Booking, your visit, time on the water, and what happens if your plans change. Can't find your answer? Message us on WhatsApp.
Walking up or booking online, prices and how to pay.
You don't have to book. Come to the yellow tent and rent whatever boat is free. Booking online saves a boat for you at the time you choose.
Up to 7 days ahead, and at least 1 hour before you go. We follow the forecast a week ahead, so this keeps weather cancellations to a minimum. Start times are every 30 minutes. Want to go out sooner? Come to the tent and rent whatever is free.
Per boat, for 1, 2 or 3 hours. One booking can include several boats: choose how many of each you need, then pay once for everything.
It depends on your boat and how often you'd like to stop. In a kayak, 1 hour is enough to paddle our suggested route without stopping, and 2 or 3 hours give you time to swim and relax on the beaches along the way. Pedal boats and the Hidro Car are slower: allow 2 hours for the full route.
Single kayak and stand-up paddle: 1 person
Double kayak: up to 2
Triple kayak: up to 3
Pedal boat and slide pedal boat: up to 4
Hidro Car: up to 5
Online, you pay when you book: by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, MB WAY, PayPal and more. At the tent, you can pay in cash or by card: our terminal takes all the usual cards and payment methods.
If you walk up, yes. How long you can stay out depends only on later bookings for your boat. On busy days, or if your boat is booked later, we may ask you to choose a set time first, to keep things fair for everyone.
Online bookings are always for a set time of 1, 2 or 3 hours.
Finding us, opening hours and what to bring.
At the yellow tent in the middle of Praia do Vau, in Portimão. Come straight to the tent when you arrive: it's where you check in, change and leave your things while you're on the water.
There's free parking right behind and around Praia do Vau, but it fills up fast. If it's full, park at Praia do Alemão next door and take the walkway between the two beaches. It's a short, beautiful stroll, and from halfway along you can already spot our tent.
Every day, 1 June to 30 September
09:30–19:00
When we're closed, or if the sea isn't safe, you'll see a notice at the top of our Home and Book pages.
No. The water here is usually calm and easy, and if it's your first time we'll give you a quick paddling lesson before you go. Not sure which boat suits you? Ask us and we'll help you choose.
Yes, children are very welcome. Our slide pedal boat and Hidro Car were made with them in mind, and we have life vests in every size, from babies to XXL.
Children can go out on their own if they're strong enough to paddle or pedal by themselves. When they do, they must stay within sight of the tent and no more than 300 m from the shore: our yellow buoys mark that distance.
On the day, our team decides whether conditions are right for them to go alone.
Swimwear, sun cream, a hat, water to drink and a towel. We provide life vests, a waterproof box for your phone and keys, and a place to change and leave your bags while you paddle.
Where to paddle, staying out longer and staying safe.
Go wherever you like: you don't have to follow our suggested route. Stay within 300 meters of the coast and go no further than Prainha beach. Want to go further? Talk to us at the tent first.
We're relaxed about it: 5 to 10 minutes late is fine. If someone has booked your boat next, our support boat may come out and ask you to head back when your time is up.
If your time is running out and you're far away, we may come and ask if you'd like more time. You pay for the extra time when you get back.
Everyone on board gets a life vest: as a licensed maritime-tourism operator, that's the rule. We strongly recommend wearing it the whole time.
We don't force you to keep it on, but if you take it off, you do so at your own risk and you're responsible for your own safety.
Our motorised support boat is ready at all times: for a quick tip, a gear swap, or to help you to an area that's always sheltered from the wind if it picks up. We're a licensed and insured operator (RNAAT nº 196/2010) and have been renting boats on this beach since 1980.
Moving or cancelling a booking, and what happens if the sea isn't safe.
Yes, up to 12 hours before it starts, if a boat is free. Open My bookings and enter the email you booked with: we'll send you a link. The boat and rental length stay the same. To change those, message us.
Not if your plans change: bookings aren't refunded, but you can move yours to another time for free. We only cancel when we can't give you what you booked, for example when the sea isn't safe, and then you choose: a new time or a full refund.
We follow the forecast up to 7 days ahead, but forecasts aren't an exact science. If we have to stop rentals on a day you've booked, we contact you using the email or phone number on your booking, and you choose: move your booking to another time, or get a full refund. We also post a notice at the top of our Home and Book pages.
Check your spam folder first. You can also open My bookings and enter the email you booked with: we'll send you a link to your bookings. Still nothing? Message us on WhatsApp.
Message us on WhatsApp or give us a call. We're happy to help you plan your time on the water.
