Mexico is a surfer’s paradise. With sunny skies, crystal blue waters, and some stunning coastlines, it doesn’t get much better.
Whether you’re a surfing pro, a weekend amateur, or a beginner surfer, there’s plenty of waves for everyone, and with so many surf camps across the country, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation and coaching.
You’ll find surf camps in every top surf spot across the globe, and with idyllic beaches, world-class wave peaks, five-star accommodation, and highly qualified instructors, they’re a sought-after vacation spot for surfers of all abilities.
Since Mexico is such a popular surf spot, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to booking that long-awaited ultimate surf holiday.
Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down to a list of our favorites, to hopefully give you a better idea of what each camp offers, their facilities, and their location, meaning all you need to do is pick which one is right for you and hop on that plane over to Mexico!
Cabo Surf Retreat
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Located in San Jose del Cabo, you’ll find Cabo Surf Retreat next to the beach town of Cabo San Lucas. This surf camp is specifically designed to help beginners and intermediate surfers get on their feet in the water and promises to improve your skills throughout your stay.
You’re guaranteed to make new friends and memories at Cabo Surf Retreat and the warm, welcoming atmosphere will ensure you feel comfortable throughout your stay. The retreat offers both 3 and 7-day surf camps where each day you will learn basic surf skills through 90-minute sessions in the water.
The surf coaches will plan your day according to the ocean conditions and whilst you’re not spending your time in the waves, you are also able to go on a guided art walk of the Historic Centro San Jose. Moreover, the camp is within walking distance of the town filled with shops, restaurants, and bars as well as the beautiful sandy beach where you can relax and top up that tan.
You will find yourself staying in dorm-style accommodation in Cabo Surf Retreat, making it easier to find new lifelong friends and you’ll be sure to start the day right by fueling your day properly with the breakfast that is included in your stay.
All surf gear is included too, so no need to stress about packing your own and fitting it in your luggage allowance. If you’re looking to improve your surf skills, meet people from around the world be taken care of by some of the most hospitable and accommodating staff in Mexico and have an all-around authentic Mexican beach experience, look no further than Cabo Surf Retreat.
Mita Surf House
Emilano Zapata 151, Punta de Mita 63734
Located in Punta Mita on the Nayarit Peninsula near Puerto Vallarta, Mita Surf House offers a range of different surf options in several local breaks, for every level of surfer, right from beginners to the most advanced. Mita Surf House is also great if you’re a digital nomad but are keen to catch those waves in between online video calls and meetings.
You can stay at Mita Surf House for as little as 4 days, up to 30 days, so if you’re looking to get settled for a while and make the most of the water, this could be the camp for you. As it’s popular with remote workers, it does not have a huge party atmosphere which you might find at other surf camps with quicker turnaround times.
The camp offers daily surf lessons for all abilities, yet if you are a more advanced surfer, you are also welcome to rent a car and surf the waves independently. If you do opt for lessons, however, rest assured the camp offers transportation directly to the waves as well as all the rental gear you will need.
The accommodation is warm and cozy, set in an apartment with a kitchen and dining area, an outdoor lounge area, and a lap pool. A delicious and nutritious breakfast is also provided each day, fueling you for a long day on the waves. The friendly and helpful staff at Mita Surf House are more than happy to point out the best waves for your ability and which waves work best under what conditions.
The staff also put your safety first and ensure you are well educated on how to get in and out of a wave spot safely, as well as provide you with local knowledge about the town so you can get out and about to explore.
Finally, the lineup on the beach is perfect for longboard riders, as you will only find a few people on the waves, which are also some of the longest and smoothest waves in Mexico.
WildMex Surf and Adventure
Punta Mita and Sayulita, Nayarit
With many different surf camps based in the beautiful Sayulita and Punta Mita, WildMex Surf and Adventure have surf packages to suit everyone, whether you’ve never stepped foot on a board before or whether you’ve been riding the waves since you were little.
With waves, all the year-round, and a dozen different surf breaks to choose from, there’s plenty of room for everyone on the water, and with such high-quality equipment included in your stay, along with qualified staff to support and teach you all they know, you’re guaranteed to have an enjoyable and unforgettable surf experience.
The mellow waves in the various breaks around Sayulita are great for learning on whereas the long green waves are perfect for longboarders, as well as more advanced surfers searching to improve their technique.
The camps assign you to an instructor, who will stay with you throughout the week. This ensures you benefit from continuous feedback from someone who understands your surf style completely. Your instructors can pick the best surf break to suit your needs depending on that day’s conditions.
You’ll receive 3-4 hour surf lessons each day to allow for progressive learning and the ratio of surfer to instructor is based on age to enhance personal attention and surf experience.
When you’re not surfing, feel free to head on into Sayulita for a wander around or relax in the quiet areas of Punta Mita. The camps also offer a range of different options for every budget, making it as affordable as possible and giving every surfer a chance to have surf lessons in the surfer’s paradise that is Nayarit.
The fee also includes gratuity to instructors, lodging throughout your stay, shuttles and rentals on non-camp days, all of your meals, and even bike rentals, so you’re covered for everything!
