11 Madeira Surfing Lessons Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Madeira Island Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 282 reviews · 4 hours · from $100Our pick

Spend four hours learning to surf with Johnny, Kaia, or another MadSea instructor. You’ll warm up on the beach, practice technique, then ride beginner-friendly waves at Machico, Seixal, or Porto da Cruz. Transport, board, wetsuit, insurance, and coaching are included.

“The guys were great, they gave us the basics of surfing and by the end of the lesson we were all able to stand on the board. It was my first time surfing, so I was a bit scared, but I never felt in danger. After this experience, I want to continue taking surfing lessons. Highly recommended!”

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2.Surf Lessons for All Levels

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 191 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Meet the Madeira Calhau Surf School team outside Vila Bela in Porto da Cruz for a two-hour lesson within a three-hour experience. Instructors such as Jonathan, Rodolfo, Augusto, and Milton teach beginners through advanced surfers in groups of no more than five, with boards, wetsuits, safety guidance, insurance, and free photos included.

“Jonathan was a great instructor. He provided a great insight before going and explained it very well. In the water him and Milton were really patient and pointed out how do to better. All in all a great experience!”

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3.Surfing Lessons in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

Meet at Madeira Surf Center in São Vicente at 9:30 am for a two-hour English-language lesson. You’ll learn wetsuit basics, surf safety, paddling, wave catching, the take-off, standing up, and post-surf stretching, with equipment included and groups limited to six.

“Very thankful for our instructor for providing first time surfers support and guidance. Waves were big but overall experience was amazing! Highly recommend!”

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4.Madeira Surfing Lessons – Aroundfreedom Surf School

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $72Best value

Aroundfreedom Surf School teaches beginners and improving surfers at Madeira beaches chosen for current conditions. Roberto, Francisco, and their team combine a short beach lesson with 90 minutes in the water, using supplied boards, 3/2mm wetsuits, leashes, and insurance. Pickups from Funchal, Caniço, and Machico cost extra.

“Awesome experience, definitely recommend. They were very friendly and much more teaching and possibilities than the other schools around. They have great tips and assistance that will get you wanting to keep surfing!”

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5.surf lesson at Porto da Cruz

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 67 reviews · 2 hours · from $76

Meet your certified English- or Portuguese-speaking instructor at Porto da Cruz or Machico, depending on the sea. You’ll get a wetsuit, board, leash, and two-hour beginner lesson, with instructors such as Antonio and Giges praised for patient, clear coaching.

“Die Aktivität war okay. Leider wurde in der früh die Entscheidung getroffen, vom Strand mit Wellen zum Strand ohne Wellen zu wechseln. Als Begründung wurde die starke Strömung angeführt. Jedoch war hier der Hintergrund, dass es durch die Strömung wohl zu anstrengend gewesen wäre, den Unterricht durchzuführen. Lebensgefährdende Gründe wurden nicht angeführt. Surfen ohne Wellen macht nunmal keinen Spaß.”

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6.Surf lesson in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 55 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

Meet your instructors in Funchal or Porto da Cruz for a four-hour surf lesson on Madeira’s dramatic Atlantic coast. You’ll receive a warm-up, equipment, and 1.5 to 2 hours in the water. English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Polish are spoken, and instructors such as Jonny and Kyah may be part of the team.

“Amazing expierience and fantastic instructors we had a direct pickup from our place to go surfing which is not a common thing. Definately worth the money!!”

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7.Surfing Experience for all

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $76

Spend 1.5 hours learning to surf with Madeira Surf Center in Seixal or São Vicente. Ruben and his team provide a softboard, wetsuit, safety briefing, land practice, and patient coaching in English or Portuguese. Choose a private, couple, family, or small-group lesson.

“Die Wellen hätten besser sein können, aber dafür kann ja niemand was.”

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8.Madeira Surf Classes in Portugal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $84

Spend about three hours learning to surf with Calhau Surf School, including a two-hour water lesson. Your beach may be Machico or Porto da Cruz, based on tide and waves. Instructors such as Filipe, Augusto, Jonathan, and Orlando adjust coaching to your level, with boards, wetsuits, insurance, and photos supplied.

“It was my first experience with surfing. I highly recommend it — the instructors help with everything, explain things clearly, and stay with you in the water for the full two hours. A great experience.”

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9.Efoil Surf Board Lesson in Calheta Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $210

At Calheta Beach, Rodrigo teaches you to ride an electric hydrofoil board while Marta handles equipment and forms. The private one-hour lesson includes a wetsuit, helmet, impact vest, shoes, board, and remote. You may be gliding above the water before the session ends.

“I am very pleased that I was able to ride the e foil in the Atlantic Ocean and the weather was good. The ocean was not very rough. It was very educational.”

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10.Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours · from $82

Meet at the Dom Pedro Madeira Hotel swimming pools, then head to the beach for a two-hour surf lesson with a coach for up to six people. You will use a softboard, wetsuit, and safety gear while learning ocean awareness, paddling, and the pop-up technique in English, French, or Portuguese.

“The instructor was so nice!! He helped everyone catch waves. I had a wonderful time :))”

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11.Efoil Surf Board Lesson in Calheta Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour · from $206

At Calheta Beach, Sea4FunMadeira teaches you to ride an electric hydrofoil board above the water. Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French instruction is available. Rodrigo has earned praise for clear, patient coaching. The one-hour lesson includes all equipment and suits riders up to 100 kg.

“The e-foul lesson was superb. Communications were excellent right from the initial booking, and clear instruction provided on the day for the meeting point. The activity was absolutely fantastic, even in the worse possible conditions for it, our instructor was patient and helpful and very encouraging. Would highly recommend this activity”

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