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About OceanBlue Activities
Our activities are available to guests and non guests.
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Latest Adventures
☘️Snappy happy 1.23🌼 January wanderings in the Natural Park #algarve #costavicentina #burgau ...
Feb 1

☘️Snappy happy 1.23🌼 January wanderings in the Natural Park #algarve #costavicentina #burgau #travel #wanderlust #portugal #postcardsfromtheworld #iphonephotography #takethescenicroute #travelphotography #activeholiday #travelbug #winterdestination
☀️Our second instalment on our 60 second adventures we play Glide and Seek🐚
Stand up ...
Jan 26

☀️Our second instalment on our 60 second adventures we play Glide and Seek🐚
Stand up paddleboarding is possibly the closest we’ll get to walking on water, granting freedom to explore between secluded beaches and bays, barely accessible even in a little boat.
With nature at play, this location is all about timing. When the conditions are right, the rugged wave swept coastline transforms into a serene world of crystal clarity. Hundreds of seabirds perched on the craggy outcrops watch as we paddle past rocky pinnacles, between azure grottos and through caves and caverns.
Paddling inside, the water turns translucent turquoise where the sun filters through giant skylights like eyes to the sky.
We wait for perfect conditions. With even a little wave, it’s a different world and a constant reminder that nature is boss. Again; thanks to @procamfilms for scaling seamounts, launching the drone from 10ft sups and flying through skylights to get the best shots. #sup #standuppaddle #activeholiday #burgau #algarve #wanderlust #travel #redpaddleco #bloggerlife #travellifestyle #workabroad #travelbug #takethescenicroute
☀️🌵Introducing OceanBlue’s 60 seconds of Adventure. We’ve made 6 short stories, exploring...
Jan 22

☀️🌵Introducing OceanBlue’s 60 seconds of Adventure. We’ve made 6 short stories, exploring some of the activities on offer from our little hideaway on the hill🌳☀️
🐟On our first 60 second adventure we walk and swim the beautiful south. Baby blue skies, aquarium clear waters, spinning shoals. Only us and our two towels above the tide line. 🏝️
The old fishermen’s routes form a myriad of trails connecting our hilltop with craggy cliffs, leafy valleys, and quiet coves eventually linking villages, shady lunch stops and perfect swim spots.
Thanks to @procamfilms, amazing footage, impeccably capturing why we are spellbound with this perfect parcel of Portugal.
So long summer☀️ Hello season of sunrise & sunsets 🌅
This week we welcomed @nikapaddlesurfcamp and @iksup for a fantastic five days of outdoor action. Surf sup with @nikapaddlesurfcamp and bikes, boat, sup and sunset stretching with @oceanblueactive and @danyell_curling
Thanks guys, it’s been a blast, amazing beaches, a few hills, a few close edges, great views, waves and lots of laughs.
☀️More Sea Safaris in the line up for next week. Join our scheduled trips on Monday or give us a...
Aug 20

☀️More Sea Safaris in the line up for next week. Join our scheduled trips on Monday or give us a shout for details on private charter 🐾 #portugal #algarve #summer22 #lagos #lagoswhat2do #explore #boatlife #travel #burgau #postcardsfromtheworld @cheetahmarine
🔱Gold and emerald💎 …. one of those days in the caves where time and tide stood still⭐️⭐️
The SeaSafari diary is filling up fast so drop me a message if you want to book on for this summer. #algarve #summer22 #portugal #lagoswhat2do #wanderlust #explore #boatlife #redpaddleco @cheetahmarine #burgau #postcardsfromtheworld #travel
🏝Can you believe these sand islands appear like magic for a few hours each day? Just a short hop ...
Jun 12

🏝Can you believe these sand islands appear like magic for a few hours each day? Just a short hop from our local harbour if you want to explore with us off the map.☀️ @fillandrefillvail #portugal #algarve #oceanblue #wanderlust #travel #travelblogger #traveladdict #postcardsfromtheworld #summer
☀️Stay gold☀️ another beautiful morning exploring the caves from the catamaran #portugal ...
Jun 6

☀️Stay gold☀️ another beautiful morning exploring the caves from the catamaran #portugal #algarve #burgau #activeholiday #travel #wanderlust #postcardsfromtheworld #travelbug #exploring #redpaddleco #travelphotography #travelreel
☀️Saturday cruising the caves🐠 #algarve #travel #explore #activeholiday #wanderlust ...
Jun 4

☀️Saturday cruising the caves🐠 #algarve #travel #explore #activeholiday #wanderlust #postcardfromtheworld #portugal #lagosportugal #burgau @cheetahmarine #lagoswhat2do @redpaddleco @katieclapton @larasmrtnik
⭐️⭐️Two great screenshots from a clip whilst filming this past week.
Hats off to ...
May 18

