Sesimbra · Arrábida Natural Park · Tandem Paragliding
Arrábida Coastal
Paragliding
Soar above turquoise cliffs and Atlantic swells on a private tandem flight with one of Portugal's most experienced paragliding pilots. No experience necessary.
Fly Above One of Portugal's Most Dramatic Coastlines
Praia das Bicas sits at the edge of the Arrábida Natural Park — where limestone cliffs drop sharply to turquoise water and the Atlantic wind rises steadily off the ocean. It is one of the finest coastal paragliding launch sites in Europe, and on a clear day from altitude, the whole sweep of the Setúbal Peninsula, the glittering bay, and the distant hills of the Alentejo open up beneath you.
This tandem paragliding experience is a partnership between Portugal Tours Your Way and Fly With Behrooz — a specialist paragliding operation based right here in Sesimbra with over 15 years of coastal and cross-country flying in Portugal. Behrooz Jafarzadeh is a competition-grade pilot and one of the most experienced coast-soaring instructors in the country, with more than 2,500 logged flights along the Arrábida, Cabo Espichel, and Costa Vicentina.
You need no prior experience, no special fitness, and no specialist equipment — all safety gear is provided and fitted by Behrooz before every flight. You will be attached in a tandem harness directly in front of the pilot, so you can look forward, soak in the Atlantic panorama, and feel the full sensation of flight without managing anything yourself. From a gentle scenic glide to a more dynamic coastal soaring session, Behrooz adapts every flight to the passenger and the conditions of the day.
Three Ways to Experience the Arrábida from Above
Every flight is private and adapted to you. Tell us when you book which experience you prefer — or simply let Behrooz read the conditions and your comfort level on the day.
Scenic Float
A smooth, peaceful glide along the coastline — gentle turns, steady altitude, the full panorama of the Arrábida cliffs and Atlantic horizon laid out before you. Perfect for first-time flyers, photographers, and those who want to absorb every second of the view.
20–30 min airtimeCoastal Soaring
The true Arrábida experience — Behrooz works the Atlantic thermals rising off the cliffs to gain altitude and extend your time aloft. Wider views, a greater sense of freedom, and the quiet thrill of understanding how a paraglider moves through the air without an engine.
30–40 min airtimeAdrenaline Flight
For those who want more — wing-overs, steep spiral turns, and dynamic coastal manoeuvres with a pilot who has competed at national level. You'll experience the full performance range of the paraglider: exhilarating but always within safe limits. Available as an optional upgrade.
Optional upgrade +€25/ppHow Your Flight Day Works
From the moment you arrive at Praia das Bicas to the moment you land on the beach below, Behrooz manages every detail. Here is what to expect on the day.
Meet at Praia das Bicas
Arrive at the Bicas car park in Sesimbra — just 30 minutes south of Lisbon airport. Behrooz will be at the launch area. Take in the cliff views, grab a coffee from the beachside café if you wish, and let the anticipation build. Full meeting-point details and GPS coordinates are sent when your booking is confirmed.
Weather Assessment & Site Briefing
Behrooz reads the wind conditions at the Bicas launch and provides a thorough site briefing — wind direction, the flight path along the Arrábida cliffs, the landing zone on the beach below, and any site-specific considerations for the day. Clear and informative, not alarming. This is where confidence begins.
Harness Fitting & Safety Check
Behrooz personally fits your tandem harness, fastens all carabiners, and runs the mandatory pre-flight safety check — the same rigorous procedure followed before every single flight, no exceptions. You will learn your body position for take-off and landing: a short forward run, then let the wing do the work.
The Launch from Bicas Cliff
A short forward run — five, maybe six steps — and the Atlantic wind lifts the wing and carries you off the edge. Take-off at Praia das Bicas is one of the smoothest in Portugal: a consistent headwind, a clean edge, and an immediate panorama of turquoise water below. The sensation is one of effortless rising, not falling.
Soaring the Arrábida Coastline
25 to 40 minutes of coastal flight along the limestone cliffs of the Arrábida Natural Park — one of Portugal's most protected and visually striking landscapes. Behrooz maintains radio contact throughout, adapts altitude and route to conditions, and narrates the landmarks below. GoPro footage captures your flight for you to keep.
Soft Landing on the Beach & Debrief
Behrooz brings you into a smooth, controlled landing on the sandy beach below the launch — one of the most satisfying endings in adventure travel. After landing, he walks through the flight with you, shares GoPro highlights, and answers every question. You will leave knowing exactly what you flew over and why it was extraordinary.
