Sports & Activities
There are a plethora of sports and activities in the Western Algarve to partake including a variety of water sports, fishing and horse riding.
DIVING
Marina Diving Company, Lagos Marina, Loja 30 - 31
Telephone: 282 792728, Mobile : 96 765 9839
New PADI Dive Centre with diving school and equipment rental, including Sea-Doo underwater scooter rental, and two-tank boat dives, inclusive of lunch.
Sea Sports Centre, Praia da Luz
Telephone: 282 789538 On the beachfront. Wreck and night dives, courses in association with PADI, VIT, CMAS and FPAS, equipment rental, compressor, beach shop, open all year.
Ilhas Martinhal, Sagres
Boat based at Marina de Lagos: SY Manchebo, Pontoon E4
Telephone: 282 624736 fax: 282 624425, mobile: 962 525 451
Dives off Sagres, diving courses to all levels
Blue Ocean Divers, Lagos
Telephone: 282 782718 Cave, wreck and night dives. Courses in association with PADI, IAHD, VIT and CMAS. Discover an abundance of sea life, including conger and moray eels, lobster and crayfish. Equipment rental.
The boat operators in Lagos (see fishing) also offer 2 hour snorkelling excursions with all equipment included for around 4,000 esc.
FISHING
The waters around the Sagres/Cape St. Vincent peninsula, where the cold waters of the Atlantic meet the warmer Mediterranean currents, are among the best in Europe for big-game fishing. Magnificent marlin, swordfish, tuna and shark can all be found in these waters. Well-equipped boats, with fishing chair and harness, are available for a day’s fishing including lunch, or for a half-day.
There are several operators based in Lagos, including:
Espadarte do Sul
Doca Pesca, 4, 8600 Lagos
Telephone: 282 761 820
Mobile: 919 433 695
Boats can also be hired for a half-day's coastal bottom fishing.
Line fishing from the rocky outcrops and cliffs all around the peninsula is a popular pastime and often assures a delicious dinner.
Associação Regional de Pesca Desportiva do Algarve, 26 r/c D.D.Af III, 8125-174 Quarteira
Tel: 289 316 079
SAILING
Lagos Marina, 10km from AlmaVerde, has the best facilities of any Portuguese marina, as recognized by its five anchor award.
Clube Vela
Cais Solaria, 8600 Lagos
Tel: 282 762256
Escola de Surf e Vela
Praia Luz, 8600 Luz Lgs1
Tel: 282 789334
SURFING
The long Atlantic rollers sweeping onto the west coast beaches are popular with surfers. Many gravitate to the vast, sandy expanse of Praia do Amado near Carrapateira (20km from AlmaVerde).
The Surf Experience
P O Box 612
8600 Lagos
Telephone: 282 760964
Fax: 282 767288
Website: www.thesurfexperience.de
The Surf Experience runs surf camps based in villa accommodation near Lagos with all meals included. Guests get to experience a good selection of over 20 recommended great local surfing sites.
HORSE RIDING
The open, undulating countryside around AlmaVerde is ideal for riding. The landscape is criss-crossed with old tracks through groves of almond, fig and olive trees, and small vineyards. On the far side of Barão de São Miguel the ecology changes, and the steeper hillsides are covered in rock rose, umbrella pine, cork oak and strawberry trees. In the spring, the fields are carpeted with wild flowers. There are a number of riding centres in the area that cater for all ages and levels of skill, including:
Tiffany’s Riding Center, Almádena
Telephone: 282 697395
http://valegrifo.com/tiffanysriding
Only 2 km from AlmaVerde. Go approximately 7km west from Lagos on the EN125 and look out for the sign on the right after Espiche.
Tiffany’s caters for all the family, including lead reins for tiny tots, beginner’s rides, hacks from one to three hours and all day adventure trails through quiet scenery.
Quinta de Paraíso Alto, Bensafrim
Telephone: 282 687263/687596/789801
Fax: 282 687507/788307
http://www.qpahorseriding.com
Go approximately 7 km north from Lagos on the EN120 towards Bensafrim, take the right turn to Fronteira before Bensafrim, and follow the signs.
One of the largest stables in the area, Quinta de Paraíso Alto offers a variety of quality rides and competition horses, with lessons from qualified instructors, rides to suit all standards, individually or in small groups, through beautiful scenery with breathtaking views. Horses taken for livery and for training.
Options include:
- Restaurant ride with approximately three hours riding plus lunch
- One night West Coast stopover, riding through magical uninhabited countryside to Carrapateira, including restaurant lunch on the way, overnight accommodation in comfortable residençia, early morning beach ride and return ride through the hills and cork woods
- Three day beginner course with three hours per day including instruction in the care and preparation of the horse for riding
Horse Shoe Ranch, Mexilhoeira Grande
Tel/fax: 282 471304
Mobile: 917 627 194/936 613 392
Mexilhoeira Grande is East of Lagos on the EN125 between Odeaxere and Penina.
Petra and Heinz will introduce you to horseriding Western style. Experience the special comfort of a Western saddle on well-trained horses. Beginner to advanced courses. Huge variety of scenic routes, picnic rides, full moon rides.
PARAGLIDING
The headland between the beaches of Castelejo and Cordoama on the far side of Vila do Bispo is a favourite launching spot for paragliding.
For information about microlight flying from Lagos, see: www.gerrybreen.com