Portimão Hidden Paradise Tour

5.0 - Based on 15 travel reviews
  • 3 km
  • 3-4 Hours
  • Sea
  • 16ºC - 23ºC (61ºF - 73ºF)

  • Swim through breathtaking limestone gateways and sculpted rock formations that define this rugged coastline
  • Explore hidden grottos and secluded sea caves accessible only by water
  • Enjoy a circular loop perfect for swimmers of all levels

Portimão is a town with a population of 40,000 people, would you believe that right on its doorstep are some of the most magical caves and natural rock formations on the Algarve? Neither did we, but it’s true!

Discover the caves and grottos that this day trip covers, right under the skyline of Portimão. Swim amongst the diverse marine life that the Algarve boasts, it’s amazing!

Half-Day Tour :
The Hidden Paradise

During this day we will swim along the coast from Alvor to Portimão, exploring this hidden gem of the Algarve coast.

Perfect for those that need a break from work and wanted to spend some time in open water.

Included

  • Personal Accidents Insurance
  • Accompanied by experienced guides

Not Included

  • Equipment
  • Anything not mention in the "included" section
How long does the tour last approximately?

The tour usually lasts between 2 and 4 hours, including travel, preparation, briefing, swimming adventure, lunch, and rest breaks.

What happens in case of bad weather?

In case of adverse weather conditions, the tour may be postponed or canceled, with options for rescheduling or refunds. Initially, we will always try to choose an alternative swimming location.

I don't have a wetsuit or buoyancy aid. Can I rent one?

Yes, equipment such as buoyancy aids and wetsuits may be available for rent upon prior request.

Can I bring food and/or drinks?

Yes. We advise hydration before and after the tour, and recommend bringing food that you are used to eating during physical activity.

How can I book?

Reservations are made online through our website, with instant confirmation by email. We recommend booking in advance, as groups are small.

How is payment processed?

Payment is made in full at one time.

Can I bring a companion who cannot swim?

Most of our trips can accommodate guests who cannot swim; however, please note that this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Is this experience for me?

This experience is for those who love adventure, making new friends, and feeling life pulsing in every moment! If you come with an open mind, relaxed, and eager to see the world in a different way, get ready for an unforgettable experience.

It is important to bear in mind that, as this is an adventure, unforeseen events may occur. You may encounter animals that you don't usually see in your daily life, the internet may be unstable, and the food may not be the same as your mother's, and that's okay! It is these details that make the experience special and genuine. But that's a good thing, because if everything were the same, it wouldn't be worth leaving home.

If you invite a friend to come with you, it is essential that you inform them of this. At SwimTogether, we don't want grumpy travelers. Here, a good mood and the desire to enjoy every moment are essential!

Is the transfer included?

No, transfers to the meeting point are not included.

Who will I be sharing this swimming experience with?

Throughout the adventure, travelers will be accompanied by SwimTogether guides. They will also travel with other participants of various ages and swimming abilities, which may include young students, retired couples, solo travelers, groups of friends, experienced open water swimmers, or people who are not used to swimming outside of a pool. Whatever the composition of the group, you can be sure that you will meet a mix of fascinating personalities from all over the world, united by a common love of swimming and nature.

Are there age restrictions for participating in a SwimTogether trip?

All guests must be 18 years or older on the start date of our adventures or be accompanied by an adult swimmer if they are between 16 and 18 years old. The price of the experience is the same as for an adult.

How many places on the tour can I buy at once?

You can reserve all the places for yourself and your friends. It always depends on the availability of the experience.

How fast should I swim?

In our activities, we have a wide range of speeds, with participants swimming 1 km in open water in between 15 and 30 minutes. As a reference, guests should be able to swim at least 1 km in 30 minutes. The average speed in SwimTogether experiences is 15 to 20 minutes per kilometer, about 24 to 32 minutes per mile.

In private activities, you don't need to worry. The entire adventure will be tailored to your swimming level.

Do I have to complete all the swims?

No. After all, you're on vacation! For private tours or small groups, we will adapt the swimming route according to your swimming level and comfort in the water. For larger groups, if you need to take a break during the swim, you can always get on the support boat at any time. On trips where we use kayaks instead of boats, the guides can advise you on the various options for getting out of the water and walking different parts of the route, whenever possible.

