8 days of Art and Surf Retreat in the Azores

Location icon
Ribeira Seca, Ribeira Grande, Portugal
Users icon
Up to 16 in group
Date
November 8 - 15, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • 7-night all-inclusive stay in Ribeira Grande, the Azores’ surf capital
  • Oil painting workshops led by professional artist Célia Rakotondrainy
  • Surf lessons with certified local instructors (all levels welcome)
  • Guided island tours with Amandine Marty Pinto, certified guide & cultural expert
  • Farewell BBQ dinner at a panoramic viewpoint
  • All meals included (local, seasonal, vegetarian options available)
  • Airport transfers + all ground transportation covered
  • Small group setting (max. 16 participants) for an intimate experience
  • Time to explore hot springs, volcanic landscapes, and hidden viewpoints
  • Extra free time to relax, surf more, or simply breathe in island life

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

Art × Surf Retreat in São Miguel Island, Azores

November 8–15, 2025 · 7 nights

A unique retreat where creativity meets the ocean.

Paint at high tide, surf at low tide, and let the volcanic landscapes of São Miguel inspire you every step of the way. It is not about doing more, it is about finding a rhythm: painting at high tide, surfing at low tide, letting the island guide you. From the moment you arrive, everything is taken care of—meals, transfers, workshops, surf, and tours—so you can truly let go.

This is precious time just for you: to experiment, to adventure lightly, to breathe, and to realign. A pause where creativity and the ocean meet, and where you finally have space to reconnect with yourself. This retreat is your chance to leave daily worries behind and finally give yourself time:

- Time to create and learn painting alongside a professional artist with international exhibitions
- Time to play in the ocean
- Time to slow down, realign, and recharge
- Time to explore hidden gems with a certified local guide who knows the island like few others
- It is more than a holiday—it is a pause, designed for you.

This all-inclusive experience blends:

- Oil painting workshops
- Surf sessions with certified instructors from our partner school
- Guided tours of hidden viewpoints and hot springs
- Seasonal meals with vegetarian options
- Stay in a cozy eco-lodge with pool and garden

With only 16 spots available, this intimate retreat is designed for those seeking not just a trip, but a transformation: time to recharge, create, and connect with nature’s rhythm.

This retreat is open to all levels, whether in art or surfing.

Whether you have never picked up a paintbrush or a surfboard, or you are looking to hone your skills, it is for anyone who wants to grow creatively while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of island life.

Minimum age required: 18 years

THE PAINTING STUDIO

4 × 3-hour classes · Beginners to advanced intermediates · All materials provided

These four sessions will introduce you to, or deepen your knowledge of, oil painting.

The goal is to provide you with the essential tools you need to continue exploring this medium.

SURF LESSONS

Two lessons are included in the stay:

Wetsuits and boards provided
Beach transfer included
Personalized advice
Video analyses available on request
Sessions tailored to your experience

Levels:

Beginner – First steps on the board, safety, and technique basics
Intermediate – Perfect your technique, read the waves
Advanced – Discover the best spots on the coast to enjoy the best swells
Outside of classes, boards and wetsuits are available at the lodge for your free sessions.

Schedule

Morning : Painting class (3 hours)

Lunch : Picnic or meal at the lodge

Afternoon : Guided tour of the island or surfing lesson

Diner : Shared dinner and group relaxation at the lodge

Some days include free time to balance your stay with your personal interests (with many options such as yoga classes, additional surf sessions or free surfing, mountain biking, surfskating and also visits to thermal baths).
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Mainty Studio, Ribeira Seca, Ribeira Grande, Portugal

Directions

✈️ Nearest Airport

João Paulo II Airport (PDL), Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal

This is the island’s main international airport, located about 20 minutes from Ribeira Grande.

🌍 Flight Connections

Direct international flights from major European cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Brussels, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Barcelona and more.
Direct connections from Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Boston, Seattle

Multiple daily flights from Lisbon (2h30) and Porto (2h30) make connections easy if you’re flying in from further abroad.

🚐 Transfers

Roundtrip airport transfers are included in your retreat package.

Once you land, simply relax — our team will welcome you at the airport and bring you directly to the lodge.

🚗 If You Prefer to Drive

Car rentals are available at Ponta Delgada Airport. Ribeira Grande is a 20-minute drive via the main highway.

Accommodation

Stylish Accommodations: Eco Surflodge Azores in Ribeira Grande offers a lodge with a sun terrace, garden, and year-round outdoor pool. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and private bathrooms with views of the garden or courtyard. Comfortable Amenities: The property features a lounge, a fireplace, a fitness room, and cozy, comfortable rooms. Additional amenities include a terrace, free private parking on site, and a breakfast buffet with local specialties, hot dishes, juices, cheese, and fruit. Prime Location: Located 21 km from João Paulo II Airport, the lodge is a 17-minute walk from Praia do Monte Verde and a 10-minute walk from Santa Barbara Beach. Nearby attractions include Lagoa do Congro, Caldeira Velha, and Pico do Ferro. The property is located on the north coast and captivates with its beautiful views of the lush volcanic landscape. The house features an open kitchen where the chefs prepare a menu of both local and international cuisine. Homemade pizza nights are also held, as well as a traditional barbecue at a nearby viewpoint. In addition to a large living room and relaxation area, the spacious outdoor area awaits guests with a swimming pool, yoga pavilion, and skateboarding area. Whether for sunbathing, yoga, relaxing, or sheltering from the rain, there's always a place to gather comfortably together.

Accommodation
Standard Room (price per person)
Accommodation
Comfort Room (price per person)
Accommodation
Dormitory Room (price per person)

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The stay takes place at Surfin Azores, a welcoming eco-lodge in Ribeira Grande, the Azorean surfing capital located on the north coast of São Miguel Island. A variety of rooms are available to meet each guest's specific needs. Nearby are the beaches of Areal de Santa Bárbara and Monte Verde. This lodge features a spacious dining and living area where guests can relax, play, and spend unforgettable evenings together. This is also where breakfast and sometimes dinner are served.

Meals

Menu

Menu Types

All meals are made with local, seasonal products and include vegetarian options. We will carefully take note of everyone’s intolerances and allergies in order to prepare accordingly.

What's Included

  • it's an all inclusive week from meals to ground and airport transfers we take care of you from the moment you land on the island.
  • 4 workshops of 3 hours of painting
  • 2 classes of surf
  • 3 guided excursions in epic locations

What's Not Included

  • Roundtrip airfare to the Azores
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Arrival dinner
  • Optional activities not listed in the main package (e.g., yoga, thermal bath visits, surfskating)
  • Additional personal expenses or snacks

Customer Reviews

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