Most people who've never done a surf camp before either pack too much — full suitcase, three pairs of jeans — or show up without a wetsuit because they assumed one would be provided. Neither is ideal. A week at a surf camp on Portugal's West Coast has a specific rhythm: in the water twice a day, sleeping well, eating together, repeat. What you carry into that week matters less than you think — but a few things matter a lot. This is the list that actually helps.

The wetsuit question — and what it decides

Portugal's West Coast water temperature runs 15–17°C through spring and autumn, dropping toward 14°C in the coldest winter months. A 3/2mm wetsuit is the standard for most of the year. For sessions in March, April, or October, a 3/2 with a good seal at the neck and wrists is enough for two or three hours in the water. If you run cold, a 4/3mm gives you more margin.

Boots and gloves depend on the month. In peak summer — July through August — water reaches around 19–20°C and you don't need either. Spring sessions are comfortable without boots, though early mornings on the West Coast can feel sharp. From November through February, 5mm boots and thin gloves are worth having.

Most surf camps include surfboards in the package — soft-tops and foam boards for beginners, progressing to harder boards as your level changes. Traveling with your own board adds airport fees and handling risk. For a week of coached surfing, the camp quiver is almost always adequate. Fins, leashes, and wax are generally covered. Bring personal wax if you have strong brand preferences.

What goes in the rest of the bag

Keep the clothes minimal. During the day you're in the water or drying off from it — board shorts, bikini, and a rashguard cover most of it. For evenings, pack two or three t-shirts, one light fleece for wind and cooler nights, and one slightly better outfit for any town dinner. Portugal's West Coast is not a dressing-up destination. One carry-on handles a week comfortably.

Beyond clothes: a quick-dry towel (some camps provide them, worth checking); reef-safe sunscreen at SPF50 minimum, because Atlantic light bounces off the water and burns faster than it looks; a rashguard if you're prone to irritation from extended wetsuit wear; and surf-specific lip balm with SPF if your lips crack. Sandals and a reusable water bottle round it out.

Leave the laptop if you can. Most surf camps in Portugal have reasonable Wi-Fi for the hour a day you'll actually want it. The rest of the time, the phone is more than enough.

What the camp already covers

A good surf camp handles more of the logistics than most people realise going in. Surfboards, leashes, and fins come with the week — the team will move you onto different boards as your level changes, which is often better than arriving with your own board at the wrong volume. Wetsuits are usually available to rent if you don't own one, though a personal suit is more comfortable.

Yoga mats, surfskate gear, and any additional activity equipment are typically provided. Meals, snacks, and water around sessions are included. Towels vary — some camps include them, some don't, which is why it's worth confirming before you pack a second one.

What you don't need: multiple pairs of shoes, a camera bag, or anything that requires checked luggage. The simpler you travel, the better the week goes. A carry-on and a small day pack is the right answer for a week on the West Coast.

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Portugal's West Coast is one of those places where the week expands once you're inside it — longer mornings, slower evenings, a different rhythm entirely. The bag you bring is a footnote to that. Get the wetsuit right, travel light, and let the camp cover the rest. The ocean doesn't care what you packed. It just cares that you showed up.

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