Where to find us, what to bring and how your rental works.
Closed for the season
Closed, we reopen on Tuesday 1 June 2027.
Praia do Vau · Portimão
Our tent is right in the middle of Praia do Vau. Come straight to it when you arrive: it's where you check in, change and leave your things while you're on the water.
Praia do Vau, Portimão
Middle of the beach: look for the yellow tent
Opening hours
Every day, 1 June to 30 September
09:30–19:00
Can't find us? Call or message us on WhatsApp
Booked online or just walking up, here's how your rental goes.
1
Booking online saves your boat and time. No booking? Come to the tent and rent whatever is free.
2
Arrive a few minutes before your start time and give us the name on your booking.
3
We fit your life vests, hand you a dry box for your phone and give you a quick paddling and safety talk.
4
Explore the coast and bring the boat back to the tent when your time is up. Want longer? Just ask us.
There is free parking right behind and around the beach, but it usually fills up fast.
If it's full, park at Praia do Alemão next door and take the walkway that links the two beaches. It's a beautiful short stroll, worth doing for its own sake: it overlooks both beaches, and from halfway along you can spot us down on the sand and the first part of the route you'll take in our boats.
Swimwear, or clothes that can get wet
Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
Water to drink
A towel and dry clothes for afterwards
Your phone for photos: we'll give you a dry box for it
Life vests in every size, from babies to XXL
A waterproof box for your phone and keys
A place to change, and to leave your bags, shoes and towels while you paddle
A quick paddling lesson if it's your first time
Your pirate map
We've charted a calm, scenic route from Praia do Vau along the cliffs towards João de Arens, past caves and hidden coves. Ask us at the tent and we'll point out the highlights.
Follow our suggested route, or explore on your own.
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.
The water here is usually calm and easy: great for first-timers.
1, 2 or 3 hours?
Every boat can be rented for 1, 2 or 3 hours. Here's roughly what fits into each on our suggested route, so you can pick the right time.
1 hour
Enough time to paddle the whole suggested route at a steady pace, without stopping.
2 hours
Time to pull up on one of the deserted beaches along the way for a swim and a rest.
3 hours
Spend a while on every beach, sunbathing and relaxing, with no need to watch the clock.
The same times apply if you're already confident on a board. Boards are slower than kayaks for beginners, and harder still when it's windy, so if you're new to stand-up paddle, expect to cover less of the route.
We're a licensed and insured maritime-tourism operator (RNAAT nº 196/2010), renting boats on this beach since 1980.
We have life vests in every size, from babies to XXL. We strongly recommend wearing yours the whole time.
Our motorised support boat is ready at all times: for a quick tip, a gear swap, or a tow back if the wind picks up.
We check the sea and wind before every rental. If it isn't safe, the boats stay on the beach and we contact you about your booking.
Weather policyBook online in a minute, or message us on WhatsApp if you have a question.
