From wetsuit thickness to reef-safe sunscreen — a no-nonsense packing list for your surf holiday in Sagres, Portugal.
Packing for a surf trip is always a balance: bring what you really need, rent the rest locally. After two decades of welcoming surfers to Sagres, here's our honest packing list.
Wetsuit thickness by season
June – September: 3/2mm shorty or full suit (water around 18–20°C).
October – November: 3/2mm full suit.
December – March: 4/3mm full suit, optional booties on cold days.
April – May: 3/2mm full suit.
If you don't want to travel with a wetsuit, we rent high-quality O'Neill suits at our Sagres surf centre and at the Cordoama Beach Hut.
Boards: bring or rent?
Unless you have a board you really love, renting locally is usually the smarter choice — no airline fees, no damage in transit, and you can swap volume / shape between sessions. We carry beginner soft-tops, performance shortboards, fish, mid-lengths and longboards.
Other essentials
Reef-safe sunscreen (Sagres sun is no joke), zinc for face, a microfiber towel, flip-flops, a warm layer for after sunset (the wind picks up), a refillable water bottle, and basic first-aid for small reef cuts.
Don't forget travel insurance that covers surfing.
