Updated on 17 October 2025
Where can you go when your post-GCSE teens need a surfing break? Sagres, Portugal, turned out to be the perfect mix of surf, independence, and sunshine – for them and for us.
After months of revision and exams, three 16 year-old students swapped study for surfboards and headed to Sagres, Portugal – with one adult on the ground to oversee their antics. Ten days of endless waves, sunrise and sunset strike missions, and supermarket snack runs, gave them a first taste of independent surf travel – safe, sunny, and just the right side of wild.
Why Sagres for a teen surf trip?
As a parent, I’ve loved Portugal as a surfing destination since my kids were knee-highs. Easy to get to, it offers consistent swells, rugged beaches with waves for every level, warmer water than the UK, and plenty of surf schools if you need them. Spring and autumn swells pack power, while summer beckons beginners. But there’s always somewhere working in this land of plenty – and a pastel de nata waiting to refuel between sessions.
So when we were deciding where to give a trio of teens their first taste of independent surf travel, the laidback little town of Sagres came up trumps. They could wander barefoot to shops, beaches and nearby surf breaks, while I was there to rouse them for dawn patrols, drive them down bumpy tracks to out-of-town breaks, and share sunset sessions where they inevitably got the lion’s share of the waves.
“What started as a simple post-exam getaway quickly turned into an adventure of independence, laughter and plenty of wipeouts. From sunrise surf checks in flip-flops to dreamy sunset surf sessions, Sagres gave us more than just a holiday – it gave us memories we’ll be talking about long after school feels like a distant memory.” Oli Lawrence.
Freedom for the teens, peace of mind for the parents – Sagres nailed it. Here’s the story from both sides.
Sagres surf spots
Teen POV:
Sagres is basically a surfer’s playground – there’s something for everyone, whether you’re just figuring out how to pop-up or already pulling off decent manoeuvres. The town beaches – Mareta, Tonel and Beliche – serve up everything from clean, rolling waves to absolute monsters that test how much paddling power you’ve got.
And then there are the hidden gems. If you drive past Cabo de São Vicente, the dramatic lighthouse at the ‘end of the world’, you’ll find Praia do Telheiro and Ponta Ruiva. The latter was our personal favourite, with breathtaking scenery, a sketchy track down to the car park, and three peaks spread across a horseshoe bay – the whole place feel like a natural amphitheatre for surfing. The cliffs there shelter the breaks perfectly, so even when the wind was howling elsewhere, we rocked up to near-glassy waves.
Parent POV:
That’s the beauty of Sagres: within a 10-20 minute drive you can always find a break that’s working. Some spots are harder to get to and take some off-roading – but are 100% worth it.
Surf schools, rental shops and local guides mean even families new to the area can slot straight in.
Why Sagres works for families with teens
Togetherness: sunset surfs, shared meals, and coastal hikes where everyone slows to the Sagres pace
Independence: teens can walk into town, surf safely, and feel free without the sprawl of a big city.
Adventure: wild beaches, dramatic cliffs, lighthouse walks, and those off-road tracks to hidden waves.
Teen POV:
The town is small, chilled, and full of character – the kind of place where you instantly feel at home. No malls, no fast-food chains – just cafés serving pasteis de nata, surf shops stacked with boards, and bars and restaurants buzzing with locals and visitors.
As hungry teen surfers, fuelling up was a cinch. We hit the supermarket for crisps, salsa and beverages, and treated ourselves in local eateries including an Argentinian grill loaded with ribs and fresh fish, to a healthy café serving heavenly smoothie bowls.
And the best bit? Everything’s walkable – waves, ice creams, harbour strolls, cliff sunsets – all in flip-flops. For three teenagers fresh out of exams, it was freedom in its purest form.
Parent POV:
As a parent, I loved the walkability. Teens could drift around safely, while I joined them for dinner or let them peel off to grab snacks and make memories of their own. It’s relaxed, authentic, and unfussy.
The sweet spot between freedom and family
Teens get their independence. Parents get peace of mind. Everyone gets surf.
Spring and autumn are the golden seasons in Portugal: warm seas, fewer crowds, and cheaper flights. Whether it’s a post-GCSE escape or simply a family surf trip with a dose of freedom, Sagres hits that sweet spot between independence and connection.
Ready to take a break to Portugal with the teens? Check out our Family Surf Guide to Portugal for more inspiration and places to stay.
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