What kind of support is provided during swimming?

Most of our tours are private or in small groups. In these situations, your guide will accompany you in the water, swimming side by side and at your swimming pace.

For larger groups, each group of swimmers is accompanied by their own support boat in each session. On most adventures, these boats usually consist of a semi-rigid main boat and a kayak; however, when motorized boats cannot be used, guides accompany swimmers in support kayaks. The boats and guides are there to ensure safety, provide drinks and snacks, and help with anything you need throughout the experience.

Do we see marine life while swimming?

One of the great joys of open water swimming is the opportunity to enjoy the incredible variety of wildlife, natural topography, and underwater landscapes that most people never get to see. The type of marine life you may encounter varies greatly from place to place. We have swum with everything from curious stingrays and sea lions to laid-back sea turtles and unique fish.

Encounters with wildlife: what factors should you take into account?

This experience takes place in environments where wild animals live in their natural habitat, with limited or no protection or control over their movements. Some species may be dangerous, poisonous, or unpredictable. Observing these animals is a privilege, but safety must always be a priority. You must strictly follow the guide's instructions and the existing signage.

We recommend that you consider your comfort level with wildlife and discuss any concerns with the host before the activity, especially if you have allergies, phobias, or other related health conditions.

Do you have any other questions?

You can send us an email and we will be happy to answer you: info@swim-together.com

Overall Trip Rating:

