Skydiving & paragliding in the Algarve. The best skydiving trip in Albufeira and Alvor + paragliding on the west coast
Skydiving in Albufeira and Alvor & paragliding on the west coast. Experience the Algarve from a great height!
Conquer your fears and step out of a plane at 10,000 or 15,000 feet on a skydive in the Algarve . Check off this bucket list item as you free fall for 20 or 70 seconds, feeling the ground getting closer and closer. After your instructor deploys your parachute, you’ll slowly float toward the landing site, taking in the stunning Algarve coastline.
If you prefer to see the ground approach you a little more slowly, book a paraglide and let the wind take you along the beautiful Algarve coast on a paraglider or paratrike.
Optionally, you can have photos or a video taken of your adventure so you have evidence for the folks back home!
Below you will find the best skydives and paraglides in the Algarve :
💡 Tips for booking a skydive or paraglide in the Algarve (click)
🪂 Check the weather forecast in advance. The Algarve is at its most beautiful when there are no clouds and little wind. This way you will enjoy your flight the most while the sun reflects on the clear blue water of the southern Portuguese coast.
🪂 Most skydives and paragliding activities do not include footage. If it is your first time, it is worth it to have some extra evidence of your adventure for a few tens of euros!
🪂 Paragliding and Paratrikes in Albufeira
From Albufeira tandem flights are organized for paragliding and paratriking. The difference is that with paragliding you hang under a parachute and move with the air currents, while with paratriking you sit in a buggy which has a huge fan that propels your parachute forward. It is not possible to skydive in Albufeira itself, but if you have a rental car and you are in Alvor where you can skydive !
These are the best paragliding and paratrike flights in Albufeira:
1. Tandem flight in Albufeira with
Flyalgarve
⭐ View availability (click)
A really fun and unique experience that you can have in Albufeira is a tandem flight with a paraglide or a paratrike. Fly above the beautiful coastline of the Algarve while the propeller under the parachute lets you float.
With this tandem flight from Flyalgarve you can choose whether you want to make a glider flight with a tandem paraglider or a paratrike .
Depending on the weather conditions, the instructor will let you know which activity is possible that day, but either way you will have an unforgettable flight over the natural beauty of the Algarve.
You can communicate with the instructor during the flight using the headset you receive and, optionally, you can have photos and videos taken for an additional fee.
2. Paragliding Albufeira behind a boat
⭐ View availability (click)
In Albufeira you can also hang in the air behind a speedboat during a paragliding adventure along the Algarve coast! Reach up to 80 meters high and look down at the beautiful blue water with the beautiful Algarve inland in the background.
This is a fun and affordable excursion for the whole family where you float above the water under the colorful parachute at the same time or in turns!
🪂 Skydiving in Portimão / Alvor
In Portimão you can board a plane just outside the city at Alvor at the small airport and then open the door at 10,000 or 15,000 feet and step out. The difference between a 10 and 15k foot adventure is that with the second option you will make a longer free fall before the parachute opens and you float gently back to the airport.
With its beautiful coastline and clear blue waters, the Algarve is the perfect destination for your first (or next) skydive!
This is the best skydive location in Portimão / Alvor:
1. Skydiving Algarve in Alvor
⭐ View availability (click)
Skydive in the Algarve with Skydive seven . Since you get out of the plane above Portimão, you can see all the beautiful sights of the Algarve from the air, such as the Ponta de Piedade, the ports of Lagos and Portimão and the rugged rock formations along the coast. With a skydive from 15,000 feet you have a free fall of 70 seconds, at 10,000 feet 20 seconds.
Please note that as with many skydive centres, footage is not included in the price, but for a few tens of euros you will receive a USB stick with photos and videos of your skydive adventure! The minimum age for a skydive is 16 years and the maximum weight allowed is 100 kg.
🪂 Paragliding on the west coast of the Algarve
In the west of the Algarve, near Praia do Castelejo, you can make a tandem flight along the beautiful rugged cliffs of the west coast. Thanks to the thermals of this area, you can gain height via the rock walls in favorable conditions to make several rounds! Check out this incredibly fun paragliding excursion below:
1. Paragliding with
Paragliding with Nelson
⭐ View availability (click)
This paragliding adventure takes place on the rugged west coast of the Algarve around Praia do Castelejo, of course when conditions permit. The experienced instructor Nelson will calm any nerves you may have, so that you can fully enjoy this unique experience at this beautiful location during this fantastic adventure. The flight lasts about 15 minutes during which you look over the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the green inland on the other.
🪂 Frequently Asked Questions about Skydives and Paragliding in the Algarve (FAQ)
Can you skydive in Albufeira?
Skydiving in the Algarve is only possible in Alvor, the village next to Portimão, which is half an hour’s drive from Albufeira. In Albufeira itself you can’t skydive, but you can make a tandem flight with a paraglide or paratrike.
Is it worth paying extra for footage?
I can speak from my own experience and say that for me it was worth paying extra for footage during my own first skydive in Wanaka, New Zealand.
Although skydiving is an unforgettable experience in itself, having footage can help you keep those memories alive and share them with friends and family. I enjoy watching the footage of my skydive every now and then and remember the feeling of freefalling and floating through the air with the breathtaking views of the New Zealand mountains.
Additionally, the footage captured during your skydive is often high quality and can be edited into professional looking video and/or photos. This can be a great addition to your travel photo album and a fun way to share your skydive experience on social media.
Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to pay extra for footage of your skydive is up to you, but I thought it was worth the extra few bucks!
Is a skydive safe?
It is understandable that you are wondering how safe skydiving actually is. At Skydive Seven in the Algarve, safety comes first and they take extensive measures to ensure that your skydive is as safe as possible.
First of all, all equipment and parachutes are regularly maintained and inspected by certified technicians. Furthermore, the instructors are all trained and certified by the Portuguese Aviation Authority and the United States Parachute Association. They have thousands of jumps experience and are well trained to follow the correct procedures in case of an emergency.
Before you skydive, you will also receive a comprehensive briefing where you will learn all about the jump, the equipment and safety procedures. You will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss any concerns before you take to the skies.
More of our local tips for your Portugal adventure
⭐ Check out our favourite sights in the Algarve on this page
⛵ Check out this overview of all activities you can do in the Algarve
🚗 This is the best car rental company in the Algarve
📌 Discover the top towns and cities to visit in the Algarve here
🏖 These are our favourite beaches in the Algarve
🛎 Get inspired with our local tips for accommodations in the Algarve
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