⭐️⭐️Two great screenshots from a clip whilst filming this past week.
Hats off to @procamfilms for carrying 2 drones, a Sony camera, a GoPro, a gimbal and a mic all on a 10ft paddleboard and up a near vertical seamount to film our Paddlexplore trip. Can’t wait to see and share more footage soon⭐️
⭐️
#redpaddleco #paddleboarding #algarve #portugal #activeholiday #travel
A great shot on our SeaSafari yesterday in the lagoons, so contrasting to the cliffs and caves of ...
May 14

A great shot on our SeaSafari yesterday in the lagoons, so contrasting to the cliffs and caves of nearby Ponta and perfectly showing the diverse landscape of this wonderful corner of the Algarve. It’s also great to be back working with @procamfilms
These guys have been shooting the boats for us since 2015 and it’s incredible to see how the skills, tech and styles have developed…. lots more on this to follow #portugal #algarve #lagosportugal #boat #cheetahcatamaran #activeholidays #wanderlust #postcardsfromtheworld #oceanblue #boatlife #boat #superportugal #algarvecoast
🐾Some places here in the Portugal get all the limelight. On our bike rides, we prefer to take you...
May 2

🐾Some places here in the Portugal get all the limelight. On our bike rides, we prefer to take you to the hidden gems, whitewashed villages tucked away in the hills, tumbledown forts, trails the real locals wander (shot 3) and cafes where its impossible to spend 5 euros no matter how many coffees you buy. ☀️All our rides have routes to suit your group whether you want to amble along country lanes, try the tricky sunset loop or meander valleys out to the west coast. Message for more details #portugal #algarve #bike #activeholidays #burgau #active #fitness #explore #postcard #wanderlust #travel #ridemtb
☀️And to conclude on yesterdays post, a few outtakes: an arm sequence with rocks, running with ...
Apr 26

☀️And to conclude on yesterdays post, a few outtakes: an arm sequence with rocks, running with new friends, tremendous cooking & hospitality from the ladies who’s land they shared, wine in the rocking chair and the legendary magic circle… picture 3 - this one was in the syllabus - although my comments were certainly not 😳
I’m excited about continuing my journey and being part of a group, supported by @ourlifeinmovement and @basipilates with a lifelong passion for teaching Pilates and the tremendous group of girls I was fortunate enough to train with. If we don't have our own struggles, how can we relate to our clients?
Everyone brings something to the table, even if you’re not the cook, we all have our part to play
#retreat #portugal #algarve #basi #training #fun
@caro_lates
@ourlifeinmovement
Last week I was on a BASI pilates teacher training retreat with a group of 5 girls.
Our ...
Apr 25

Last week I was on a BASI pilates teacher training retreat with a group of 5 girls.
Our venue was a gorgeous quinta, perched on a hillside with mind-blowing views across the serras of the central Algarve. Everyday we’d climb the cobbled paths to the octagonal yoga studio where we were taught by the lovely @caro_lates and hosted by @ourlifeinmovement
Learning new skills is difficult. We make assumptions about ourselves and compare ourselves to others. And for me, the stark realisation that strength & endurance can carry you a fair way but it was clear that this body doesn’t lend itself to flexibility, precision & control shown by the supple bodies of the others.
Fear is in us all and is the root for not trying. Fear of being laughed at, frustration at not being good enough, fear at being last, getting it wrong, fear of falling, going downhill on a bike, jumping into deep water, fear of being seen in a wetsuit. Many apprehensions we see in our guests on our morning adventures.
Most of all, fear of failing, being vulnerable and being seen.
I can’t do this, I won’t do this, I’m not designed to do this. I’ve failed. We become overwhelmed and it's impossible to see a way forward.
Then there is something wonderful about the realisation that you only truly fail when you give up and its ok to show your vulnerabilities.
Reset your expectations of yourself. Acknowledge that learning new concepts and rerouting a life time of movement patterns is difficult. Break down the maelstrom into little fluffy clouds.
Maybe we need the frustration and hopelessness before we can really progress our journey - whatever it may be.
Back to pilates, it’s not going to be easy to mould this body into those poses. I’m never going to have an elegant body like my dancer peers. But with time, improvements can be made, skills can be practiced and maybe then I'll become better.
Strangely practicing back at home with the bootcamp girls and already, it's not so daunting.
#pilates #basi #learning #algarve #portugal #basi
Happy or hating it☀️
This week we 💙 running. Any activity that’s gets you outside with ...
Mar 24

