Oasis Surf Camp Review | #1 Surf Lessons Puerto Escondido
First I’ll preface by saying I’ve wanted to try surfing forever now, coming from a gymnastics / yoga / snowboarding background and loving the ocean but I was always too scared. The idea of trying to control a huge board in waves as someone who is petite seemed daunting.
I finally decided at 31 it would be more scary the older I got and booked a few days at the Oasis Surf Camp Puerto Escondido. The whole experience was so great and went much better than I thought it would. By the end I had ridden tons of waves on a beach, reef and point break, and I also learned how to pass the break which I was worried about.
I made such a great choice picking Oasis and I’m so glad I followed through. I encourage anyone who thinks they will be too scared to surf to try it in Puerto with Oasis! I want to share this Oasis Surf Camp review so others can have the same amazing surf experience that I did.
*I’m NOT being paid for this review!
Oasis Surf Camp Quick Review
Oasis Surf Camp Puerto Escondido is absolutely one of the best value opportunities in the world to learn to surf. Whether you’re a beginner or learning how to ride monster waves, you’ll leave as a better surfer. You can stay for a few days, a week, month or even longer, learning to surf and speak Spanish too if you want.
The surf instructors choose the wave and what skills to work on with you, so that the lesson is catered to you personally. Amazing surf conditions, different wave types, great weather, passionate instructors and owners, and very affordable prices come together for an incredible experience at Oasis!!
Oasis Surf Camp Puerto Escondido : Full Review & What to Expect
My review includes everything to expect when going to Oasis Surf Camp in Puerto Escondido including how to get there, where to stay, what to expect at the surf lessons and more.
How to Get To Puerto Escondido Mexico & Oasis Surf Camp
Getting to Puerto Escondido, Mexico can be harder than bigger cities in Mexico because you’ll have to fly into the small local Puerto Escondido Airport, or into the nearby Oaxaca airport. If you fly into Oaxaca, you’ll need to take the bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido which is about a two hour ride thanks to the new Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway.
Oasis Surf Camp is right in the center of town, near all the best Puerto Escondido beaches for swimming and also of course learning to surf!
Where to Stay In Puerto Escondido : At Oasis Surf Camp or Nearby
You have the option of either staying at Oasis Surf Camp or you can stay at a nearby accommodation, whichever fits your needs best! Read about the best options below.
El Nopal and La Barca Surf Houses
Staying on site at Oasis Surf Camp was by far the best deal and most affordable surf camp experience I had ever heard of, even in comparison to places like Bali, at least from my experience and research over the last five or so years. I heard the WIFI is great at both places, so you can work from your room if you need to, or do your Spanish homework if you are there for the Spanish lessons also.
La Barca Surf House and El Nopal Surf House are the on site accommodation options at Oasis Surf Camp. They’re both great and right near the surf camp itself. As two of many Puerto Escondido boutique hotels, you’ll find these to me more affordable and great for longer stays!
At La Barca you’ll find a little hidden paradise, with lots of palm trees, a pretty good sized pool and a rooftop where the yoga classes are held (which are usually part of the surf package).
El Nopal is the newer and has larger suites, including two penthouses, that can accommodate bigger groups, along with small suites and accommodations for all types of travelers.
Another perk of staying here is that you could meet some really cool people along the way that have similar interests as you! When I was at La Barca for my surf introduction class, I could tell the place would be great for mingling with fellow travelers and like-minded people. It had a very comfortable inviting atmosphere.
Either way you’ll be in good hands staying at either of these accommodations. To book them you’ll need to send a request at the Oasis Surf Camp website, where they will send information on packages and be able to get you the best deal.
Other Great Puerto Escondido Hostels & Hotels Nearby
Both Selina Puerto Escondido and Losodeli are coworking accommodations close to Oasis Surf Camp – Losodeli being within walking distance and Selina a short cab ride or drive. The reason the coworking aspect matters is because internet can be funny in Puerto Escondido depending on where you stay, and you’ll be sure to have top notch WIFI at both of these places. There are many many accommodations which will not have good cell service or good WIFI, which can be really frustrating while you’re traveling.
These two Puerto Escondido hostels are also of course perfect for digital nomads like myself. I stayed at Selina and had an amazing experience. If you’re not going to stay at Oasis Surf Camp, I recommend either of these places!
Read my blog on where to stay in Puerto Escondido for more info on the best hotels and vacation rentals in the area.
Surf Camp & Spanish Lessons In Paradise
I chose to do a four day surf package at Oasis surf camp, but you can also opt to take Spanish lessons here too if you like! I did find it tougher than I thought it would be to feel comfortable in Puerto Escondido not knowing Spanish, and the Spanish lessons were looking pretty tempting by the time I left!
