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Surf with Purpose
Surf, empower, and protect in Porto! Join a one-of-a-kind volunteer program in Portugal where you’ll ride the waves, teach inclusive surf lessons, and help preserve the country’s breathtaking coastline.
In Porto, Portugal, you assist local surf instructors running inclusive surf sessions for children and individuals with disabilities, helping prepare equipment, accompanying participants in the water, and encouraging them through each session. Occasionally you join beach clean-ups along the coastline. This program suits adults who can swim and are comfortable working outdoors; no previous surfing experience is required.
You can join for 1–12 weeks, with starts twice a month (sundays), next departure 20 Sep 2026. You live in a mixed or female dormitory at a centrally located hostel on the Douro River, with three meals a day included. Prices start at $1,433, deposit included. The program itself includes four surf lessons a week, so you build your own surfing skills while assisting the coaching sessions.
Your role on this program
- Assist professional surf instructors during daily lessons for children and individuals with disabilities
- Help prepare and organize surf equipment before and after lessons
- Accompany and encourage participants during their sessions in the water
- Support an inclusive, welcoming environment for all participants
- Join occasional beach clean-ups, collecting waste and sorting recyclables
- Take part in the program's own surf lessons to build your skills alongside the coaching work
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You assist the professional surf instructors and do not run lessons on your own or make coaching or safety-critical decisions; the instructors direct each session and supervise water safety. A criminal background check is required because the work involves children, and duties may vary with the placement's needs.
A typical day and week
After the orientation day, volunteers will be assigned a morning, afternoon or evening shift at the project placement and will work for approximately 4-5 hours per day depending on the schedule of the project.
Typical schedule of volunteers in Porto is as outlined below :-
Please note this schedule can vary depending on the schedule of each specific project. It might be a morning or afternoon shift depending on the specific tasks to be performed, the season, or different priorities that the non-profit might have during your volunteer program period.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 18
- Must be able to swim and be physically fit for outdoor, water-based work
- No prior surfing experience needed; lessons are adapted to your level
- Criminal background check issued within 12 months of the start date, required for work with children
- Travel and medical insurance, either your own policy or the one arranged through Volunteering Solutions
- Enthusiasm for working outdoors and supporting an inclusive sport environment
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The Porto placement runs inclusive surf sessions for children and individuals with disabilities, organized around professional surf instructors who lead the coaching. Volunteers work alongside these instructors rather than in place of them, helping with equipment, in-water support, and encouragement during sessions.
Because the work involves children, a criminal background check is required before placement, and instructors remain responsible for coaching decisions and water safety at all times. Your contribution is additional support in the water and on the beach, alongside occasional coastline clean-ups, within a program that rotates volunteers through an existing local structure rather than one you run yourself.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in PortugalCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $1,433 | |
| 2 weeks | $1,915 | |
| 3 weeks | $2,396 | |
| 4 weeks | $2,878 | |
| 5 weeks | $3,359 | |
| 6 weeks | $3,840 | |
| 7 weeks | $4,322 | |
| 8 weeks | $4,803 | |
| Each additional week | +$482 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Airport Pickup and Transfer to accommodation
- Introduction session and Placement Orientation
- Guided Porto City Center Walking Tour
- Accommodation at a dormitory at a centrally located hostel in Porto
- Three meals a day
- Shared use of common spaces and free WiFi
- Volunteer placement coordination
- Suggestion of weekly activities with the other volunteers
- In-country staff support 24/7 (and the best local tips to discover the city)
- Pre Departure Info Booklet
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
- Round-Trip Flights to Portugal
- Return Airport Drop
- Visa Fees
- Vaccinations
- Any personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
You will be picked up on arrival at Porto airport and transferred to the volunteer accommodation. A driver will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive and the coordinator is reachable 24/7, in case of any travel updates or troubles. For those participants who will already be in Porto beforehand just let us know and we will arrange your pick up from any location in Porto.
Orientation
On the first day of the program, all participants are given an introductory presentation with the group giving further details of the program along with a walking tour of Porto city center for approximately two hours.