Flights operate only when conditions are safe and suitable. Behrooz contacts you 24–48 hours before your scheduled flight to confirm weather. If conditions are not right, you will be offered a free reschedule to the next available suitable day, or a full refund. On bad-weather days, optional alternatives such as a guided walk through the Arrábida Natural Park or exploration of Sesimbra's old fishing quarter can be arranged at no extra charge.
The View from the Wing
Your Safety is the First and Only Priority
Paragliding is a sport that demands discipline, precision, and a deep respect for conditions. Behrooz built his entire approach around safety-first flying — his protocols are the same whether he is coaching competitive pilots or flying a first-time passenger.
Mandatory Pre-Flight Equipment Check
Before every single flight without exception, Behrooz performs a full check of the tandem harness, all carabiners, the speed system, and the reserve parachute. No flight proceeds until all equipment passes inspection. This is not optional — it is procedure.
Radio Contact from Launch to Landing
Behrooz maintains continuous radio contact from the moment of take-off to the moment of landing. This allows real-time communication with ground support and the ability to react instantly to any change in conditions. You are never out of contact during the flight.
Site & Weather Assessment Before Every Flight
Behrooz reads conditions at the Bicas launch before each session — wind strength, direction, thermal activity, rotor risk, and site-specific hazard zones. Flights proceed only when all parameters are within safe limits. There is no ambiguity on this point: conditions lead the decision, not schedules.
15+ Years & 2,500+ Flights of Coastal Experience
The Arrábida coast, Cabo Espichel, Praia das Bicas, and the dunes of Costa Vicentina are Behrooz's home flying sites. He knows every rotor, every microclimate, and every seasonal wind shift along this coastline. Local expertise is not incidental — it is your primary safety asset.
Fly With Behrooz — Booking & Cancellation Terms
- No advance deposit required to secure your booking date
- Booking confirmed within hours via WhatsApp or email
- Behrooz contacts you 24–48 hrs before to confirm weather suitability
- Full reschedule at no charge if weather prevents the flight
- Full refund available if a suitable reschedule date cannot be found
- Free cancellation — cancel more than 48 hours before and you pay nothing
- Cancel within 48 hours: 95% refunded — only a small 5% admin fee deducted
- No-show with no prior notice: no refund applies
- Flight activity insurance is included in the partnership arrangement
Behrooz Jafarzadeh — Fly With Behrooz
Behrooz has been flying the Atlantic coast of Portugal for over 15 years — this is not a part-time passion but a full professional focus. He is a competition-level pilot who specialises in groundhandling, coastal soaring, and cross-country flying across Portugal and southern Spain. His base at Lagoa de Albufeira in Sesimbra puts him five minutes from Praia das Bicas, one of the finest coastal launch sites in Europe, where he flies almost every suitable day of the year.
What sets Behrooz apart is not just his accumulated hours but the depth of his site knowledge. He knows the Arrábida cliffs, Cabo Espichel, the Bicas headland, and the Atlantic dunes of Costa Vicentina with the precision of someone who has studied every rotor, thermal, and wind shift for a decade and a half. For tandem passengers, this translates directly into safety, confidence, and flights that are smoother, longer, and more extraordinary than the standard tandem experience.
Transparent Pricing, No Hidden Fees
Adrenaline Flight Upgrade
Wing-overs, steep spiral turns, and dynamic coastal manoeuvres — experience the full performance envelope of a modern paraglider with a pilot who has competed at national level. Still tandem, still safe, but significantly more exhilarating. Requires good physical fitness and a genuine appetite for high sensation. Available to add at any time up to the day before your flight.
+€25 per personWhat's Included
- Private tandem paragliding flight with Behrooz (25–40 min airtime)
- Full tandem harness, helmet and safety equipment
- Pre-flight weather assessment and site briefing
- Mandatory harness and equipment safety check
- Radio guidance and communication throughout the flight
- GoPro aerial video footage & photo highlights
- Post-flight debrief and Q&A
- Full reschedule if weather prevents the flight
Not Included
- Transport to Praia das Bicas, Sesimbra (30 min from Lisbon — self-drive or taxi)
- Travel or personal accident insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals, drinks, or refreshments
- Adrenaline Flight Upgrade (+€25/pp, optional)
Important Information Before You Book
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you take flight. If your question isn't answered here, reach us on WhatsApp — we typically respond within a few hours.
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