What the coastal soaring week in Portugal looks like
The Coastal Soaring Week is seven days of guided Atlantic ridge soaring based in Sesimbra — a fishing town 30 minutes south of Lisbon airport with its own microclimate, a dozen launch sites, and reliable coastal lift for most of the year. Every morning, Behrooz reads the wind and selects the best site for the day.
You fly real laminar Atlantic air above dramatic cliffs and white-sand beaches — Praia das Bicas, Praia do Meco, Praia de Fonte de Telha, Cabo Espichel and the Arrábida heights. All sites are within 15 minutes of base. Private transfers to the launch and back are included every day.
The week is intentionally kept to a maximum of 8 pilots so coaching stays personal. Behrooz — an active competition pilot — watches every take-off and landing, giving real-time radio feedback and individual debrief at the end of each day. The coastal soaring season runs September through June — ten months of reliable Atlantic wind.
What's included
- Daily weather & site briefing
- Radio support every pilot, every flight
- Ground-handling & top-landing coaching
- Cobra starts & reverse launch practice
- Video & photos of your flying days
- Evening track-log analysis & debrief
- Private transfer to every launch, daily
- Bad-weather backup site every day
What paragliding experience do I need?
A valid paragliding licence (P2 or national equivalent) and comfort flying in moderate coastal winds. If you're unsure whether your level is right, send Behrooz a message before booking — most pilots are well-suited after a season of regular flying.
What flying sites are used near Sesimbra, Portugal?
The main sites are Praia das Bicas, Praia do Meco, Praia de Fonte de Telha and the Arrábida heights — over a dozen launchable sites within 30 minutes of base. Sesimbra's own microclimate means reliable coastal lift when other parts of Portugal are shut. Behrooz selects the best site each morning based on the forecast.
What's the best time of year for a coastal soaring paragliding holiday in Portugal?
The Atlantic coastal season runs September through June — ten months of reliable trade wind and thermal soaring. July and August are flyable but the northerly sea breeze is stronger. The shoulder seasons (October–November and April–May) often deliver the calmest, longest soaring days of the year.