Is prior open water swimming experience required?

Yes, swimmers should be comfortable in open water and able to swim approximately 3 kilometers.

What safety measures are in place?

Experienced guides accompany all swims, with boat and kayak support available for groups.

Are wetsuits and gear provided?

Equipment is not included; participants need to bring their own swimming gear and wetsuits.

Can non-swimmers join the tour?

Non-swimmers can join as spectators on the boat but cannot participate in the swimming portion.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Yes, the tour includes lunch at a typical Portuguese tavern, with vegetarian options available.

What wildlife might we see during the trip?

Dolphins are commonly spotted during the boat ride, along with diverse marine fish species around the caves.

Swim Together’s Sesimbra Beach and Cave Tour Adventure | Boat Tour | Snorkel

Set along Portugal’s sun-drenched southwestern coast, the Sesimbra Beach and Cave Tour by Swim Together offers a distinct aquatic journey through one of Europe’s most pristine marine environments. Starting at the lively Marina de Sesimbra, this guided experience leads you by boat to the remote Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, a stretch of coastline marked by steep cliffs, clear waters, and secretive caves carved over millennia. The main attraction is the approximately 3-kilometer swim through turquoise and emerald waters, weaving past natural arches and dramatic rock formations unique to the region’s limestone shores.

Ribeira do Cavalo Beach remains relatively untouched by mass tourism due to its accessibility constraints, preserving a wild character where local marine life thrives. Swim Together complements this natural setting with experienced guides and safety support, including kayaks and boats, ensuring the swim is both secure and immersive. Along the route, swimmers navigate through crystal-clear inlets and caverns, glimpsing shimmering schools of fish under the sunlit surface.

After the swim, the journey continues back to Sesimbra by boat where dolphins frequently accompany the group, adding a magical wildlife encounter. The day finishes with a hearty lunch at a traditional Portuguese tavern savoring local flavors that connect you with the region’s culinary heritage.

Beyond the swim, guests have the option to linger in Sesimbra, a fishing town steeped in maritime history, reinforcing the cultural appeal of this coastal adventure. Swim Together’s tour is a standout within Portugal’s outdoors scene for combining the exhilaration of open-water swimming with geological wonders and authentic cultural experiences. For those drawn to active water-based travel near Lisbon, this tour promises lasting memories grounded in nature and tradition.

About Swim Together

Swim Together is a specialist operator offering guided open‑water swimming tours and multi‑day swim camps across Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe. The company curates coastal and island swim experiences that range from half‑day cave and coastline swims to a seven‑day swim camp in São Tomé and Príncipe. Trips include cave explorations (Benagil, Lagos, Sagres), protected marine reserves (Garajau), island coastlines (Madeira, Ponta São Lourenço), and sandy Algarve beaches. Many experiences are led by experienced instructors and local guides who tailor routes to swimmer skill levels and safety conditions.

Swim Together focuses on accessible, skill‑based open‑water sessions, combining navigation of sea caves, guided coastal swims, boat transfers, and onshore returns. Several tours include opportunities to spot marine life and dolphins, and some multi‑day itineraries feature cultural exploration, hiking to waterfalls, local cuisine, and wildlife events such as the release of baby turtles. The São Tomé and Príncipe Swim Camp includes an equator crossing experience and immersive island activities.

Service offerings are factual and clearly described per trip: half‑day tours, full‑day beach and cave adventures, boat returns, and week‑long swim camps. Routes and distances (for example, multi‑kilometre cave swims around Ponte da Piedade and Benagil) are presented within trip details so swimmers can assess suitability. Booking information, meeting points, and required equipment are specified in each trip listing. Swim Together presents a focused portfolio for travelers seeking guided open‑water swimming and coastal exploration in Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe. Trip difficulty levels and safety protocols are listed per excursion online.