B Surfer Surf School
Av. Benito Juarez Esq. Paraiso s/n, La Punta de Zicatela, 70934 Puerto Escondido
Located in Puerto Escondido, B Surfer is one of the most beautiful surf camps in the country. Surrounded by huge coconut palms and mango trees, you’ll be learning to surf in a tropical Mexican paradise. The surf lessons they offer are for all abilities and with their flex schedule, you get to choose when you hit the waves.
The lessons are held both in the morning between 8 am and 12 pm, as well as in the afternoon and they even provide a sunset session for those who want to spend the day exploring the area instead.
Within their schedule, however, they still offer the best surfing conditions whenever you decide to book your lesson and avoid the hot midday hours.
A unique aspect of the surf school is the theory course they also provide. You will have the opportunity to learn the basics of surfing, pop-up techniques, surfing etiquette, paddling techniques, how to handle wipeouts, and much more. The theoretical side of surfing allows you to gain a more profound understanding of the sport and the theory textbook is on hand throughout your stay.
The certified multi-language instructors, who can provide lessons in Spanish, English, or Russian, go through ‘first aid and water safety’ courses and have many years of experience behind them to give you the best experience possible and improve your surf skills significantly by the end of your stay.
You’ll even have a photo coach session if your course includes 5 or more surf lessons. This means during your lessons, pictures of your waves will be shot by a photographer for you to analyze and allow you to see your mistakes, helping you identify what needs to be improved.
This also means that you’ll get the best shots of the waves you rode perfectly, so you’ll be able to take them home and show all your friends your new skills!
The accommodation in the villa comes with WiFi, air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, and a pool, and kids under 12 stay free, so if you’re after a family-friendly resort that tailors to your individual surfing needs and abilities, B Surfer Surf School is for you!
Surf Camp Chacahua Oaxaca National Park
National Reserve Lagunas de Chacahua
Located in Oaxaca National Park in Mexico, this surf camp adventure offers something for everyone. Their motto reads, “Learn to Surf, Enjoy the Paradise Beaches of Oaxaca and Help us to Protect our Marine Wildlife & Biodiversity”.
Running from March to November and offering 6 day surf breaks, Surf Camp Chacahua not only offers surfing lessons but a visit to the Crocodile Sanctuary, a hiking trip within the national park to watch the sunset, activities within their sea turtle conservation project, and plenty of free time to explore the beautiful beaches of Lagunas de Chacahua National Park.
Whilst taking surfing lessons, you’ll be taught by qualified experts in the sport, who will teach both the theory and practical side of surfing, as well as all the technical and safety aspects, allowing you to learn to surf in a safe and dynamic environment.
The teachers will accompany students at all times and as you begin to catch the smaller waves successfully, you will be able to level up slowly so that in the last few lessons you’ll be sure to be catching waves all by yourself. Lagunas de Chacahua National Park is the natural habitat of many species of crocodiles which are kept in a specialized sanctuary for study, rehabilitation, reintroduction to their natural habitat, and protection.
During your visit to the sanctuary, you’ll be able to observe and learn about the reptiles up close. Not only will you be up close with crocodiles, however, but you’ll also be able to participate in the conservation of sea turtle project.
Lynx Foundation carries out projects for the protection of wildlife species including the Sea Turtle Rescue Project, whereby working with communities, the surf camp has carried out the monitoring of various species, cleaning of nests, and environmental education.
Depending on the time of year your trip to the camp falls, you’ll be able to participate in these activities too. Finally, Lagunas de Chacahua National Park is home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in the whole of Oaxaca, potentially even in the world and so staying at the camp gives you an opportunity to explore these and rest and relax surrounded by nature and biodiversity.
The trip also includes lodging on the beach for a true tropical experience, as well as the transport to and from the airport so you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Corky Carroll’s Mexico Surf Adventure
50 meters east of Villas Canadiense, Guiones Beach, Nosara, Guanacaste Province 50206
Located in the Guanacaste Province, Corky Carroll’s Mexico Surf Adventure promises to give you an all-around Mexican surf adventure by offering private surf lessons with Corky Carroll himself, the first professional surfer and the United States Surfing Champion from 1966-70!
Corky is a three-time International Surfing Champion and has won over 100 surfing competitions since competing. Now, Corky and his wife own a beautiful home on the tropical beach of La Saladita, Mexico, and use it as a base for their surf adventure, teaching people how to surf and providing them with an experience of a lifetime.
The house is located 45 minutes north of Zihuatanejo and 35 minutes north of Ixtapa and lies along Mexico’s fertile coastline which is at the premier left-hand point breaks, providing some of the best waves in the world.
The home is perfect for both advanced surfers looking for a surf break, as well as romantic couples looking for a couple’s vacation.
Equipped with a swimming pool, television, internet, and offering massages, day trips to historical sites, and other activities in the area, Corky Carroll’s Mexico Surf Adventure offers it all.
The accommodation is made up of three rooms, two of which have king-sized beds and another with either a king-sized bed or two twin beds.
Bookings are available from one to six people per trip and included in the fee is all your lodging, all your food, and drink, personal surf lessons from Corky Carroll and pick up and drop off at the airport.
If you let them know of eating and drinking preferences, they’ll also be able to cater to you individually.
So why not take a trip yourself to visit Corky and his wife and hang out with an ultimate surf legend, whilst also receiving lessons from the mian man himself on some of the best waves in the world, and relax and unwind in a stunning and tranquil environment right by the beach.