I said it already but their packages are a great deal. I do plan on coming back to continue learning how to surf, and in the future I’ll definitely do one of their complete packages with accommodations and Spanish lessons too.
Why should you choose Oasis over other surf camps?
Puerto Escondido is one of the best surf destinations in the world. On any given day there are waves that suit all levels, most of which are consistent and easier to predict, and on three different types of waves – a point break, a reef break and beach breaks.
At any given time the Surfline forecast map for the Puerto Escondido beaches will be showing lots of green, indicating excellent surf conditions.
Oasis is the most established surf school in Puerto Escondido and people come from all around the world to surf here! Their package deals offer an incredible opportunity to learn to surf for an affordable price with passionate surfers.
The instructors know what they’re doing and give you really personal lessons depending on what you specifically are hoping to learn. You’ll get instruction in an either one on one or one on two setting, which is something you won’t get everywhere. You can’t go wrong with Oasis!
Surf Lessons Puerto Escondido at Oasis Surf Camp : What to Expect
The morning of my first lesson at Oasis Surf Camp I showed up and felt welcomed right from the start. I’m sensitive to judgy crowds of people and the staff put me as ease right away! I checked in with the front desk and got payment squared away, which was quick and easy. They also gave me a nice printed map of Puerto Escondido, which I now have as a little souvenir hehe.
The first thing you usually do at Oasis is a surf theory class, which is where they explain the different types of waves, timing, how to pop up, how to get through the break etc. Really focus on your pop up here because it is very important!! Being able to do it automatically without thinking where your feet go is key.
I do yoga often and the thing that tripped me up is that your back foot needs to move up on the board before you swing your front leg through which is a little different than what you do in a a typical vinyasa.
Next up is your first lesson! There are a bunch of different Puerto Escondido beaches you might go to depending on the waves that day, and they select the best for your specific skill level. This is of course the best way to learn, although it did make me nervous not knowing which beach we would be going to before showing up each morning. All of the beaches are within like a 15 minute drive, so you don’t have to worry about the lesson going too long.
The three that I was taken to between my days at Oasis Surf Camp were Carrizalillo (reef break), La Punta (point break) and a beach break farther away which I can’t remember the name of. Each was a totally unique experience and I was lucky to get doable waves in all different locations and wave types.
I was surprised that my surf instructor Diego greeted me and that it would be just us two, meaning one on one instruction. I didn’t think I would like it being one on one because I like to be in my own head while I’m learning, which is harder when you’re working one on one, but now I see how valuable that was and why I wouldn’t want to do it any other way! It also helps that Diego was so patient and great to learn from as a beginner.
I was nervous as we walked down to the beach for my first lesson but I still felt comfortable each step of the way. Diego helped me to paddle out the first time which was great because it surprised me how hard it was to move the board through the water. They had me using a 9′ board which is pretty big and easier to stand on, but it’s also a little wider and heavier. It was hard on my arms, which I was surprised somehow weren’t sore the next day, but I definitely recommend working a little on arm strength if you’re planning to learn to surf.
After paddling out we met up with a big group of instructors and people learning to surf, which was cool and felt like a little hangout spot. Once it was my turn to go, Diego pushed me toward the wave and told me when to paddle and then finally when to stand up and get the wave. I stood up on my first try and I couldn’t believe it!!! It was so much fun and this went on for two hours. Diego was so great, riding the wave with me when it was too big (on the back, which stabilizes the board) and helping me get out past the break when I was feeling too out of breath.
Using the bigger board definitely paid off because I only fell off my board one time. and to be fair it was on a huge wave!! That first lesson gave me the confidence I needed to keep showing up. I will say I think I got lucky that the weather cooperated, but that’s just how surfing goes.
Over the next few days I learned to surf different types of waves with a few different instructors because I didn’t go at the same time each day. If you want to stick with the same instructor you’ll just have to choose to do your lessons at the same time during that instructor’s shift, which you can check with the front desk about each day.
The most challenging day for me was actually the last day, because we went to a beach break farther away which was really rough to paddle out through as a beginner. It took a lot more stamina than the other days, and I really only got one good wave (which I was very proud of), but it taught me how to paddle out through waves, what to do if one crashes on you, etc. Without that day I would still be confused about how to get out past the break, so this ended up being the most valuable of all the days and I felt so lucky how things turned out! The universe / weather came together perfectly to teach me what I needed, and of course Oasis is to thank for selecting the best beaches and experiences for me personally.
Also, make sure to get the photo package!! It’s so worth it. The pics are proof haha. I got tons of compliments from friends and family. 😎 I love that I’ll have these to look back on.
Overall Oasis surf camp is an amazing place and I’ll be looking forward to the next time I can up my surfing skills.
P.S. If you’re thinking of going to the Oasis surf camp, make sure to save my Puerto Escondido map to help you get around once you’re there.
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
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