Stay at THe San Sebastian Surf House: Your Surf Camp in Spain
Our packages include dorm-style accommodation at the Stoke Surf Camp San Sebastián, intro surf lessons in Zarautz (board and wetsuit included), daily surf guiding, daily yoga classes, and three healthy and hearty meals every day prepared by our in-house chefs. You’ll learn from experienced surf instructors, be driven to the local beach breaks, practise yoga, and party at the house and in San Sebastian, all alongside the awesome Stoke crew and your new friends from all over the world.
This is a unique surf camp experience. Come and stay in our huge converted farmhouse – where we sleep in real beds and use real bathrooms, not campsite facilities – in the village of Aia, in the hills behind San Sebastian. There are views across the valley, spanning across farms and forests, all the way down to the ocean. From the backyard of the house paths wind their way up the mountain and through the Pagoeta Nature Reserve. From the front our vans take you on a short drive to Zarautz surf beach every day and in the evenings you can head into Aia or Zarautz, or visit San Sebastian to explore the streets and discover the best the Basque country has to offer.
On the beach our fun and friendly surf guides are there to make sure whatever your level of surfing you’re having the best session possible and are always improving. When the session is done we have lunch on the beach, play beach games, or just chill out under the sun. Back at the house we do guided yoga outside, practice our surf form on land with our new surfskate boards, tell stories around the fire pit, learn Spanish in the local bars or take advantage of our in-house open beer, sangria and sidra bar (for only €15 extra per day).
Your new surf family is made up of open-minded travellers from all over the world, and you’ll love sharing stories and making new best friends. The Stoke Surf Camp San Sebastián caters for everybody, from the ultra chilled to the party animals, die-hard surfers and committed sunbakers alike. We’ve been known to throw some pretty legendary house parties too… powered by long nights of beer, sangria, traditional basque cider and plenty of dancing.
The Stoke Surf House San Sebastián
The Stoke Surf House San Sebastián offers a unique (yet gentle on the wallet) surfing experience in the Basque country. The accommodation is in dorms, ranging from five to 26 people. You won’t only surf all day, but you’ll also eat well, meet new people, explore the local area, and enjoy the house, the location and the people you’re with.
San Sebastian is one of those places that’s been touched by magic. That’s why the Stoke Surf House’s doors are open to surfers (or non-surfers) of all levels and travellers from far and wide, to share this stunning place with the world! Cheap accommodation in San Sebastian is hard to come by, but our little slice of paradise, tucked away in the Basque hills, is perfectly suited for travellers on all kinds of budget, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included. You’ll be starting your day right with a delicious chef-prepared meal before our surf guides take you to Zarautz beach break. Everyone’s welcome, from beginners to the most accomplished surf stars, our surf guides are fun, friendly and happy to help. If you’ve never surfed before, you’ll be standing in no time, and for those more experienced, our guides will show you where to get the best waves in any conditions that the North Atlantic throws at us. After you’ve surfed to your heart’s content it’s a relaxed lunch followed by another surf, exploring the Basque country…or maybe the first beer of the day!
There’s a bunch of activities on offer, from horseriding and paragliding, to pintxo tours through the Michelin-starred streets of San Sebastian for the foodies. Whatever happens, with more bars per square metre than anywhere else in the universe, it’s bound to end in a massive party, hopping from one bar to another or dancing until the sun comes up over La Concha beach. Good thing surfing is the perfect hangover cure, so we can cure our spinning heads every morning and do it all again.
Our Surf House is near Zarautz: The best place to surf in San Sebastian
Whilst surfing Zurriola in San Sebastian can be a super fun time, the real magic happens just along the coast in Zarautz – less people, and vastly superior waves, for beginners and shredders alike.
Summertime in Zarautz offers surfers with clean, fun waves in the 1-3ft range. Zarautz is an easy going beach break in summer with plenty of opportunities for new surfers to find their grip on the slow rolling waves. There’s always a few banks scattered along the 2.5km stretch, offering intermediate and highly experienced surfers fun running lefts and rights with some nice sections to perform manoeuvres. Winds are generally light, offshore in the mornings and from the NW during the day, allowing a nice organised lineup. During the summer there will be a few bigger swells that come through producing nice rippable walls on the mid to high tide.
SUP in the basque country
SUP? WhatsSup you might say… Oh God… oh, sorry… sorry, let’s start this again.
Seriously, if you don’t have a clue what SUP stands for, allow us to explain. SUP; Stand Up Paddle-boarding. Paddling. On a board. Whilst standing up.
Sure, our souls will forever and always be saluting the sun-soaked sermons of the surf gods, but we’d be a bunch of idiots to ignore what’s becoming the fastest growing water sport in the world. What’s more, is that you don’t have to be a slave to the waves to enjoy a good SUP session. Even when the swell is as flat as a pancake, you can take a SUP along the coast, inland and upstream, or, well, basically anywhere you like.
It’s particularly handy getting out to our local cliff jumps in Playa Zarautz, which can be a bit of a mission to swim out to. Or for those less inclined to jump from high places, a SUP board is also infinitely easier to balance a can of beer on, as you traverse the Basque Coastline without a care in the world.*
*Stoke Travel does not condone drink-paddling. Always ensure that you are alternating between one and the other.
