Our Story

-THE JOURNEY BEHIND CLIFF SURF HOUSE-

Cliff Surf House sun

THE HEARTBEAT BEHIND CLIFF

Cliff Surf House isn’t just a place – it’s our heart and soul. Every detail we shape, every wave we share, and every guest we welcome is part of a dream we’ve built with love.

Cliff Surfhouse Stefan

STEFAN
The founder of Cliff and a true local of Santa Cruz. Stefan always been closely connected to the ocean. He knows every sandbank in the area and has spent most of his life by the sea. With a background in business management, Stefan handles the numbers and ensures that the surf school operates smoothly. When he’s not taking care of business, he’s hands-on in building and improving the surf house. Most of the furniture and structures have been crafted by Stefan and his team, giving the space a personal and authentic touch.

Cliff Surfhouse Nina

NINA
Originally from Hamburg, Nina moved to Portugal in 2020 to join Stefan in turning their shared dream into a reality. She is the person behind the organization, HR, marketing, and design at Cliff. Nina is passionate about creating a welcoming space for every guest and personally attends to every detail.

For Stefan and Nina, Cliff Surf House is more than a project—it’s a dream they work hard to sustain every day, sharing it with their guests.

Cliff Surfhouse Charly

CHARLY
Charly, our lovable dog, is a true member of the Cliff family. Ball-obsessed and full of energy, he’s always ready to greet guests with a wagging tail and a smile. His playful spirit brings warmth and joy, making Cliff feel even more like home.

10 YEARS OF CLIFF SURF HOUSE

Celebrating 10 incredible years of Cliff Surf House, we’re proud to have welcomed nearly 8,000 guests, with many returning year after year. Our return guests are a true testament to the magic of this place – they come back for the waves, the connections, and the unique vibe of Cliff.

THE BEGINNING
Cliff Surf House began in 2016 when Stefan and a close friend opened the doors of the first location. Their goal was simple: to create a place where people could come together, enjoy surfing, and experience the beauty of the ocean. For four years, countless memories were made in that very first house – a place full of laughter, saltwater, and unforgettable moments.

WHEN PATHS CROSSED
The year when Nina and Stefan met for the first time. It was the beginning of a special partnership – both in life and in business.

A NEW CHAPTER
In February 2021, after a long search, Nina and Stefan finally found their dream property. Nestled in nature and just a short walk from the ocean, it gave them the space to grow and take their vision for Cliff Surf House to the next level.

THE BIG REOPENING
After three months of full-on renovation, building furniture, and pouring love into every corner, Cliff Surf House reopened its doors in a brand-new location. The vibe stayed just as warm and relaxed – just with more space, more style, and even more room to live the surf life and connect with people from all over the world.

10 YEARS OF CLIFF
In June 2026, we’ll celebrate our 10-year anniversary. We’re proud to be one of the first surf camps in Santa Cruz, to have grown into a name known across Europe, and to look back on a journey full of adventure and unforgettable moments. And none of it would have been possible without you – our amazing guests. Your trust, energy, and love mean the world to us.

Cliff Surf House Palmtree
Cliff Surf Camp Portugal -Team

MEET THE CREW

We feel incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated, professional, and loyal team by our side. From our five passionate surf coaches to our head chef, two wonderful housekeepers, one caring receptionist, two hardworking farmers, and a rotating crew of 4–6 amazing volunteers – it’s a colorful mix of people, all here with one mission: to give you the best possible experience. Many of our team members have been with us for years. We work together like a family – and that’s exactly how it feels.

Cliff Surfhouse House
Cliff Surfhouse family portrait
Cliff Surfhouse Pool
Cliff Surfhouse Stefan
Cliff Surf house - Wave sketch

Guest reviews

Every stay tells a story. These are some of our favorites, straight from our guests.

Cliff Surf House isn’t just a vacation – it’s about coming together with people from all over the world and making friends, maybe even friends for life. For me, it’s a place to recharge, find peace, and just feel good. ❤And of course… you have to trust anyone who tells you that tequila is good for surfing.
Cliff Surfhouse Pascal

Pascal

People, surfing, activities, food and vibes make this a paradise. Stefan was the best surf coach ever. I am a Portuguese living in Germany and coming back to Santa Cruz and Cliff is always the best time of the year for me.
Cliff Surfhouse Andreia

Andreia

When I come to Cliff it immediately feels like coming home. Love the team, the surf progress, the activities, the food and Santa Cruz. When I leave I’m already planning my next visit. See you soon x
Cliff Surfhouse Sara