Accommodation
Volunteers stay in a dormitory-style hostel along the scenic Douro River in the heart of the city – the perfect retreat for volunteers in Porto.The accommodation is close to the metro and a short walk from São Bento train station and Torre dos Clérigos. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and bedding. Along with personal touches, like reading lights and power outlets at every bed and individual lockers to store your belongings securely.The hostel has both female and mixed gender dorms.
Private room upgrade can be arranged for an additional fee.The 4 bed mixed dorm room is converted to a private room upon request.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Breakfast is served buffet style at the volunteer accommodation.Lunch and dinner are served at a nearby restaurant that offers delicious Portuguese cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available upon request to accommodate dietary needs.
There is a fully equipped shared kitchen in the hostel that you can use to storage your food or to cook your meals.
During your Free Time
The weekends are free for you to get to know Portugal in a better way. We can help you to book the trips that you want to go to any point in the country. Besides that, we have one or two day programs, where you will have unique experiences on your own or in a group.
Volunteers can also join Portuguese Lessons. The language lessons are available for all volunteers, regardless of their starting level. By taking these classes, you will be able and communicate more effectively during your stay!
The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current Portuguese level and are taught by a professional Portuguese teacher. All the classes run from Monday to Friday, and the cost is very affordable.
During your free time and the weekends, you can enjoy our tours and activities, or simply be on your own, relaxing and exploring!
Some of the tours and experiences that you can enjoy during the free time include :-
-
Douro, Port and Moscatel Tour – Visit the vineyards, taste the different wines and have a typical lunch with amazing views
-
Minho and Vinho Verde Alvarinho Tour – Visit beautiful Viana do Castelo, Melgaço, and Monção, taste the Vinho Verde and some of the best Portuguese cuisine
-
Aveiro and Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour – Visit the beautiful city of Aveiro and get to know its wonders and traditions
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Portugal
Airport pickup
A driver meets you at Porto Airport (OPO) on your arrival day and transfers you to the hostel; the coordinator is reachable 24/7 for flight changes, and pickup from elsewhere in Porto can be arranged.
First night
You settle into your dormitory at the centrally located hostel along the Douro River.
Orientation day
You attend an introduction session and placement orientation, followed by a guided two-hour walking tour of Porto city center.
First project day
You are assigned a morning, afternoon, or evening shift and join the surf sessions alongside the instructors, with in-country staff support available 24/7.
From volunteers in Portugal
Frequently asked questions
What do I actually do on this program?
You assist local surf instructors during inclusive surf sessions for children and individuals with disabilities, preparing equipment, supporting participants in the water, and occasionally joining beach clean-ups.
Do I need surfing experience or a coaching qualification?
No, prior surfing experience is not required; you receive four surf lessons a week yourself, and no coaching qualification is needed since you assist the instructors rather than lead sessions.
What is a typical day and how many hours do I work?
After orientation you are assigned a morning, afternoon, or evening shift and work approximately 4-5 hours a day, depending on the project schedule.
How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?
You can join for 1–12 weeks, with new starts twice a month (sundays); the next start date is 20 Sep 2026.
What does the program fee include?
Prices start at $1,433, deposit included, covering airport pickup, orientation, hostel dormitory accommodation, three meals a day, placement coordination, and 24/7 in-country staff support; flights, visa fees, vaccinations, and personal expenses are not included.
Where do I live and what meals are provided?
You stay in a dormitory-style hostel on the Douro River in central Porto, with buffet breakfast at the hostel and lunch and dinner at a nearby Portuguese restaurant; vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available on request.
How does airport pickup work?
A driver meets you at Porto Airport (OPO) on your arrival day and transfers you to the hostel; if you are already in Porto, pickup can be arranged from your location.
What support is available during the program?
In-country staff are reachable 24/7, and you get an introduction session, placement orientation, a guided walking tour of Porto, and suggested weekly group activities.
Is a background check required?
Yes, because the placement involves working with children, a criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date is required.
Do I need insurance or vaccinations?
Travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or one arranged through Volunteering Solutions; vaccination guidance, if any, is sent in the pre-departure information booklet.
Who is this program suited for?
It suits adults who can swim, are comfortable working outdoors, and want to combine surfing with supporting inclusive sessions for children and individuals with disabilities.
Can I improve my own surfing while volunteering?
Yes, the program includes four surf lessons a week adapted to your level, so you build your own skills alongside assisting the coaching sessions.
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