Explore the famous coastline of Ponta da Piedade with the best Kayak Cave Trip in Lagos. Take photos while paddling along Lagos’ beautiful cliffs and caves, and enjoy this natural wonder by kayak.
- + 2½ hour journey along the golden coast
- enjoy + ½ hour swimming, diving, or snorkelling *
- visit the most beautiful caves and take photos from inside
- suitable for both experienced paddlers and beginners, as well as families (min 5 years old)
- local kayak guide who is both qualified and experienced
- the support boat will always be there to assist you if needed
- a 40-litre waterproof bag *
- use of snorkelling equipment is included *
- fully licensed and full insurance coverage is included
Check availability below.
Fantastic Sea Kayaking “Sea kayaking on the coast of the Algarve last week with the Outdoor Tours crew was great. Our family group had a mixed bag of ages -12-49 – as well as fitness levels, but everyone had a brilliant time. Do keep in mind all of their tips before you come, since sunscreen, a hat and water are a must…”
The best part of our trip! “My boyfriend and I chose to do a combo trip with sea kayaking and the downhill cycling tour. Sergio was our guide for the sea kayaking. This is honestly the best way to see the coastal caves. Much more exciting than going on a motor boat, since you can navigate into the smaller caves that aren’t accessible by boats. Sergio took us to a private beach where we were able to explore and swim…”
Which Kayak Cave Trip in Lagos suits you best?
In Lagos there are 2 types of Kayak Cave Trips available depending on your start point:
- Start/end from the Beach near Lagos town centre and paddle to the caves, including snorkelling and paddle back to the beach
- Start/end from Lagos Marina by catamaran motorboat and get launched in the kayak at sea in front of the caves, including swimming
Once on the water arriving at the caves, both tours visit more or less the same caves and route and itineraries are similar, except for the snorkelling. Read below the complete guide to the main differences between the 2 types of kayak tours in Lagos.
2 ½ hrs tour
Beach + Snorkel
Start and end on the beach of Cais do Solaria next to the Lagos Fortress (dating back to 1690 !). This beach is also known as Praia da Batata. This name is given by fishermen because roughly 100 years ago a ship, loaded with potatoes (in Portuguese “batatas”), sank and the beach (“praia”) was covered with potatoes.
This beach is within walking distance from the city centre.
1. Leave the beach by kayak
This beach lies only 10 minutes of paddling from the first caves and grottoes. After a safety briefing on the sandy beach, you can push your kayak into the sea and the adventure starts.
You will be followed and supported by a motor boat that also gives space to some passengers should you prefer not to kayak. From the support boat, we will take photos which are freely available to download after the tour.
2. Paddle Tour
Discover all the accessible grottoes, arches, tunnels and caves from Ponta da Piedade, depending on the tide level.
3. Snorkeling
* On this kayak cave tour we will stop for half an hour on a tiny beach. It is a small beach secluded by the rocks, and we call it Praia Grande 🙂 Here we´ll get out our snorkel equipment. You will have time to discover the underwater world and see fish and rock formations.
4. Tow back
The kayak trips in the late afternoon sometimes experience the strong wind on the return journey to the beach. The support boat is available to bring back anyone, but feel free to challenge the winds.
We love the adventurous character of this tour because you will get onto the sea directly from the sandy beach and have a true nature experience from the first minute.
Adventure level: 💦 💦 💦 💦
Fitness level: 💪 💪
Price: € €
2 ½ hrs tour Beach + Snorkel
2 ½ hrs tour
from Lagos Marina
Start and end in the Lagos Marina. The Marina is next to the train station and opposite the bus station from Lagos. There is free parking and the boarding gate in the Marina is easy to find.
It is also a great place to have a drink or meal before or after the kayak tour.
1. Welcome aboard
Get on board the spacious catamaran boat that has the kayaks on board as well, and transfer in +10 minutes via the river/channel out onto the ocean.
You will be handed out life jackets and receive a safety briefing on board whilst being transferred to the ocean.
Once you are on the ocean, step in the kayaks and get launched gently from the boat by a sliding ramp. The catamaran will follow you at all times for support and to take photos which are freely available to download.
2. Paddle Tour
Depending on the tide we will visit all the grottos, tunnels and caves of Ponta da Piedade.
3. Swimming and diving
On this kayak cave tour, we will anchor the catamaran in a secluded bay. Here you will have time to swim and dive from the boat, and relax in your kayak or aboard.
4. Downwind
The advantage of this tour is that if winds are strong in the afternoon, we will operate the tour mainly downwind. The return leg to the Marina will happen with all passengers and kayaks on board.
Choose this tour if you look for a comfortable and relaxing kayak experience. Lagos Marina is a great starting point should you come by car or train.
Adventure level: 💦 💦 💦
Fitness level: 💪
Price: € € €
2 ½ hrs tour from Lagos Marina
Lagos Kayak Trips – prices and times for 2023
In the season of 2023, we will run the Kayak Cave Trip daily.
Check availability, prices and departure times here.
Where do we go on the Kayak Cave Trip in Lagos?
This Kayak Cave Trip in Lagos paddles along Ponta da Piedade
The natural beauty of the cliffs and caves of Ponta da Piedade of Lagos
will impress you. Experience this wonder of nature from the sea by kayak.
Whilst enjoying the views you will paddle close to some
beautiful sandy beaches such as Praia dos Estudantes,
Praia do Pinhal, Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo.
Once in the kayak, and on the way to the southern point of Lagos
you might see some cormorants.
Lagos caves and grottoes have fun names!
The destination for both kayak tours in Lagos is the area of the lighthouse which is on top of the rock formations and dates back to 1913.
