the one with the best rating. It is the one where you will catch the most waves that week.
5. Booking five nights
Two days settling in, three days surfing, and you leave having started. Seven nights is the useful minimum, and the step from five to seven is the best money you will spend on the trip.
6. Not asking for the fallback
The swell comes up, sometimes a lot. A serious camp has a fallback break and names it. A camp that answers "we'll see" will cancel your day.
The summary
| Decision | The reflex | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Season | winter is better | April or May to learn |
| Camp | the cheapest | the best coaching |
| Board | your own | hire on the spot |
| Break | the famous one | the one at your level |
| Length | 5 nights | 7 nights |
| Weather | we'll see | insist on a fallback |
Frequently asked
Do I need a visa?
Most European passports enter visa-free for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Rules change: confirm with a consulate before booking anything non-refundable.
Which wetsuit?
The water runs from 18 °C in winter to 21 °C in summer. A 3/2 covers most of the year, a shorty is enough at the warmest. Camps hire both.
Can I come without being able to swim?
No. That is the one non-negotiable requirement.
The seasons are set out in the when to go guide, and choosing a camp in which surf camp.
