Deep Water Cave Explorer
- 3 hours
- Up to 8
- Intermediate+
- Good Feeling Surf School, Vila do Bispo
Swim through arches, snorkel inside hidden caverns and jump from progressively higher ledges.
This is the classic coasteering route with the safety net of shallow water taken away. Everything on it happens over deep water: the jumps land in five metres or more, the swim-throughs have no standing point, and the caves are entered by swimming rather than scrambling. If you did the Classic route and spent the whole time wanting to go higher, this is the one.
The route is further west along the Costa Vicentina, on a section of coast that only works in a narrow window of swell and tide, which is why we run it less often. You get three sea caves rather than one, a long snorkel section inside a cavern where the light comes up through the water from below, and jumps up to around eight metres for those who want them.
Nothing here is more dangerous than the Classic route — the guiding and the equipment are identical. It is simply more committing, and you need to be a genuinely comfortable open-water swimmer.
Highlights
- Three sea caves, all entered by swimming
- Snorkel section inside a cavern lit from below the surface
- Jumps up to around eight metres, all optional
- Deep-water landings throughout — no shallow bail-outs
- Run only on the right tide and swell, so numbers stay low
Itinerary
- 0:00 – 0:25
Kit and brief
Wetsuit, helmet, buoyancy aid, shoes, plus masks and snorkels for this route. Longer safety brief than the Classic because of the deep-water entries.
- 0:25 – 1:00
Committing entry
Straight into deep water and a swim to the first headland. This is where you find out how you feel about it — and where your guide checks the same.
- 1:00 – 1:50
The cavern
Into the largest of the three caves for the snorkel section. The light comes through an underwater opening, which is the part everyone talks about afterwards.
- 1:50 – 2:30
The high ledges
Progressive jumps up to around eight metres, each one checked for depth by your guide on the day. Skip any of them freely.
- 2:30 – 3:00
Long swim out
The final swim back around the headland, then a slow walk up and a look at the footage.
Meeting point
Good Feeling Surf School, Vila do Bispo
Every tour meets at Good Feeling Surf School in Vila do Bispo, where there is free parking, toilets and somewhere to leave your things. From there we drive the short distance to whichever beach the conditions favour that morning — Barranco, Ingrina or Zavial. The exact time and a Google Maps pin come with your booking confirmation. Pick-up and drop-off anywhere between Sagres and Lagos is €5 per person.
What's included
- Insurance
- A guided SUP tour for 3 hours
- All equipment — board, paddle and wetsuit (optional)
- Lifejackets available for children and non-swimmers
- Photos
- Pick-up / drop-off (between Sagres and Lagos) for €5 more per person
What to bring
- Swimwear worn under your clothes
- Towel and a full change of clothes
- Water and something to eat afterwards — this one is tiring
- Sun cream for face and hands
- Your own mask if you have one you like (we provide masks and snorkels)
Good to know
- Strong open-water swimming is a genuine requirement: comfortable in deep water with no standing point, for sustained periods.
- Minimum age 16 for this route.
- Every jump is optional and there is no expectation to reach the highest ledges.
- Runs on a narrow tide and swell window. If it is not on, we will offer you the Classic route or a full refund — we will not run it in the wrong conditions.
Watch a clip