Discover the coasts of the Algarve in Stand Up Paddle

There is no doubt that the Stand Up Paddle is the trendy sport on the Algarve coast.

For those of you who are still unfamiliar with this new sport, this is a board similar to those used in surfing but adapted to be able to stand upright while you paddle to move around. It has been practiced in some corners of our planet for a long time, but there are more and more places where you can practice this sport. We tell you everything with the site PaddleInflatable.pro.

A little history of SUP

Paddling on a board is the oldest form of surfing. For centuries, only the kings of Polynesian tribes used to surf this way. Personalities like Dave Kalama or Laird Hamilton made this type of surf popular again and showed the enormous potential of Stand Up Paddling (SUP) with or without waves.

Discover the Algarve in Stand Up Paddle

If you want to experience an unforgettable adventure during your vacation in southern Portugal, you should definitely try the Stand Up Paddle in the Algarve!

Unlike traditional guided tours on land, visiting the Algarve by SUP offers a new and different perspective. Floating offshore on crystal clear waters, you will indeed discover the magnificent southern coast of Portugal.

This will give you access to places like the urban beaches ofAlvor , Armacao da Pera or the natural beaches and coves around the municipality of Carvoeiro. You can also do this activity in other places like the beaches in the west of the region called Vincentian Coast. Finally, you can visit many spaces such as lagoons, caves, estuaries and walk along the cliffs and secret beaches of the Algarve. Indeed, the Algarve surprises the traveler with the rugged relief of its coastline. The many beaches and coves that can be found weave their way between impressive cliffs, forming a spectacular landscape full of natural monuments. One of them is in Benagil, a small place open to the sea, surrounded by hidden caves that can only be discovered on board certain types of boats and SUPs. The most popular is called "El Algar de Benagil".

Benagil is very close to some important towns such as Portimao (15 kilometers to the west) or Albufeira (25 kilometers to the east). There are several accesses to get to Benagil. The most common is to take the detour into the town of Lagoa (14 kilometers north) on the N-125 road. Once in Lagoa we will take the EM-1154 road and in a few minutes we will be at our destination.

Once you arrive at your destination, make your way to the beach. Just before the sand you will find a small stand with information to visit the caves. The company in charge is called Taruga Tours and offers two options: The first is to rent a kayak or SUP to see the nearest caves, an inexpensive proposition. The second is to take a boat trip, which allows you to visit about twenty caves, navigate a little further from the coast and discover the incredible relief of this corner of the Algarve.

Train in SUP and find accommodation on site

There are many schools locally where you can take Stand Up Paddleboarding lessons in Portugal and, if you wish, you can also stay at one of these popular surf camps called 'The Kite House' which is located nearby. from the center of the city of Lagos and the beach of Meia Praia. The Kite House is the perfect place to take a break from the routine and meet many other interesting people from all over the world.

In addition to being able to learn about SUP, you will find accommodation near the sea in the region, making you feel at home with other water sports enthusiasts from all over the world. What else do you need ?

In shallow water, friendly and experienced instructors will show you the basics and balance exercises to help you achieve the right stability in Stand Up Paddle as a beginner. During these calm water excursions you will explore not only fascinating cliffs and caves mounted on modern, comfortable and stable boards, but also beautiful bays and lagoons protected from the wind. If you already have an advanced level of stand up paddle boarding, you can venture out to try Paddle Surfing and go wave hunting on the West Coast!