Water Activities - Scenic route along Algarve coastline
A holiday to Algarve is often focused around the beach, but there is a lot to see and do on your visit the beach. This guide offers one of Algarve's most exciting, scenic paddle board trips, along with some local tips of secret caves & beaches to find along your journey.
How long is the route?
★ I definitely recommend going during the early hours of the morning after sunrise for a truly beautiful experience!
The Weather ⛅️
Luckily in Algarve, you are very unlikely to be disappointed with the weather. However, bare in minds that you are near the ocean and thus it can get windy and chill at night (and day sometimes) - don't forget to see weather forecasts for the time your of visit but its always worth having something warm for the evenings!
Top Beaches To Rest 🏖️
Setting off from Praia do Vau along the coastline until secret beach and photo point Praia Fofi.
Lookout for Rocha do Leão. (Photo Point)
Lookout for Leo Frodo. (Photo Point)
This is a great zone to put on your googles and try some snorkelling
Lookout for Leixão do submarino. (Photo Point)
Let's get adventurous and park off on a private beach to spend some peaceful time out in the sun.
Praia Fofi is a popular secret beach for amazing photographs.
Where to rent equipment?🚣
Along the coastline you're able to find so many different activities to do during the day. From water activities to mountain buggy rides, the Alvor and surrounding areas have something that suits all visitors holiday dreams.
If you're looking to have a guide go along with you I'd suggest the below:
Other similar options could be:
★ Depending on your duration of the stay and how many times you'd like to do this trip. It could be worth visiting Decathlon in Portimão where you can rent or even by new / used equipment and list it on Facebook for sale right away to start getting some offers. Alternatively Praia do Alemão, upon entering has a van rental paddle boards & kayaks for €15 per 30 minutes.
Sample Itinerary 🗺️
Assuming you are staying in Alvor and looking to get have some fun in the ocean, this would be the itinerary I would advise you to follow and adjust according to your needs. The following example itinerary is based on setting sail from Praia do Vau. I'd also advise having a look at the different locations on the interactive map and shuffle things around to create a small itinerary for a trip along the coast that works best for your trip style without needing a paid tour guide:
★ Grab some snacks for your trip (If you visit Decathlon for just €10 you can purchase a 5L Water Proof Bag!)
Starting from Praia do Vau (07h30):
Praia do Vau is the perfect place to start your trip. With easy access directly to the beach you're able to park just meters away from the beach. With no rocks in the water infront of you, you'll have more ease getting onto your feet while adjusting your balance to start paddling out.
Praia do Vau beach has floating distance markers which I'll generally use to know when Im at a good distance to start enjoying my trip. From 300m out you can begin proceeds towards the right hand side (Praia do Alemão where you'll immediately notice incredible views.
First Stop (Lej Frodo)
Lej Frodo is a great place for your first rest while being able to capture gorgeous photographs of your trip. The water is generally calm with a view boats parking off for the day (Luckily we rise early and have beat everyone here getting truly tranquility) Feel free to jump aboard and try some snorkelling. This area generally will have lots of fish around.
Second Stop (Unnamed)
So our next stop doesn't quite have a name and you'll need to be lucky with the tides. As you approach the corner you'll come across one last Bay Area with a huge cave allowing you to swim or paddle through.
Third Stop (Praia do Submarino)
You're third stop is one must deserved after your previous stretch here you'll encounter some of the trips mosts spectacular views. Don't rush between stops, take in what's around you and jump off for a swim.
Once you're on the beach this is a great place to pull out the drinks and snacks to enjoy some private beach life while catching some sunlight
Final Stop (Leixão do Submarino)
Leixão do Submarino is another incredible location to stop and snap some photos of the submarine rock lookout before turning around to return to Praia do Vau.
Along your journey there is many little beaches I have not named and will leave it like that for you to explore yourself and make a real adventure. You'll be spending plenty time in the sun so please take sun protection.
Hope you have the best time paddle boarding 🌅
P.S - don't forget to look back here from time to time as this guide will be continuously updated with more of the best about Alvor, Portugal. (Staying updated with the season)
If you find this information helpful, any tips are appreciated for my work :)
Looking for more guides around Algarve? Check out this guide below!
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