Kayaking in Lagos, Portugal: Is This Cave Tour Worth It?

I’m always looking for experiences that combine a little adventure with an incredible view, so I knew I’d want to kayak in Lagos when I started planning my time in the Algarve. This was part of my two-week solo trip through Portugal, which took me from Porto all the way down to the Algarve.

Between walking with elephants in Thailand and paragliding over the Swiss Alps, I suppose I have a hard time passing up an activity that gets my heart beating a little faster.

The golden cliffs, sea caves, and clear blue water looked too beautiful to see only from land, so I booked a guided cave tour with Days of Adventure.

Although I had kayaked many times when I lived in Asheville, North Carolina, this was my first time kayaking in the ocean. I was excited, but I also wondered how difficult it would be, whether the water would be rough, and how I would manage it as a solo traveler.

As it turned out, the tour was much easier and more organized than I expected. We traveled to the caves by boat, launched the kayaks directly from the boat, and had support nearby the entire time.

In this post, I’ll share exactly what my Lagos kayaking tour was like, including the boat launch, the sea caves, what I wore, what to bring, and whether I think the experience is worth booking.

This is the exact Lagos kayak tour I booked:

Lagos Kayaking Tour at a Glance

Where the Lagos Kayaking Tour Begins

Check-in for the Days of Adventure tour is at Lagos Marina, close to the train station. It was easy to find, and the company had its own shaded waiting area with tables and chairs. That small detail made the beginning of the morning feel calm and organized.

I arrived early for my 8:45 a.m. tour, hoping to find breakfast nearby, but almost nothing was open. I ended up walking back to a gas station I had passed and grabbing a donut and coffee. It wasn’t the breakfast I had pictured, but it did the job.

If you book an early Lagos kayaking tour, eat before you leave your hotel or bring something with you. You should also arrive early enough to check in without feeling rushed.

After everyone checked in, the crew called our group and led us to the boat. There were two small groups departing around the same time, but everything felt organized rather than crowded.

Taking the Boat to Ponta da Piedade

Once we were on board, the guide explained how the tour would work. We received a short demonstration covering how to hold the paddle, turn, steer, and follow the guide through the caves. Everyone was given a life jacket, and the crew made sure we were comfortable before leaving the marina.

The boat ride to the kayak launch point took about 15 to 20 minutes. As we traveled along the coast, the golden cliffs and blue water around Ponta da Piedade came into view.

Starting the tour by boat was one of the things I liked most about this experience. We didn’t have to launch from a beach or paddle a long distance before reaching the caves. The boat carried us directly to the most scenic part of the coastline, which saved our energy for the actual kayaking.

There were three crew members with us. Two remained on the boat to follow the group and help if needed, while one guide joined us in the water. Knowing the support boat would remain nearby made the tour feel especially manageable for beginners and solo travelers.

What Happens if You’re Kayaking in Lagos Solo?

The kayaks hold two people, but you don’t need to bring a partner. I was paired with another solo traveler who had never kayaked before and was understandably a little nervous.

Because I had more paddling experience, I sat in the back. The person in the back controls most of the steering, while the person in front helps provide power. The guide helped everyone get settled, so no one was expected to figure it out alone.

The launch was much easier than I expected. We sat in the kayaks while they were still on the boat, and the crew slid each kayak down a short ramp and directly into the water. We got a small splash, but we didn’t have to climb into a floating kayak or launch through waves from the beach.

Once everyone was in the water, we practiced a few strokes and turns before following our guide toward the caves of Ponta da Piedade.

Traveling alone should not stop you from booking this tour. The company pairs solo travelers with another guest, and the crew helps everyone get comfortable before the group begins paddling.

Kayaking Through the Lagos Sea Caves

This was the part I had been waiting for. We followed our guide beneath natural arches, through narrow cave entrances, and into small coves surrounded by golden cliffs.

The water was calm during my tour, and the two-person kayaks felt stable. No one in our group capsized, including the people who had never kayaked before. We stayed close to the guide, and the support boat followed nearby if anyone needed help.

Most of the caves were quiet when we entered. We occasionally passed another kayak or small boat, but our guide spaced things out so the experience rarely felt crowded.

Along the way, the guide pointed out unusual rock formations, including one that looks like a camel, and shared bits of local history. Kayaking allowed us to get much closer to the cliffs and caves than we could have on a larger sightseeing boat.

Praia da Dona Ana is one of the beautiful beaches along this part of the Lagos coastline, surrounded by the same dramatic golden cliffs that make this area so incredible from the water.

The guide also pointed out the boardwalk running across the cliffs above us. I walked that route later and saw the same coastline from an entirely different angle. If you have time, I recommend doing both. You can read about the route in my Lagos coastal walk guide.

