Imagine swimming into the heart of the iconic Benagil Cave, surrounded by golden cliffs, clear turquoise waters, and sea caves accessible only to those brave enough to dive in.
This is the Algarve at its rawest and most beautiful, and for the very first time, we are bringing our Race Week experience to this incredible coastline!
From the dramatic coastlines of Sagres and Lagos to the hidden gems of Portimão and Carvoeiro, our swim camp seamlessly combines breathtaking clifftop walks with immersive coastal swims. You will experience Praia da Marinha from the water to see why it is consistently named one of Europe’s finest beaches, swimming past sea stacks, through natural tunnels, and into secret marine spots completely unreachable by land, all with expert, specialized safety support leading the way. Beyond the ocean, you will relax in a charming local fishing village, soak up coastal traditions, and enjoy pristine, secluded beaches.
To top it all off, your week of training and exploration builds up to the ultimate grand finale on the final day: taking the start line at the inaugural Oceanman Algarve! Be part of history as this prestigious event takes place in the region for the very first time, putting your skills to the test in either the 5km or 10km race distance.
Are you ready to train, explore, and race in our inaugural Algarve Race Week?
We will meet you at Faro International Airport (FAO), where your transfer will be waiting to greet you. From there, enjoy a smooth and scenic drive of around 45 to 50 minutes through the heart of the region to our hotel in Portimão for check in.
Once settled, we’ll gather for a relaxed welcome lunch with your fellow swimmers, followed by an introductory briefing to go over safety protocols, ocean conditions, and the exciting week ahead.
In the afternoon, we will head straight to the beach for our acclimatization swim in the clear, calm waters of the Algarve. It is the perfect opportunity to adjust to the sea temperature, test your equipment, and enjoy your very first strokes along this incredible coastline.
The first full day of our Algarve adventure takes us to the wild beauty of the western coast. Setting off by motorboat from Praia da Salema, we will head west to explore hidden sea caves, dramatic secret grottoes, and pristine coastal stretches on our way toward the iconic Martinhal Islets.
After completing our swim around these striking rock formations, we will head back on board for a traditional Portuguese lunch.
In the afternoon, we will take a short coastal walk around Ponta da Piedade to soak in the incredible ocean panoramas and marvel at the breathtaking scenery that makes this region so unforgettable.
After breakfast, we'll start exploring the coast of Portimão. We will leave the Portimão Marina in a small boat to our starting point, Praia da Senhora da Rocha. From there, we will swim around breathtaking rock formations, including the Arco de Albandeira, and swim through inland caves which have under-cliff access to the beaches.
After a stunning pass under a double sea arch, we arrive at Praia da Marinha where we will board our support boat again. Returning to the city of Portimão, we will visit the highlight of this tour, the famous “Cathedral” or Cave of Benagil, which we will only visit by boat.
After tasting the local gastronomy, we will walk by Algar Seco, along the Seven Hanging Valleys cliff path.
Our morning begins in Portimão as we set out to swim along one of the Algarve’s best-kept secrets: the pristine headland of Ponta João de Arens. This secluded stretch of coastline is defined by towering limestone cliffs, hidden coves, and dramatic sea stacks scattered throughout the turquoise water. You will navigate around these rocky islets, swimming through natural ocean channels while admiring the rugged beauty of the coastal landscape from the sea.
After completing our morning session, we will gather for a leisurely meal to savor authentic local flavors at Alvor.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to unwind, soak up the sun, and fully recharge as we prepare for the final swim adventure of the trip.
We conclude our expedition in Sagres, a legendary fishing village situated at the edge of the European continent. This final swim takes us directly beneath the dramatic, towering cliffs of the headland, swimming right between the iconic Fortress of Sagres and the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente. You will navigate these powerful waters alongside sheer rock walls, experiencing one of the most awe-inspiring stretches of coastline in the world.
After our swim, we will celebrate the end of our journey with a delicious lunch of locally caught fish.
Known historically as the "End of the World," this dramatic headland features towering cliffs rising straight out of the Atlantic and one of Europe's most powerful lighthouses. It is the perfect, awe-inspiring setting to wrap up an unforgettable week of open-water swimming.