Sara

I had the pleasure of staying at the CLIFF Surfhouse in Santa Cruz for a fantastic 7-day getaway, and let me just say, it exceeded all my expectations! From the moment I arrived until the day I left, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The Surfhouse’s slogan, “come as a guest, leave as a friend,” truly encapsulates the warm and inviting atmosphere that permeates this establishment. The staff and owners were incredibly friendly and made sure every guest felt like a part of their extended family.
Cliff Surfhouse Ali

Ali

The Cliff Surfhouse is the best place when it’s about learning to surf, connecting with fascinating people from all around the world, get a taste of the Portuguese kitchen and just having the time of your life. Every time I return to Cliff, I’m looking forward to seeing the coaches again! Spending time on the lineup with them especially the big boss Stefan or the love of my life Bruno is my favorite! Coming as a guest, leaving as a friend is true. That’s why I’ve been there already five times, and it won’t stop with five. You really get to feel that the team is giving everything and all their best for you to have the best time!!
Cliff Surfhouse Fabian

Fabian

Solo traveler, without surfing experience? Absolutely!!! A little cliffhanger upfront: It’s going to be cheesy! 😉 I first entered the Cliff in 2022 with no clue about anything and, accordingly, no expectations. What I experienced there, however, knocked me off my feet, not only because of that. The aesthetics, the spirit, the quality of instruction, the attention to detail, the organization, and above all: the team and the people I got to know were so amazing that any expectation would have been exceeded anyway. I was so convinced and in love that, as soon as I was back home, I booked again and stood on the board 2 months later. And in 2023, it was clear to me: I definitely have to go there again. After all three visits, I not only learned a lot about waves, weather, and surfing but also about myself and my beautiful encounters. While I had to leave the waves, the weather, and the surfboard in Portugal every time, I took new energy, learnings, and, above all, friendships with me, which endure and even grow! It’s really like planting a little seed in the Cliff once, and a beautiful tree grows quickly. The Portuguese wind ensures that the tree’s new seeds blow across borders, and you can harvest the fruits wherever you want. And I did that and met many wonderful people again. Besides, I continue to surf regularly and love it! You could call me a Cliffluencer because I find this experience so beautiful and worthwhile that I rave about the Cliff Surfhouse to all my friends and now apparently to you, as a reader. You really have nothing to lose and should dare if you’re unsure! Afterward, I think you’ll know what I’m trying to put into words here – so let’s go! And maybe we’ll even see each other because I already miss my beautiful tree and will surely visit it again soon to water it and let it continue to grow!
Cliff Surfhouse Lotti

Lotti

Cliff Surf Camp Portugal - Be one of us

Jobs

Looking for more than just a job? Join a team where passion meets purpose – check out our opportunities! We are always looking for energetic and happy people.

Cliff Surf House Shark

Volunteers

There are currently looking for teamer for Winter Season 2025 and all seasons of 2026. If you are an energetic and fun person who would like to join our team, please apply here:
https://forms.gle/6at2GUxNXLwEjCrF9
The minimum stay is 6 weeks (the longer the better).

Kitchen Chef

There are currently no vacancies available. However, we are always keen to meet energetic and fun people who would like to join our team. If you wish to be considered for any future positions, please send your CV and covering letter to

Surf Coaches with Portuguese License

There are currently no vacancies available. However, we are always keen to meet energetic and fun people who would like to join our team. If you wish to be considered for any future positions, please send your CV and covering letter to

Surf Coach Internship

We offer internship opportunities for aspiring surf coaches who want to gain hands-on experience at a professional surf camp in Portugal. Work alongside our licensed coaches, learn how to teach in real conditions, and become part of the Cliff family. Please send your CV and covering letter to

Reception & Guest Management Internship

Become part of our team and gain hands-on hospitality experience in a fun, international surf house in Portugal. Minimum stay: 4 months. Apply now: Send your CV and a short motivation to .

Contact us

    Cliff Surf House
    Rua Barbosa de Bocage 14
    2560-951 A-Dos-Cunhados
    Portugal

    Cliff Surf House

    Contact us

      Cliff Surf House
      Rua Barbosa de Bocage 14
      2560-951 A-Dos-Cunhados
      Portugal

      Cliff Surf House
      Cliff Surf House - Living the dream since 2016
      Cliff Surf house Group
      Cliff Surf house Charly
      Cliff Surf house Skating
      Cliff Surf house Nina and Stefan