So what’s the difference between booking a surf package and a SUP package?
Not a whole lot really – you’ll still be spending your days and nights kicking it with the crew at the Stoke House, hiking, practising yoga, and of course, having a few cold ones at days end. The only difference is that the thing that you’re trying to stand up on in the middle of the ocean is a little bit larger, a little more buoyant, and little bit more difficult to fall off.
San Sebastian Surf Camp for Groups
The San Sebastian Surf House is perfect for groups, whether you’re just a big bunch of pals, a sporting team, or a university surfing society. We can organise a bespoke tour for your group, making sure we’re doing the things that you’re interested in – whether that be more surfing, even more parties, or some other activities in the Basque Country. NOTE: we do fill up fast, so make sure you contact us sooner rather than later to organise your group trip.
Things we can add to your group Surf Camp booking (minimum 5 people)
Surf & Spanish Add On
Make the next step from tourist to traveller – take a week long Spanish course (along with surfing, of course) and pick-up the lingo of the second-most spoken language in the world. But be aware – this ain’t your average language course. If it’s text books, test papers and exams that you’re after, this course probably isn’t for you. But if you’re up for picking up phrases to get you from A to B, learning about Spanish culture, making typical Spanish eats and maybe learning how to get a snog in the local bar, then this package is right up your alley. Contact us to organise!
The packages includes:
- one hour daily Spanish lessons across various locations (the beach, the bar, the Stoke surf house) so that you can test out your Spanish on actual locals,
- a paella cooking class (so you can wow ya folks with how cultured you are, next time they’re round for dinner), and
- a San Sebastián Old Town field trip, to test out your new Spanish skills at the pintxos bars across town. Available to be added on to any of our Ultimate packages (a week or more).
Add-on cost: €90 per week
keep these good vibes rolling at Bilbao BBK live
This year we’re revisiting one of our favourite events in the Basque region’s calendar – Bilbao BBK Live. Taking place from July 11th – July 13th, with an international lineup of over 60 acts, BBK Live is just a stone’s throw away from our San Sebastian Surf House. `Check out our inclusive packages here, and we’ll even provide you with the twin-share tent, camping mats, and sleeping bag for a deposit. Tie in a trip to our San Fermin campsite too and run with the bulls and enjoy our own mini-festival there too!
Stoke Travel Passport Holders
Holders may book San Sebastian Camp with 2 or more nights from their Stoke Travel Passport. *Subject to €10 nightly surcharge. Unsure what the Stoke Travel Passport is? Check it out here! Your universe will change.
Location
Stoke Surf House
Address: Arrutiegia Auzoa, 26,
Aia, Gipuzkoa
43.236300 -2.154170
We provide free transfers from SAN PELAIO station in Zarautz at 9:00am, 1:00 pm and 7:00pm. Meet us at your allocated time, at the roundabout next to San Pelaio train station, Zarautz.
It’s important to let us know which one you’d like to jump on ahead of time! Make sure to add on a transfer when booking. If you haven’t booked one yet please make sure you do so prior to your arrival. If you are unable to make the last 7pm free transfer, or would like a pick up outside of the free pick up times, please call or email us at surf@stoketravel.com to arrange to pick up for an extra charge.
Email: surf@stoketravel.com
Phone: +34 661 713 683
How to get there
Check GoEuro for the best deals on flights, buses and trains.
If you fly to Bilbao:
Buses leave hourly from Bilbao Airport to Zarautz (San Pelaio bus station). Or you can catch the Euskotren to San Pelaio Station in Zarautz and jump on your pre-arranged pick up from there!
If you fly into Biarritz:
The best way to get to Surf House from Biarritz International Airport is to take a French SNCF train to Hendaye, change to the nearby Euskotren station (located just outside the SNCF station) and take a Euskotren to San Pelaio, Zarautz for your pickup. Each train ride is between 30-40 minutes, with the total train trip costing less than €10.
If you fly into San Sebastián:
The best way to get to camp from San Sebastian airport is to take bus E21 or E23 bus from the airport to San Sebastian which run about every 30 minutes. Get off at the Amara bus stop. From here cross the road and jump on the Euskotren. Head to San Pelaio train station and make sure you let us know when to come and collect you from Zarautz!
By Train:
RENFE TRAIN – The train station in the centre of San Sebastián the “Estación del Norte”, offers connections to numerous Spanish cities including Madrid and Barcelona, and to international destinations such as Paris and Lisbon. if you arrive by RENFE Train, jump on the EUSKOTREN to San Pelaio Station for pre arranged pickup from there.
EUSKOTREN – A train with connections to Bilbao and cities along the Basque Coast, such as Zarautz. This service also links to Hendaye (France) and the SNCF, French rail service, with Lasarte passing through Donostia. You can catch this train to San Pelaio, Zarautz from Bilbao.
By Bus:
If you arrive by bus in San Sebastian, simply walk across the road from the bus station to the EUSKOTREN and jump on a train in the direction of Bilbao to San Pelaio Train station in Zarautz for your pre-arranged pickup.