What better way to conclude an incredible race week than by joining the inaugural edition of Oceanman Algarve! On our final day together, swimmers will take on the ultimate challenge, competing in the 5km or 10km race options to cap off an unforgettable week on a high note.
For anyone who wants to celebrate and recharge, you are welcome to extend your stay with an extra night at the hotel to rest and recover after the race.
After celebrating our race achievements, we bid a fond farewell to everyone taking their flights back home. A transfer service will depart from the hotel to Faro International Airport, scheduled according to the group's overall arrival and departure schedule to ensure a smooth and seamless journey.
Thank you for sharing this epic swim adventure across the Algarve with us. Safe travels home, and we hope to see you in the water again soon!
Payment is made in two instalments. A 30% deposit (non-refundable if the traveller cancels) to secure the booking, and a second payment of 70% up to 60 days before the start of the trip. You may also choose to pay the full amount of the trip in a single payment. If the booking is made less than 60 days before the trip date, payment must be made in full.
Most of our trips can accommodate guests who cannot swim; however, please note that this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
This trip is for those who love adventure, making new friends and feeling life pulsing in every moment! If you come with an open mind, a relaxed attitude and a desire to experience the world in a different way, get ready for an unforgettable experience.
It’s important to bear in mind that, as this is an adventure trip, the unexpected can happen.
You might come across animals you don’t usually see in your daily life, the internet might be patchy, the air conditioning might break down, or the shower might not have the pressure and temperature you’re used to. The food might not be quite like your mum’s, and that’s absolutely fine! It’s these little details that make the trip special and authentic. And thank goodness it’s like that – if everything were the same, it wouldn’t be worth leaving home.
If you invite a friend to come along, it’s essential that you let them know about this. At SwimTogether, we don’t want grumpy travellers. Here, a good attitude and a willingness to make the most of every moment are essential!
We usually stay in twin rooms, which may have a double bed or two single beds. Whenever possible, we book double beds for those travelling as a couple. Those travelling alone usually stay in rooms with single beds.
On some occasions, you may choose to stay in a single room. If available, we can accommodate you in a room of your own, subject to an additional charge, the amount of which may vary depending on the travel dates. For further information, please contact us.
The trip is confirmed when all the conditions for it to take place have been met, namely reaching the minimum number of travellers, as well as the completion of all organisational aspects (bookings, transfers, activities, among others). As a rule, confirmation takes place several months before the scheduled date, although it may be delayed until a maximum of 20 days before departure. It is possible that, at the time you make your booking, the trip may already be confirmed.
You should only book your flights after you have paid for the trip and confirmed with SwimTogether that your booking is finalised.
We will then provide you with recommended flights.
Of course you can, but you’ll be on your own until you meet your tour guides and the group at the hotel on the day the adventure begins. If you wish, you can also extend your stay and stay on for a few more days after the SwimTogether trip has finished. In either case, you can arrange to extend your stay directly with us, so you won’t have to worry about changing hotels and/or rooms.
Transfers vary depending on the trip. Normally, there is just one transfer for the whole group on the outward journey and another on the return. Transfer times are set taking into account the recommended flights. On arrival at the destination airport, there will always be a driver holding a SwimTogether sign waiting for travellers. If you choose flights other than those suggested and arrive at the airport earlier, you may wait until the transfer time. The same applies on the return journey: if your flight is later but you wish to use the transfer to the airport, you may do so. If you choose flights whose dates or times do not coincide with those of the transfers, we can organise your transfer at an additional cost.
Throughout the trip, travellers will be accompanied by SwimTogether’s tour guides. You will also be travelling with other participants of various ages and swimming abilities, who may include young students, retired couples, solo travellers, groups of friends, experienced open-water swimmers or people who are not used to swimming outside a pool. Whatever the group’s composition, you can be sure you’ll meet a mix of fascinating personalities from all over the world, united by a shared love of swimming and nature.
