2 h 30
€50
per participant
Cascais coast
Turquoise coves inside the marine reserve — closest to Guincho, ideal for a half-day.
SEA KAYAK
PADDLE THE ATLANTIC COVES
Guided sea kayak tours along the Cascais coast, Sesimbra caves and the Arrábida cliffs.
About the tour
What you're signing up for
Three destinations, three moods. The Cascais half-day is the closest — turquoise coves and small caves inside a marine reserve, ideal if you're staying near Guincho. Sesimbra is a bigger day-out south of Lisbon with limestone sea caves. Arrábida is the postcard trip: white-sand beaches, cliffs, dolphins if you're lucky.
All kayaks are stable sit-on-tops. Guides are qualified, briefings are thorough, and every trip is scaled to the group's level.
Longer trips include lunch stops on hidden beaches you can only reach by water. Bring a swimsuit — you'll want to jump in.
Which paddle for which day
The Cascais half-day is the one to book if you're already in Guincho and want to be back by lunch — 2 h 30 in and out of small coves inside the marine reserve, right on our doorstep. Sesimbra is the caves trip: an hour's drive south of Lisbon, then a full day paddling into limestone sea caves you can only reach by water. Arrábida is the scenery trip — same drive, but the coastline is the wild white-cliff-and-turquoise-water Portugal you see on postcards. Same guide, same kayaks, same safety kit for all three; the difference is the coast and the length of day.
A typical full-day looks like this: meet at Guincho at 09:00, drive to Sesimbra or Arrábida (included), safety briefing on the beach, three to four hours of easy paddling broken up by cave stops and a swim, lunch on a beach you can't drive to, then paddle back. Back at Guincho by late afternoon. The Cascais half-day is the same shape but shorter and closer.
Durations & prices
Pick your ride
Prices do not include VAT.
Peak season note: August weekends fill first — book 3–5 days ahead. Weekday mornings are the easiest to get.
7 hours
€75
per participant
Sesimbra caves
Full-day trip south of Lisbon — limestone sea caves and hidden beach lunch.
8 hours
€75
per participant
Arrábida Natural Park
White cliffs, clear water, wild beaches — the biggest full-day option.
What's included
- •Kayak, paddle, life jacket, dry bag.
- •Qualified guide + safety briefing.
- •Transfer from Cascais to Sesimbra / Arrábida on the full-day trips.
- •Water; lunch included on Sesimbra and Arrábida.
What to bring
- •Swimsuit worn under clothing.
- •Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap.
- •Change of clothes for after the paddle.
- •A phone in a waterproof case, if you must — otherwise leave it in the car.
Requirements
- •Basic swimming ability required.
- •Kids age 12+ welcome with an adult.
- •[DRAFT] Full-day trips have a small minimum-group threshold — get in touch to confirm.
Meeting point
Meet at the Guincho office
Rua da Areia n.º 1306, Areia, 2750-095 Cascais — 20 min from Sintra, 30 min from Lisbon. For the Cascais half-day the launch beach is a 5-minute walk from the office. For Sesimbra and Arrábida we drive you from Guincho (~1 hour each way, included) and back at the end.
Travelling from Lisbon by train? Take Cais do Sodré → Cascais (40 min), then a 10-minute Uber or taxi to Guincho (~€10).
Frequently asked
Before you book
+Do I need kayak experience?
No. The kayaks are stable sit-on-tops — you sit above the water, not enclosed inside a boat. Every trip starts with a briefing and the guide picks a pace the whole group is comfortable with. If you can swim, you can paddle these.
+I'm not a strong swimmer — can I still come?
You need to be comfortable in the water and confident you could stay afloat if you tipped in — which almost never happens with sit-on-tops. Life jackets are compulsory and provided. If you don't swim at all, this isn't the right tour; the Jeep Sintra tour is a good alternative.
+Which trip should I pick if I only have one day?
If you're near Guincho, the Cascais half-day is the easy answer — kayak in the morning, still your afternoon. If you want a proper full-day adventure and can spare the drive, Sesimbra for caves or Arrábida for scenery. Arrábida is the one most people say was the highlight of their trip.
+Can I bring kids?
Yes, from age 12 with an adult. Each kayak holds one paddler; a child rides in a double with their parent. Under 12 the trips are too long — the Cascais coastal quad tour is a better fit for younger families.
+What if the weather turns?
We paddle in most weather — a bit of wind and drizzle is normal on the Atlantic. If conditions are genuinely unsafe (heavy wind, big swell) we cancel that morning and either move you to another date at no cost or refund in full.
+When's the best time of year?
May–October is peak season — warmest water, longest days, most consistent conditions. April and November work on clear days. Winter trips are rare — get in touch and we'll tell you honestly whether the forecast will hold.
+How do I book Sesimbra or Arrábida?
Email us your dates and group size. Both full-day trips have a small minimum group to run, so we sometimes combine you with another party — we'll tell you the situation before you commit.
Book by email
Tell us your date
Every enquiry lands in Arlindo's inbox — usually a same-day reply.
EMAIL US TO BOOKor call +351 934 479 075