What is the minimum age to fly?

Minimum age is 18; minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Are there weight limits?

Yes. Weight limits vary with weather and equipment; the operator will assess during booking and check-in.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Flights may be rescheduled or cancelled for safety; the operator offers alternative dates or solutions per booking policy.

Is prior flying experience required?

No prior experience is needed; certified instructors manage takeoff and landing and provide a full safety briefing.

Are videos available?

Yes. Optional edited or raw action-camera videos are available for purchase after the flight.

Is the experience accessible to people with mobility limitations?

People with mobility limitations must contact the operator beforehand for assessment; some adjustments may be possible depending on constraints.

Soar the Algarve Coast: Paratrike Flights Over Portimão and Ria de Alvor

Paratrike com Ramiro offers a rare vantage point over the Algarve coastline, launching from Portimão to glide above beaches, steep cliffs and the shallow channels of the Ria de Alvor. The meeting point is in Portimão, Faro, Portugal, with check-in details provided after booking. You ride seated in a two-person motorised paratrike piloted by a certified instructor who manages takeoff and landing while you absorb panoramic views. Flights run about thirty minutes, ideal for first-timers: the operator provides a safety briefing, full certified equipment and a first-flight certificate. Optional action-camera footage captures the angle of the coast where limestone and sandstone cliffs drop to crescent beaches and tidal flats. The paratrike is calm and accessible; pilots keep the machine low enough to read shoreline features but high enough for wide vistas. What makes this experience distinct is the combination of mechanical reliability and local coastal geology. From the air you can see the estuarine patterns of the Ria de Alvor, an important wetland system, and the serrated profiles of Algarve rock that have been sculpted by waves and wind. The flight frames Portimão’s broad river mouth and the fishing communities that dot the coast, offering both natural and cultural context. Ramiro’s operation emphasizes safety: certified instructors, preflight checks, and a short ground briefing make the trip appropriate for beginners aged 18 and up, subject to weight limits and mobility assessments. Practicalities are straightforward. Arrive five minutes early for check-in; the exact meeting location is sent the day before. Weather governs flights — operators may reschedule for wind or rain — and the route varies with daily conditions. Bring sun protection, a windproof layer and secure footwear for quick run-assisted takeoffs. Expect clear audio instructions during takeoff and landing; photography packages are available if you want edited footage to keep. This paratrike baptism is more than a ride: it’s an orientation to Algarve’s coast that converts maps into lived perspective. For travelers staying in Portimão or nearby Alvor, it’s an efficient way to add a high-adrenaline, low-impact aerial experience to a beach itinerary. Whether you’re testing the idea of flight or chasing a coastal photo from a new angle, Paratrike com Ramiro turns the Algarve shoreline into a readable landscape seen from sixty seconds of silence and thirty minutes of flight. The team speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese, so bilingual briefings are standard; book in advance during high season to secure a preferred slot. The check-in area is near Rotunda do Rio Arade, 8500-802 Portimão, Portugal, and groups are small — usually four participants per session — which keeps flights personal and timing efficient. Expect flexible policies: cancellations or date changes are handled according to safety and weather-related guidelines. Book early.

About Paragliding with Nelson

Paragliding with Nelson is a paragliding operator based in Armação de Pêra, Faro, offering soaring experiences along the Algarve coastline. The business provides a range of guided flights and training packages for different skill levels, including introductory tandem-style first flights, targeted coaching, groundhandling courses, and advanced packages featuring Moustache wings. Sessions include daily weather assessments, flexible scheduling dependent on conditions, and local route knowledge to maximize safe flying opportunities.

Accommodation options are arranged for multi-day coaching and groundhandling packs, with itineraries that adapt to weather and participant skill. Paragliding with Nelson issues a certificate following first-flight lessons to commemorate the experience. Instruction and guidance emphasize safety, practical takeoff and landing techniques, and skill progression; coaching focuses on personalized feedback, cliff and beach flying, and regional flying insights.

The operator highlights hands-on groundhandling training to build confident takeoffs and control. All offerings are delivered from locations around Armação de Pêra and nearby Algarve cliffs, beaches, and hills, taking advantage of scenic coastal thermals and views. The business positions itself as a local specialist that tailors programs to individual goals, from first-time flyers to pilots seeking advanced wing experience. Booking information, trip summaries, and scheduling follow weather-dependent planning to prioritize participant safety and flight quality. Paragliding with Nelson communicates clearly about what each package includes and adapts sessions to suit changing conditions.

The team offers clear pre-flight briefings, equipment checks, and post-flight debriefs to reinforce learning. Local weather knowledge and flexible itineraries support consistent flying opportunities. Online and phone booking available daily.