Travellers’ dietary restrictions – including vegetarianism and severe allergies – are always taken into account, provided they are communicated in writing and well in advance. However, it is important to bear in mind that it is not always possible to accommodate all dietary requirements. Situations may arise where it is not possible to guarantee a fully suitable meal, and in such cases, it is the traveller’s responsibility to be mindful of their diet and take additional precautions, such as bringing suitable snacks or finding out in advance about the options available at the destination.
As we believe every traveller should have free time to enjoy the destination at their own pace, dinners are not included. This way, everyone can choose where, when and with whom they wish to eat. The average cost is around €25 per meal.
All guests must be aged 18 or over on the start date of our trips, or be accompanied by an adult swimmer if aged between 16 and 18. The trip price is the same as for an adult.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our adventures, and you must provide your policy details before departure so that, in the event of any health issues during the trip, we can make a claim on the traveller’s behalf. Your insurance must provide adequate cover for medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation/repatriation, luggage and equipment, as well as for the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend that your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you are unable to take part in the trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it is essential to carefully review the policy details. SwimTogether can arrange your travel insurance at an additional cost - our proposal can be requested free of charge and with no obligation (request travel insurance).
Alternatively, there are providers specialized in adventure travel, such as IATI, offering a 5% discount to SwimTogether clients and coverage for a wide range of adventure activities.
Please ensure that the policy you choose meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
We recommend that all travellers attend a pre-travel consultation or speak to their doctor between 4 and 8 weeks before departure. There are generally no compulsory vaccinations, but it is important to confirm this with your doctor and to check whether any specific medication is recommended for the trip. We also advise you to check the specific recommendations for your destination.
We can reserve all the seats for you and your friends. This is always subject to availability.
On our trips, we have a wide range of swimming speeds, with participants covering 1 km in open water in between 15 and 30 minutes. As a guideline, guests should be able to swim at least 1 km in 30 minutes. The average pace on SwimTogether trips is 15 to 20 minutes per kilometre, or around 24 to 32 minutes per mile.
One of the advantages of SwimTogether trips is that we accommodate this range of speeds on every trip. At the start of the trip, the guides lead an acclimatisation swim with all participants to group swimmers of similar speeds together. Usually, two speed groups are formed per trip, although this may vary depending on the group.
By dividing swimmers into smaller groups, we ensure that everyone swims at a comfortable pace. On most of our trips, we ask that swimmers be able to swim 1 km (0.6 miles) in 30 minutes to take part.
No. After all, you’re on holiday! If you need to take a break whilst swimming, you can always hop onto the support boat at any time. On trips where we use kayaks instead of boats, the guides will be able to advise you on the various options for getting out of the water and walking parts of the route, wherever possible.
Each group of swimmers is accompanied by its own support boat during each session. On most trips, these boats usually consist of a main semi-rigid boat and a kayak; however, when it is not possible to use motorised boats, the guides accompany the swimmers in support kayaks. The boats and guides are there to ensure safety, provide drinks and snacks, and help with anything you may need throughout the trip.
One of the great joys of open-water swimming is the opportunity to appreciate the incredible variety of wildlife, natural topography and underwater landscapes that most people never get the chance to see. The type of marine life you might encounter varies greatly from place to place. We’ve swum with everything from laid-back sea turtles to unique fish.
This trip takes place in environments where wild animals are present in their natural habitat, with limited or no restrictions 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 any signage in place.
We recommend that you consider your comfort level with wildlife and discuss any concerns with the host before the trip, especially if you have allergies, phobias or other related health conditions.
Tap water in the Algarve is perfectly safe to drink, so you can fill your bottle at the hotel and at various points along the way.
The cost of flights can vary depending on the season, number of stopovers, airline promotions, extras, and other factors. On average, the approximate prices are:
Domestic flight:
- Lisboa (LIS) – Faro (FAO) – Lisboa (LIS): +/- 150€
- Porto (OPO) – Faro (FAO) – Porto (OPO): +/- 150€
Please feel free to email us and we will be happy to assist you: info@swim-together.com
This experience is fully booked. Add your guest and contact information to join the waitlist. We’ll contact you if a new availability opens up, and send you a new link to book.
