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Combine an easy coastal paddle with snorkelling in the clear Atlantic waters of Parque Marinho Professor Luiz Saldanha. A guided half-day pairs relaxed double-kayak time with a stop above seagrass and rocky reef to spot fish and coastal marine life.
After a welcome and kit check at the meeting point, you launch double kayaks along the sheltered bays beneath the Arrábida hills. The pace stays relaxed so first-time paddlers can find their rhythm while the guide points out landmarks along the limestone cliffs and hidden coves.
Midway through the session you anchor in calm water inside the marine park and switch to snorkelling. Floating above seagrass and rocky reef, you can watch small fish, crustaceans and other coastal life in some of Portugal's clearest near-shore water before heading back to shore.
Arrábida Natural Park sits south of Lisbon where forested hills drop straight into deep blue Atlantic bays. The coastline here is protected, which keeps the water unusually clear and rich with marine life compared with busier urban beaches.
Sessions run from the Setúbal side of the park, giving you wide views across the Sado estuary and the open sea. It is an easy day trip from Lisbon or a natural add-on if you are already exploring the Setúbal Peninsula, Sesimbra or the wine country around Azeitão.
No prior paddling or snorkelling experience is needed. The route uses stable double kayaks on sheltered water, and guides brief you on technique, entering the water safely and using the snorkel kit before you set off.
You should be comfortable in the sea and able to swim short distances with a buoyancy aid. Minimum age is 10, and younger guests must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If you have concerns about fitness, breathing or ear pressure, ask the team before you book.
Guides know these bays intimately and choose launch spots and snorkel stops according to the day's conditions, so you spend less time guessing and more time on the water. Kayaks, wetsuits, snorkel masks and safety cover are included, which keeps the session straightforward from arrival to finish.
Small groups keep the briefing personal and the pace unhurried, whether you are here for your first paddle or your first look beneath Arrábida's surface. It is a compact half-day that still feels like a proper coastal adventure.
Meet at the launch point marked F2G8+76 in Setúbal, on the Arrábida coast where the session begins. Aim to arrive around 15 minutes early so the team can fit wetsuits, hand out paddles and run through the safety briefing before you head onto the water.
From central Setúbal, follow signs toward the Arrábida Natural Park coastline. Parking is available close to the meeting area; if you are unsure of the exact spot on the day, contact the team before you travel and they will confirm directions.
No. This session is designed for beginners and uses stable double kayaks on sheltered water close to shore. Guides explain basic paddling strokes, how to enter and exit the kayak, and how to use the snorkel kit before you head out.
If you have never snorkelled before, the team will help you adjust your mask, practice breathing at the surface and build confidence in calm water before you explore the marine park.
The paddling section is rated easy and follows a relaxed pace along the coast rather than a long-distance crossing. You should be comfortable sitting in a kayak for up to an hour at a time and able to swim short distances with a buoyancy aid.
Snorkelling is done from the kayak or in shallow calm water, so you do not need advanced fitness. If you have shoulder, back or heart concerns, mention them when you book so the team can advise whether this session suits you.
Guests must be at least 10 years old to join this activity. Children paddle in double kayaks with an adult and must follow guide instructions throughout the session.
All under-18s should be accompanied by a responsible adult who is also taking part. If you are booking for a mixed-age family, ask the team about pairing younger paddlers with experienced adults in the group.
Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can change quickly into the provided wetsuit. Bring a towel, sun cream, a hat and a bottle of water; secure water shoes or old trainers work well for getting in and out of the kayak.
Leave valuables ashore if you can. The team provides kayaks, paddles, wetsuits and snorkel equipment, but you will want a warm layer for the ride home after time in the water.
Guides run a full safety briefing before launch, including how to use buoyancy aids, paddle safely and signal if you need help. Sessions use double kayaks on sheltered coastal water, and snorkelling takes place in calm areas chosen on the day.
Weather and sea conditions are checked before the session starts. If conditions are unsuitable, the team may reschedule and will be in touch with you as early as possible.
Plan for around three hours in total from meeting the guide to returning your kit at the end. That includes briefing, paddling along the Arrábida coast, the snorkelling stop in Parque Marinho Luiz Saldanha and the return paddle.
Exact timings can shift slightly with tides, wind and group pace. Arriving a little early helps the session start smoothly so you make the most of your time on the water.
Coastal kayaking and snorkelling depend on calm enough wind and sea state for safe paddling and clear visibility. If the forecast looks unsuitable, the team may postpone the session and will contact you to arrange another date.
Light cloud or cooler air rarely stops the activity when the water remains calm. If you are unsure on the morning of your session, reach out to the team for a quick conditions check.
Parque Marinho Professor Luiz Saldanha protects seagrass meadows, rocky reef and the fish and invertebrates that live there. On a clear day you may spot small fish, crabs, sea urchins and other coastal species while snorkelling.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed because conditions and seasons change, but the park is one of the best near-shore snorkelling areas on the Setúbal coast. Guides know where visibility is usually strongest on the day.
Many guests are new to snorkelling or unsure about open water. The team starts in calm, shallow areas where you can practice with your mask and snorkel while holding onto the kayak or staying close to the guide.
You can skip the snorkelling portion and stay in the kayak if you prefer, though most people gain confidence quickly once they see how clear and sheltered the water is. Tell your guide how you feel and they will adapt the pace.
The meeting point is at F2G8+76 Setúbal on the Arrábida coast, where the kayaks launch. Full directions are shared after booking, and the team can clarify the pin if you are travelling from Lisbon, Setúbal town or Sesimbra.
Allow a few extra minutes for parking and changing into wetsuits before the scheduled start. If you are running late or cannot find the launch area, contact the team so they can guide you in.
About the centre
Setúbal
Based on Portugal's Setúbal coast, this outdoor team runs guided adventures across Arrábida, Sintra and Sesimbra — from canoeing and stand-up paddle to climbing, rappelling, coasteering and jeep tours. Days are built around national-park scenery, clear Atlantic water and well-briefed, equipment-ready sessions.
Guests join small guided groups with kit and safety cover included for the activity. Meeting points sit close to the trails, cliffs and coves used that day, so the focus stays on the experience rather than long transfers.
Operated by Discover The Nature, a partner of adventuro.