Total Reviews 15
Average Rating
5.0
Based on 15 travel reviews
😀 5 Excellent
15

🙂

4 Very Good
0

😕

3 Average
0

🙁

2 Poor
0

😡

1 Terrible
0
Write a Review
  1. Verified Purchase
    By Martina Albrecht Julho 8, 2026 A fantastic morning with a guided swim tour
    I had a fantastic morning with a guided swim tour at Praia do Alemã /Portimão. Clear water, impressive coastline with arches, caves, large rocks and schools of fish. Booking and contact were very easy. Well organized swim about 2hour water time. Guide was well informed about my preferences and swim pace, took care during the swim, and servered me (as she said) a Bola de Berlim as a kind of "finishing trophy". Water, banana, and a swim cap were also provided. I would like to swim with SwimTogether at some other spots. Thanks for the experience!
    Reply
  2. Verified Purchase
    By Ana Rodrigues Junho 3, 2026 Passeio Espetacular! 👌😀
    Passeios espetaculares, com paisagens maravilhosas e guias muito atenciosos e simpáticos, a repetir 👌😀
    Reply
  3. Verified Purchase
    By Kieran E Julho 30, 2025 5 Stars 🤩🤩
    Fantastic experience with Claudia & Carlos on the Sea swimming Cave tour. A Brilliant way to discover Portimao’s magical coastline. Thanks again.. 5 Stars.. 🤩🤩🤩
    Reply
  4. Verified Purchase
    By Joyce Muhlschlegel Março 14, 2025 Absolutely wonderful swim!
    Absolutely wonderful swim with Ricardo today. The location and scenary were stunning. Ricardo was incredibly knowledgeable about the area and I learned a huge amount -not only about the location but also great tips to improve my swimming technique. I can only strongly recommend swimming with this company. Very well organised. Great communication. Altogether a fantastic experience and way to get to know the area. I will definitely be back!
    Reply
  5. Verified Purchase
    By Jess Sá Novembro 1, 2024 Espero voltar para um Swim Camp no futuro!
    Foi uma experiência mágica, tour de natação no Algarve com Ricardo e Mariana. O guia conhece toda área, até cada pedra, e foi muito atencioso e divertido. Amei o tour de natação, estava um pouco ansiosa porque foi a primeira vez nadando uma longa distância no mar, mas os guias realmente me deram uma sensação muito grande de segurança. Agradeço e espero voltar para um Swim Camp no futuro!
    Reply
  6. Verified Purchase
    By Mohit Kohli Outubro 17, 2024 Andre went above and beyond to provide me with invaluable guidance
    I recently reached out to Andre at SwimTogether for advice on swim routes during my off-season trip to Portugal. Despite being outside of the usual season, Andre went above and beyond to provide me with invaluable guidance. His responsiveness and willingness to assist greatly enhanced my knowledge of swimming the the Portuguese waters . I highly appreciate his expertise and commendable customer service. If you're a swim enthusiast visiting Portugal, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to Andre at SwimTogether for personalized and reliable support.
    Reply
  7. Verified Purchase
    By Katy Smith Setembro 25, 2024 In and out of caves
    Had an amazing winter swim today with Ricardo. In and out of the caves and discovering deserted beaches. A must-do for any swimmer coming to the Algarve. Highly recommend! I can’t wait to come back for another Swim Together!
    Reply
  8. Verified Purchase
    By Martina Albrecht Setembro 7, 2024 Guided Swim Tour at Praia do Alemão
    I had a fantastic morning with a guided swim tour at Praia do Alemao / Portimao. Clear water, impressive coastline with arches, caves, large rocks and schools of fish. Booking and contact were very easy. Well organized swim about 2hour water time. Guide was well informed about my preferences and swim pace, took care during the swim, and servered me (as she said) a Balo de Berlim as a kind "finishing trophy". Water, banana, and a swim cap were also provided. I would like to swim with SwimTogether at some other spots. Thanks for the experience
    Reply
  9. Verified Purchase
    By Carlos Lopes Julho 18, 2024 Definitely doing it again!
    Great experience with swim together. Ricardo was the best,very knowledgeable about swimming,knew about all the amazing hidden places and marine life. Definitely doing it again!
    Reply
  10. Verified Purchase
    By Elaine Zamonski Junho 21, 2024 An incredibly experienced and knowledgeable local swim professional,
    If you are a swimmer, and you’re coming to Portugal, you must book an open water swim with Swim Together - they were excellent at communicating with me back and forth to arrange a swim for my teen daughter and me. Their message responses were incredibly quick, friendly and detailed, and the swim itself was astounding. This region is so gorgeous, and the view below from your goggles is even more beautiful than you can imagine. Our guide, Ricardo, is an incredibly experienced and knowledgeable local swim professional, and his joy and love for this coast comes through in his tour. His background in coaching, not to mention his love of sharing his passion for swimming, made him an unbelievable guide for our swim experience. If you love to swim, you must do this.
    Reply
  11. Verified Purchase
    By Celu Ramasamy Junho 13, 2024 Highly recommend these tours!
    Ricardo is Awesome!! Highly recommend his tours if you want a unique way to explore the algarve beaches through open water swimming.
    Reply
  12. Verified Purchase
    By Janaina Belem Fevereiro 14, 2024 Experiência incrível!
    Experiência incrível! O tour foi uma bela oportunidade para conhecer um pouco de outro lugar e cultura. Fazer isso a partir da natação foi top! Desde o primeiro contato com o pessoal da Swim Together sempre fui bem atendida. Meu guia foi o Ricardo, muito profissional, cordial, simpático, além esbanjar conhecimento! Obrigada Swim Together 💙
    Reply
  13. Verified Purchase
    By Randi Roisli Janeiro 18, 2024 Fantastic sea swim
    Fantastic sea swim with Ricardo today - weather and waves were perfect, we swam under arch formations and stopped at beaches only reachable from the water. Ricardo is a great swim guide, he made sure we knew the route we were headed along, checked all was fine along the way and shared so much about the bird life and nature around us. We really enjoyed our swim and recommend SwimTogether!
    Reply
  14. Verified Purchase
    By Peter Furtado Fevereiro 23, 2023 Spectacular Swim!
    My guide, Ricardo, is a very experienced swimmer and a great guide to swim with. He fully explained everything we were going to do in detail, and checked in with me often during our swim. After waiting for some days for the conditions to improve, he planned a great swim for us. We swam from Praia da Ingrina to Praia do Barranco and back. And he picked a perfect day and place, wow. We swam into caves, and saw tons of fish and birds. He's from this area in The Algarve, and provided a lot of local knowledge also. I would definitely recommend SwimTogether for a fantastic open water swimming experience in Portugal! In fact, I'm going to go on another swim with Ricardo in the next week or so!
    Reply
  15. Verified Purchase
    By Chris Janeiro 17, 2023 Morning swim Praia Da Marinha
    Swimming at a wonderful location with a great guide and experienced instructor.
    Reply

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