Surf lessons in Madeira: which course should you book?
Updated October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
The short answer: For holidaymakers without their own vehicle, we recommend the Group surfing course with pickup in Funchal: Four hours, pickup in Funchal and selection of suitable surfing beaches with a local expert costs €80. The surfing course for all levels is three hours and €70 and is the balanced alternative for beginners and more experienced surfers. In Porto da Cruz you get the shortest session on volcanic black sand beaches with the Surfing course in Porto da Cruz for €65. The Group surfing lessons for beginners and advanced surfers also lasts four hours, costs €75 and is aimed specifically at beginners and advanced surfers who are looking for a group experience.
Four surf courses in comparison
| Course | Duration | From price | Rating | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group surfing course with pickup in Funchal | 4 hours | 80 € | 4.7 (319) | Pick up in Funchal and changing suitable surfing beaches |
| Surfing course for all levels | 3 hours | 70 € | 4.7 (264) | first attempt or improvement at any level |
| Surfing course in Porto da Cruz | 2 hours | 65 € | 4.9 (85) | short session on Porto da Cruz’s black sand beaches |
| Group surfing lessons for beginners and advanced surfers | 4 hours | 75 € | 4.8 (84) | Beginners and advanced users who enjoy being in a group |
With pickup from Funchal
The four-hour group course takes you to Funchal and visits suitable surfing beaches on Madeira with a local expert. This means that the journey is part of the solution, not an additional organizational task. Both beginners and surfers who want to improve their skills are catered for. The highest price in comparison not only pays for lesson time, but also pickup and local beach selection.
View dates and prices for the surf course with pickup
Three hours for each level
The course for all levels comes from a school that describes itself as the first surf school on the island. Her lessons are aimed at people who want to get on the board for the first time as well as those who want to improve their surfing. There are three hours between the compact Porto da Cruz course and the two four-hour offers. Compared to the Funchal option, you save ten euros, but this offer does not mention pick-up.
View dates and prices for the course for all levels
The short option in Porto da Cruz
Surrounded by volcanic black sand beaches, Porto da Cruz is specifically highlighted as a place to learn. The two-hour course is the cheapest at €65 and the highest rated with 4.9 stars from 85 reviews. Its strength is the concrete location and the compact duration; However, if you need an included pick-up from Funchal, you will only find this service with the first offer.
View dates and prices for the course in Porto da Cruz
Four hours as a social group experience
The additional four-hour surfing lesson invites you to bring friends with you and get to know new people in a group. It is designed for beginners and advanced users. At €75, the price is between the three-hour course and the Funchal tour with pick-up. Book it if the communal nature is important to you; Porto da Cruz speaks more clearly for an explicitly named beach.
View dates and prices for the four-hour group lessons
For whom which course is not ideal
Picking up from Funchal is of little use if you already live in Porto da Cruz and want to surf there. Two hours in Porto da Cruz can seem short if you want to reserve half a day for travel, beach selection and lessons. The three-hour course offers the middle ground, while the other four-hour course is primarily focused on group and shared experience. None of the abstracts mention private lessons; You should therefore read all four as social course formats.
Our recommendation
For most guests in Funchal: the Group surfing course with pickup in Funchal, because pickup, local expert and selection of the best surfing beaches remove the biggest organizational hurdle. Self-drivers with little time choose the Surfing course in Porto da Cruz. If three hours is enough and you want your level to remain open, surfing price for all levels is the better price-time ratio.
