Billabong Surfcamp in Corralejo – Always an amazing experience
There are places in this world that seem to magically attract nice people and automatically create the best memories. You’re about to read about one of these places: the Billabong Surf Camp. Charlie has been there a few times and every time was an unforgettable experience with great memories and great people – Charlie kept in touch with lots of them. Every stay in Corralejo was different than the previous one, but always a positive experience.
The Billabong Surf Camp in Corralejo
The surf house is located right at the beach in Corralejo with its own section equipped with sun beds, hammocks between palm trees, a barbecue place and tables. Charlie always enjoys sitting on one of these tables in the early morning to have her breakfast while she’s watching the rising sun above the sea.
At the ground floor of the house are two dorms, each with 6 bunk beds, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a table and sofas. The office where Regula and David are welcoming the guests and where the surfboards are stored is in a separate part of the house, also on the ground floor.
On the upper floor are a few private rooms with separate bath and kitchen and there’s a roof terrace too from where you have a great view over the whole town, the sea and the island “Isla de Lobos”.
The town of Corralejo
Whilst being located at the beach, the surf house is not far away from the shops, bars and restaurants in Corralejo. A few supermarkets are around the corner and you can get one of these classic holiday souvenirs on your way home.
If you walk out of the camp and along the beach for a bit, you’ll reach the promenade with even more restaurants and bars. During the day, you can take a walk towards the harbour, where the ferries to Lanzarote leave a few times a day; in the evenings the area becomes very lively with music and many tourists that make use of the culinary offer.
Surfing in Corralejo
Surfing in front of the camp is only possible on a few days during the year, but it is perfect for stand-up paddling and kayaking. Both can be rented in the Billabong Surf camp and they’re free for guests – all you have to do is ask. There are certain times of the year when tiny sharks are coming into the bay and it happens that the police close the beach to prevent people from going into the water. From the camp, you can then enjoy the view towards curious tourists trying to take pictures of the sharks.
Together with the accommodation, Billabong surf camp offers surf lessons that you can book as a package for a good price. It includes the rental of surfboard, wetsuit and the transfer in the van to the surf spot. Depending on the conditions, you either drive a bit further south towards the dunes or to the coast north of Corralejo, sometimes even to El Cotillo in the West.
There are usually three different surf instructors at the Billabong Surfcamp and each of them has his own teaching technique. They always come up with new ideas and props that they take to the beach to keep the lessons varied and tailored to the participants’ level of surfing. Sometimes it is a ball that they take to the beach to practice the movement for turns in the water, some other times it is a white board that they use to explain how waves are built, some other times they even show a video at the school and explain how boards are built and what the difference between each shape and material is. There’s always something new to learn for everybody involved.
So many memories
Charlie has been at the Billabong Surf Camp multiple times. It’s where she had her first surf lessons and she still likes to come back to this place. She usually sees familiar faces as she is not the only one who likes to return. Charlie has so many memories that she doesn’t even know where to start.
Maybe she could start writing about the countless evenings at the probably best Tapas restaurant in town “Tapas Oscar”, or she’ll start with the honey rum she enjoyed every night with Jenny at the camp. She could also start with the nights spent at the Kiwi Bar or singing Karaoke, with the festivities for St. Patrick’s Day or Tatjana’s skating accident – maybe not the best memory to start with.
There were countless Barbecues too, formal ceremonies to hand over the tong to the next barbecue master or four Italians trying to make Carbonara or a Dutch couple that spontaneously paid the bill for everybody at the pizzeria.
Charlie also remembers very well when she spent her birthday in Fuerteventura that she hadn’t even planned to celebrate. As you already expect, somebody had noticed and they all surprised Charlie with a round of shots, decorated with sparklers, while they were all out dancing Salsa.
Arrival and Departure
It all starts with the arrival at the camp and already this one is a new experience every time: Charlie remembers that one time when she arrived late in the evening. She was happy about the supermarket still being open providing her a crappy sandwich on the way to the camp. She was even happier when she finally arrived and noticed that the others had just finished the barbecue. Her sandwich and all the food the others hadn’t been able to eat suddenly made a hearty meal for Charlie. What a welcome!
She equally remembers a message she received from the others at the camp after she had already returned home: “We all thought you had missed your flight, because someone was lying in your bed.” Charlie had left the camp early in the morning when everybody was still asleep, and she had offered Alessio to take over her bed. He had fled the boy’s dorm and was sleeping on the sofa, because someone else in the room had been having too much Whiskey the night before.
Memories from the Billabong Surfcamp in Fuerteventura
Charlie could now go on and on with her memories, but she will keep some of it for more detailed posts about her holidays at the Billabong surf camp:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best surf camp in Fuerteventura?
Charlie highly recommends the Billabong Surfcamp in Corralejo. It is located right by the beach, with a lounge and BBQ area, dorms and private rooms for reasonable prices. All the surfspots on the island are easily reachable.
What kind of accommodation do they offer at the Billabong surfcamp?
The cheapest option is to stay in one of the shared rooms. There are also private rooms and holiday apartment that can hold up to 4 people. Some of them have a roof terrace and they all have their own bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. All kinds of accommodation are self-catered (supermarkets within 5 minutes by foot), but people often organise barbecues with the whole group.
Where is the Billabong Surfcamp?
The Billabong Surfcamp is in Corralejo, in the North of Fuerteventura, at Waikiki Beach.
How to get to Corralejo?
Most travellers rent a car at the airport to get around in Fuerteventura. It is approximately 30 minutes by car to Corralejo. You can also book an airport shuttle for approximately € 8. You need to book that in advance online and you will be dropped off at the Ocean Dunas Hotel or the Hotel Barceló which are both 3 minutes away from the Billabong Surfcamp. You can also take public transport, the so called “guaguas”. You need to take bus number 3 to Puerto del Rosario and then bus number 6 to Corralejo. You’ll need change to pay for the ticket and it comes to approximately €5. It is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop to the camp.
Does the Billabong Surfcamp offer surf lessons?
Yes, they offer surf lessons. You can book them separately or together as a package with accommodation. They always start at the camp and you will be brought to the surfspot in the van. Surfboard and websuite hire is included.
Can you surf at the Billabong Surfcamp?
The beach in front of the camp only has good waves a few days per year, but you can reach Rocky Point within 15 minutes by foot or catch a boat to the Isla de Lobos from the harbour in Corralejo. For other surf spots, you’ll need a car (or you go there in the van for the surf lesson).
What else can you do at the Billabong Surfcamp?
There is a lounge area with sunbeds and hammocks. There is a slackline to improve your balance, long boards and surf skates, as well as kayaks and paddle boards for hire (free for guests). Corralejo is a tourist town with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars.