What a coastal soaring tour 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. Behrooz reads the forecast, plans the site, and flies with the group every 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 — flies alongside the group, giving real-time radio feedback on every flight and individual debrief at the end of each day. The coastal soaring programme runs year-round. September through June is the peak season — ten months of reliable, laminar Atlantic wind. July and August remain flyable: the northerly nortada runs stronger, but Behrooz reads the forecast carefully and makes the most of every suitable window.
Coastal ridge soaring is the closest paragliding gets to pure soaring — no thermalling required, just laminar Atlantic air deflecting upward off sea cliffs and dunes, creating long, predictable lift that lets pilots fly for hours without the workload of thermal hunting. The Arrábida Natural Park and Sesimbra's Atlantic-facing cliff lines sit directly in the path of Portugal's prevailing north-westerly trade wind, making them one of the few paragliding destinations in Europe where strong, clean ridge lift is available across ten months of the year — not only in summer.
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
Before you come
What to sort before you leave home — so the week runs smoothly from day one.
Licence & IPPI card
Bring your national licence or IPPI card. Portuguese air law requires paragliding pilots to carry proof of qualification. A photo on your phone is fine.
Reserve repack date
Check your reserve was repacked within the last 12 months. Behrooz will ask — if it's overdue, bring it and he'll pack it during the week.
Glider condition
If your glider hasn't had a porosity check or line measurement in the last two years, get one done before you travel. Flying a glider of unknown condition on unfamiliar coastal lift isn't worth the risk.
Travel insurance
Standard travel insurance rarely covers paragliding. Get a policy that explicitly includes it — most paragliding associations offer one. Behrooz can suggest options if you need them.
What to pack
Layered flying kit — mornings on the Atlantic coast can be cool even in summer. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for the beach landings. Casual clothes for evenings in Sesimbra. Nothing formal needed.
Getting here
Fly into Lisbon (LIS) — it's 45 minutes from Sesimbra. Behrooz can arrange a transfer from the airport if you need one; just ask when you confirm your dates.
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 plans the site based on the forecast and adapts if conditions shift — there is always a flying day.
What's the best time of year for a coastal soaring paragliding holiday in Portugal?
The programme runs year-round. September through June is the peak window — ten months of reliable Atlantic trade wind that makes Sesimbra one of Europe's most consistent soaring destinations. July and August are not excluded: the northerly nortada is stronger and the forecast needs more careful reading, but coastal flights remain possible and Behrooz works around every viable window. The shoulder seasons — October–November and April–May — typically deliver the calmest, longest soaring days of the year.
Is transport to the flying sites included?
Yes — private transfer from your accommodation to the launch and back is included every day. No car rental is needed. Behrooz picks you up, drives to whichever site suits the morning forecast, and returns you afterwards.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Your own wing, harness, reserve and helmet. Radios are provided on the day. If you're considering upgrading your wing before the trip, message Behrooz first — he can advise on what suits the Arrábida sites and your current level.
How does payment work?
Payment is made directly to Behrooz — no booking platforms, no agencies, no middlemen. No deposit is required to reserve your place; a WhatsApp message or email locks it in. Payment details are sent once your reservation is confirmed.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation on all programmes. If you've already paid ahead of your tour, cancellation is free of charge in full — nothing is deducted. Just send a WhatsApp message or email and Behrooz will take care of it personally.
What happens if conditions aren't suitable for flying?
Sesimbra's microclimate means genuinely unflyable days are rare — when one site is shut, another is usually open, and Behrooz knows every flying site in Portugal so there's always a plan. On the rare day where no site is viable, the session shifts to ground handling, theory, track-log review or an alternative activity, and you are not charged the full day rate for it — only reasonable administrative or transport costs may apply. Because of this, payment is handled flexibly: depending on the week, Behrooz may take payment before or after the tour, so if weather limits you to fewer flyable days than booked, you only pay for the days you actually flew.