Bahia Surf Camp

I spent five days at Bahia Surf Camp and really didn't want to leave. The room and bathroom had everything I needed, and the Wi-Fi worked really well. It's a lovely, peaceful place surrounded by nature, near both the beach and a lake. Everyone was welcoming, including the guests, the Bahia Surf team, and the cute animals around the property. Rita made me delicious vegan meals, with something different every day. I also really enjoyed the surf lessons: the instructors were patient, calm, funny, and happy to explain things more than once. Gabrielle helped with information, check-in, check-out, and lots more. I'd definitely recommend it.

In two weeks I went from starting out on a longboard to feeling confident on a 6’6” board, thanks to the patient instructors who made the lessons fun and clearly knew their stuff. The camp has a friendly, family-like feel from the first day, and it's an easy walk to the beach. The setting is beautiful, and the food was great too. A welcoming place for beginners or anyone after a relaxed, supportive surf stay. I highly recommend it.

There are no snack options outside meal times, and no shops close by, though the meals themselves were excellent. The lovely shared areas, lush greenery, and beautiful private beach make the setting especially inviting. My room was comfortable, but a mosquito net around the bed would have helped, since there were quite a lot of mosquitoes. The bathroom could also use an update and some shelves. I found communication about surf classes and activities a bit unclear and informal. The two staff members we dealt with weren't especially friendly, and some situations felt unprofessional. Check-out seemed rushed, and although I was told the receipt would arrive by email, it never did. Staff also had to notify security at the gated neighborhood entrance whenever we booked a taxi or Uber. A few times they forgot, leading to long delays and even cancellations. Even with those issues, I'd still recommend the camp for its beautiful location and relaxing atmosphere. Staff professionalism and communication could be better.

The food was excellent, the staff were very friendly, and the property itself is beautiful. But the surf lessons let me down badly. The instruction promised on the website wasn't what I got; it felt more like surfing with friends than getting proper lessons. It's a shame, but I can't recommend the camp because of that.