This is the southern point of Lagos.
Here you´ll visit caves with names as “the living room”,
“the kitchen”, “the cathedral”, “birth canal”,
“the beautiful art room”, “the letter box” and “the love cave”.
Returning to Lagos we´ll pass by rock formations with creative names, such as “wedding cake” and “King Kong”.
Snorkel from a secluded beach next to Praia Dona Ana *
Praia Dona Ana is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.
200 metres further south we will find a similar secluded beach.
This is the small beach of Praia Grande. The good thing is that it is
only reachable from the sea and therefore very quiet and peaceful.
This is our beach to stop on our kayak tour and get out the snorkel gear.
The beach is quiet and surrounded by rock formations.
The use of our snorkel equipment is free.
* This unique experience is only available when you book the kayak tour that starts/ends on the beach.
Book now, don´t miss out this summer as we have limited spaces.
Kayak tour in Lagos “I went on Outdoor Tours’ kayak trip in Lagos and it was incredible. The guys are all set up right on the beach, equipped with a safety powerboat and a guide who paddles alongside you explaining the incredible rock formations and taking you through the multitude of caves and coves. Highly recommend it!”
Sea Kayaking and Downhill cycling tour in Portugal “Our family of four (2 adults + 2 teenagers) booked the sea kayaking in Lagos (…) online prior to our recent vacation in Portugal. Both were excellent. Loved exploring the coastline and caves near Lagos in the kayaks and the breaks on the beautiful isolated beaches…”
What can you expect on both the Lagos Kayak Tours?
Kayak skills are not needed
Our Kayak Cave Trip in Lagos is suitable for beginners and will also satisfy experienced paddlers due to the outstanding beauty of this rare coastline and visit to the natural caves.
Both trips will start with a short safety briefing. This is about basic paddling techniques, who sits in the front/rear, and what to do when capsizing (happens only 1 in 100 participants!). You will be explained the role of the motor boat which is following, and how to organize ourselves in the caves. We will check that your life jacket fits and closes well, and if you have brought enough water and sun protection with you.
We also advise when and where to take photos and how to keep your photo camera dry and safe. No worries if you have no camera; we will take loads of photos which are available later to download.
After you have pushed your kayak into the water we´ll advise you on how to use your paddle most efficiently, how to make a sharp turn and how to go in a straight line.
Guides & dedicated motorboat
Our multi-lingual guides are experienced kayakers who have a keen interest in the natural and cultural significance of this region. They are dedicated to providing personal attention, assuring you of a safe and rewarding adventure. Every guide is multi-lingual and is up-to-date with the local weather, wave and wind conditions of Ponta da Piedade.
At all times the group is accompanied by our dedicated support boat. Sometimes in the late afternoons, the wind might pick up at a certain point near the harbour entrance. We will always stay near you, just in case you need some help.
Locker storage on the Lagos Kayak Trip
When you book the kayak tour that starts from the beach, you can leave your valuables in our trailer at the meeting point on the beach. We will stay with the trailer during the Kayak Cave Trip, but in case we have to leave, the trailer will be locked up. Your belongings are available again as soon as you´ll come back to the beach after the trip. There is no charge for keeping your belongings during the kayak trip. We will not take any responsibility for your valuables whilst these are stored in the trailer. There is no insurance policy from us that covers your belongings.
When you book the kayak tour with boat transfer, your valuables can stay on board with the skipper.
What to bring
- your swimsuit
- sun protection factor 30 or higher
- sun hat or cap
- a bottle of water
- > Optional in the kayak:
- photo camera or smartphone
- safety line for (sun) glasses
- > Leave in the locker:
- dry clothes + small towel
best days of the holiday! “Best days of the holiday according to our 12 year old and I think the whole family agreed. We booked the sea kayak trip the first week and it was brilliant. Very easy to find and the guide was friendly and knowledgeable. It was nice to have a support boat following us and ready to tow us back to shore on the way back!…”
Sea Kayaking – Our Holiday Highlight
“Our family (kids are 11 & 8 years old) took one of Frank’s 3-hour+ tours kayaking around the caves at Lagos – what a great experience. We had beautiful weather and calm seas, and the guides Sergio and Sophie were well-informed and took us into little caves inaccessible by motorboat.
This is included on the Kayak Cave Trip in Lagos:
| Included in your tour …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. | Kayak from the Beach + Snorkel | Kayak with Boat Transfer from Marina |
| Modern double Sit on Top kayak + lightweight aluminium floating paddles | ✅ | ✅ |
| All insurance, VAT, and local maritime taxes | ✅ | ✅ |
| A dedicated support motor-boat follows your group for assistance if needed | ✅ | ✅ |
| One waterproof bag of 40 LTR per double kayak | + 2½ hours | + 2½ hours |
| Free use of locker storage | on the beach | on the boat |
| 50-70 N buoyancy aid/life jacket in your size | ✅ | ✅ |
| One kayak guide leading you safely around the most fun and beautiful places of Ponta da Piedade | ✅ | ✅ |
| Affordable prices for children | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cancel or change your booking up to 24 hours before the tour – for FREE | ✅ | ✅ |
| + 20-30 minutes stop on a deserted beach with free use of our snorkel equipment | ✅ | — |
| Free time for swimming/diving from the catamaran | — | ✅ |
| Kayak Cave Trip in Lagos; an experience to remember! | ✅ | ✅ |
| Online Booking – instant confirmation – 24 hr cancellation for free | Book now | Book now |
Book Now
On Busy Summer Days we are Every Day Fully Booked – Avoid Disappointment – Book Now
Remember, you cancel for free up to 24 hours
Kayak from the Beach
By Boat First, then Kayak