As a matter of fact, I took the two pictures above from that hike!

Will You Get Wet While Kayaking in Lagos?

You can leave bags and other belongings on the boat while you kayak. I left everything behind except my phone, which I kept in a waterproof case attached to a wrist strap.

The guides did not take photos during my tour, so bring your own waterproof setup if you want pictures inside the caves. I used the same phone case and wrist strap that I took on my Komodo Islands boat tour. Holding my phone over the water still made me a little nervous, but I was glad I had it with me.

We spent about an hour kayaking. When we finished, the crew pulled each kayak back up the ramp and onto the boat. I got splashed during the launch, but I was never completely soaked.

Once the kayaks were stored, the crew opened a bright orange slide from the front of the boat for anyone who wanted to swim. Most people tried it. I skipped that part because the ocean was too cold for this Florida girl. Anything under 80 degrees feels freezing to me!

You don’t need to swim or use the slide to take the tour. Swimming is completely optional. However, you should still wear clothing that can get wet because splashes are part of the experience.

What to Wear Kayaking in Lagos

I wore a bathing suit under a T-shirt and shorts, along with my Keen water sandals. This worked well because everything could handle getting splashed and dried fairly quickly afterward.

You don’t need special kayaking clothes, but wear something comfortable that you don’t mind getting wet. Water shoes or secure sandals are a better choice than flip-flops, especially when getting on and off the boat.

I also brought sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, and water. The sun reflects off the ocean, and there isn’t any shade once you begin kayaking.

I didn’t bring a towel because I wasn’t planning to swim. If you want to use the boat’s slide or take a swim afterward, bring a small quick-drying towel and a change of clothes.

For the tour, I recommend bringing:

• A bathing suit
• A T-shirt or sun-protective shirt
• Shorts or quick-drying bottoms
• Water shoes or secure sandals
• Sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Drinking water
• A waterproof phone case with a wrist strap
• A small towel if you plan to swim

Leave anything you don’t need in your bag on the support boat. You’ll be more comfortable kayaking without extra items in your lap.

Tips for Booking a Lagos Kayaking Tour

Book Your Tour in Advance

Kayaking is one of the most popular activities in Lagos, especially during the summer. Booking ahead gives you a better choice of departure times and prevents you from missing out if tours sell out.

Consider a Morning Tour

I booked the 8:45 a.m. tour and liked being on the water earlier in the day. The temperature was comfortable, the light on the cliffs was beautiful, and the caves didn’t feel overly crowded.

Water conditions can change from day to day, so an early tour does not guarantee calm water. Tour companies monitor the weather and may change or cancel trips when conditions are unsafe.

Eat Breakfast Before You Arrive

Very few places near the marina were open before my tour. Eat at your hotel, bring something with you, or check opening hours before assuming you’ll find breakfast nearby.

Protect Your Phone

The guides did not take photos during my tour. If you want pictures, bring a waterproof phone case with a secure wrist or neck strap. Test the case before your trip to make sure it seals properly.

Don’t Worry if You’re a Beginner

You receive basic paddling instructions, the kayaks feel stable, and the support boat remains nearby. You also don’t have to paddle all the way from Lagos Marina to Ponta da Piedade because the boat transports you to the main kayaking area.

Check the Cancellation Policy

Kayak tours depend on ocean conditions. Review the cancellation and rescheduling policy before booking, especially if you only have one day available in Lagos.

This is the Lagos Kayaking Tour I Booked

Because departure times can fill up, especially during the busier months, it’s a good idea to check availability for this Lagos kayaking tour before your trip.

Is Kayaking in Lagos Worth It?

Yes, I think kayaking in Lagos is absolutely worth it. Seeing the caves, arches, and golden cliffs from water level gave me a completely different view of Ponta da Piedade.

I especially liked the way Days of Adventure organized the tour. Taking a boat to the launch point meant we didn’t waste energy paddling a long distance before reaching the caves. The crew explained everything clearly, helped us into the kayaks, and kept the support boat nearby.

It was also easy to do as a solo traveler. I didn’t need to find someone to book with, and being paired with another solo traveler felt completely natural.

You don’t need previous kayaking experience, but you should be comfortable sitting in a kayak and doing some paddling for about an hour. If kayaking makes you nervous, the instructions, stable two-person kayaks, and nearby support boat make this a good tour for trying it for the first time.

And for me, that’s a big part of why I loved it. I get excited anytime I can add something a little adventurous to a trip, especially when it gets me outside and lets me see a place in a completely different way. Kayaking through the caves of Ponta da Piedade definitely checked those boxes.

If you want to see Ponta da Piedade up close instead of only looking down from the cliffs, this Lagos kayaking tour is one I highly recommend booking.