Need to Know San Sebastián Information
This is where you can find anything and everything about one of our absolute favourite cities San Sebastián and its surrounding regions. Come and get amongst it in 2021 for…
Everything Else
🛹 SURF SKATES AVAILABLE FOR HIRE
You’ll be getting salty AND bendy with our surf and yoga packages, surfing the Basque country, sleeping in comfy beds in our dorm-style, three-story converted farmhouse, working on your tan and making a load of new best friends. We’ve got hearty, home-cooked meals, unlimited beer and sangria, family vibes and awesome parties.
If it’s a night out you want, we’ve got it, with trips into San Sebastian for pintxo tours or a trip to a typical Basque sidra house. If it’s a night in you want, don’t sweat it. You can hang out on the deck and roast marshmallows around the fire pit before you retreat to bed for a good night’s sleep.
This is not your regular surf camp, this is a place that you’ll come for a week and never want to leave. We can teach you Spanish, we’ve got surfskate boards for rent and stunning hiking trails in our own backyard (literally). Come surfing in Spain, make the most out of our freakin’ awesome surf camp, and see what all the fuss is about.
Stoke Surf House San Sebastián
April 1 - October 31
Meet us there
Young at heart traveller 18+
Shared dorms
Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
This is a unique surf camp experience. Open all year, 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, just past the skateboard ramp, 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 €10 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 House 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 offers a unique (yet gentle on the wallet) surfing experience in the Basque country. The accommodation is in dorms, ranging from four to 28 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. But that’s not all… you could also learn a thing or two whilst you’re here with our…
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:
Add-on cost: €90 per week
Whilst our regular surf house packages include daily yoga by our qualified instructor, sometimes one just isn’t enough. Sometimes you need double the yoga, with classes twice daily, as well as guided hikes throughout the Pagoeta, and a guided meditation class. Available to be added on to any of our Ultimate packages (a week or more).
Add-on cost: €90 per week
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 dudes and dudettes, our surf guides are fun, friendly and happy to help. You’ll be standing in no time, and for those more experienced, our guides will show you where to get the best waves. 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 cliff-jumping and paragliding, for the adrenaline junkies, 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.
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? 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.
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.
You can call it autumn, fall, whatever, but what we want to call it is the best time to visit San Sebastian if you’re after uncrowded waves, great conditions, less tourists and beautiful colours across the trees that surround our gorgeous surf house. The San Sebastian Surf House is open all year – so come whenever you want – but we’re going to make this weekend special. Surf all day, party all night, explore San Sebastian and it’s world-class culinary scene, visit a traditional cider house, hike the mountains behind our house, and tick the beautiful Basque Country off your bucket list.
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.
This itinerary is meant to be just a guide, not a set in stone, to the minute, school itinerary. This is what your day may look like at the Stoke Surf House– depending on the waves, weather, your wants and needs. There’s always something for you to do, but it’s your holiday so feel free to lay on the beach, have a beer, or go on an adventure with your new surf mates instead.
Wake up to a homely, cooked breakfast down in our chillout area and exchange stories from last night’s antics. Fuel up, read the surf report and get excited to head out surfing. Jump on our surf bus and enjoy the ride down through the national park to the beach, grab your board and either scout out the best banks on the beach or head into your lesson with one of our surf instructors.
When you’re all surfed out, we’ll either have lunch in the sunshine at the beach together, or head back up to the house for a hot lunch and a cold sangria. If you’re feeling bendy, join a yoga class on our yoga deck; or maybe you want to head out hiking through the Basque hills that our surf house backs onto. You can choose to go into town and explore, join in on a Spanish class, head back down to the beach for another surf, or just relax! In the afternoon you will most likely find yourself hanging out at the house watching the sun go down over a few drinks, sharing stories or becoming lord of the ping pong table.
If you’re the sensible type, you can get in a good night’s sleep and be up bright and early for sunrise yoga and breathtaking views over the valley. If some more drinks, music and exploring sound more like you, then either join us on a pintxos tour in Zarautz or San Sebastian, a trip to a traditional Basque cider house or maybe even one of the many festivals that may be on during your stay.
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
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.
Join us onsite anytime during April/May/June or September/October, minimum 2 night stay.
*Book 7 nights or more and get additional free booze!
*These activities run on a rotational basis so you might miss out depending on how many nights you’re with us. To guarantee participation join our 7 night package.
Join us onsite anytime in July and August, minimum 2 night stay.
*Book 7 nights or more and get additional free booze!
*These activities run on a rotational basis so you might miss out depending on how many nights you’re with us. To guarantee participation join our 7 night package.
Do you crave the Stoke Travel San Sebastian Surf Camp lifestyle, but don’t want to fill your nose with saltwater and sand? Don’t worry, we have a package for sea-phobic summer lovers, sun worshippers, those curious about the Basque Country, national park hikers, foodies and travellers of all stripes. And, if you decide once at surf camp that you want to give wave sliding a crack, you can add lessons on to your package as easily and swiftly as it takes you to squeeze into the included wetsuit.
Do you crave the Stoke Travel San Sebastian Surf Camp lifestyle, but don’t want to fill your nose with saltwater and sand? Don’t worry, we have a package for sea-phobic summer lovers, sun worshippers, those curious about the Basque Country, national park hikers, foodies and travellers of all stripes. And, if you decide once at surf camp that you want to give wave sliding a crack, you can add lessons on to your package as easily and swiftly as it takes you to squeeze into the included wetsuit.
I went for a two night stay and I regretted not extending my trip. It was such a chill, fun weekend and I’ve never done anything like it. I made new mates, surfed and just kicked it.
This surf camp was awesome. The food was great, the house was super cool & the Stokies were so chill they became such mates by the end of my stay. We hiked, partied and surfed. I definitely want to go again & would recommend this trip to anyone
Sign-up for The Morning After
Not sure which package you selected? Contact Us