Happy or hating it☀️
This week we 💙 running. Any activity that’s gets you outside with nature is a win win to feeling better..... even if it’s later😅
This is what we do here. Our adventures are designed with your specific requirements in mind, combined with places we know you’ll love to explore. Still space left for middle of May and June:)🌿 #run #portugal #algarve #activeholiday #explore #running #travel #runderful
What better place to curl up & watch the crazy skies⚡️
☀️heat, sleet, rays, repeat ...
Mar 23

What better place to curl up & watch the crazy skies⚡️
☀️heat, sleet, rays, repeat 🚿 We have three south facing apartments all with cosy underfloor heating, snuggly blankets, coffee machines and the most amazing views. #portugal #algarve #turismodeportugal #travel #wanderlust #activeholiday #burgau
💧☀️Super spring clean🌪⚡️
We’ve been sand blasted, pressure washed, rinsed & blown dry. The energy the last few days has been prodigious with sand clouds, equinox tides, huge waves, torrential downpours, hail, lightening and thunder. The trees are grateful🌿 and so am I. Check out our amazing new poolside shower 🚿in the trees. #algarve #portugal #holiday #vacation #activeholiday #sagres #storm #explore #travel #life #alive #ocean
🌱☀️Settling into spring. We’ve welcomed lovely guests the last few weeks from all over; ...
Mar 14

🌱☀️Settling into spring. We’ve welcomed lovely guests the last few weeks from all over; Holland, Germany, France, USA and even the UK💪 We’re back on the bikes, guests have been out and about on the self guided explore tours, walking, surfing with heaps of sun, and stacks of Vino Verdi-ing 🍷🍾 #burgau #portugal #algarve #activeholiday #portugal #sagres
Great ride out to the west coast today. 25km country & coast..... flat.... even managed to find ...
Mar 8

Great ride out to the west coast today. 25km country & coast..... flat.... even managed to find some mud before we hit Portuguese Sahara and couldn’t ride any further. @paula_schieder and Erica absolute legends.☀️☀️ #algarve #travel #active #activeholiday #burgau #liveagreatstory
Flying into the blue....
🌈Colours disappear underwater in the same order as they appear in ...
Jan 12

Flying into the blue....
🌈Colours disappear underwater in the same order as they appear in the rainbow. First, red in the top couple of metres then orange & yellow submerging you into a world of greens and blues. #underwater #dive #freediving #freedivingphotography #ocean #gopro @oceanbluekid
☀️Between rock and a watery place. More Autumn Adventures aboard SeaSophia💦#burgau #algarve ...
Oct 9

☀️Between rock and a watery place. More Autumn Adventures aboard SeaSophia💦#burgau #algarve #salema #portugal #explore #october #wanderlust #travel #activeholiday #holiday #active #postcardsfromtheworld #europe_vacations #europe #oceanblueactive #sup #standuppaddle #paddleboard
☀️Open all hours winter bar🍍
Shout out for anyone dreaming of winter sun who can work ...
Sep 15

☀️Open all hours winter bar🍍
Shout out for anyone dreaming of winter sun who can work remotely and is keen for adventures in SW Portugal. 3 apartments at our hilltop retreat are available for short to mid term stays from the 1st November. Tap like and send me a DM for more details. Photos here were taken between January and March.... bet you can’t guess the January 13th shot..... #algarve #wintersun #activeholiday #activebreak #postcard #darlingescapes #wanderlust #remotework #digitalnomadlife #digitalnomads #lovetravel #burgau
@ryancj91 and his budgy smugglers are back on tour. With @kyetrev00 we’ve been biking in the ...
Sep 14

@ryancj91 and his budgy smugglers are back on tour. With @kyetrev00 we’ve been biking in the hills, paddleboarding through caves, diving from the boat, swimming with starfish and lots of cliff jumping.
Third trip and it must be time for a redesign ...... we’re thinking pink watermelons & lime green lobsters on an oceanblue background..... 🦜 #portugal #burgau #lagoswhat2do #sup #bike #boatlife #beach #explore #lagos #budgysmuggler #longtimeintheair #travel #standuppaddle #paddleboard #algarve
Popular Posts
OceanBlue Hilltop Retreat
Welcome to OceanBlue. Our dreamy villa and apartments are set in the softly wooded hills of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park of the South Western Algarve. Bounded by the Serra de Monchique to the north and the infinite...
West coast wild & wonderful
Explore the original wild west just a 20 minute drive from the OceanBlue Villa. Enjoy the best surf spots, sunsets and the most alluring beaches with nothing but nature and the odd rustic restaurant dishing up spectacular...
Valleys and villages bike ride
Explore the beautiful Algarve Coast, countryside, villages and nature by bike with an OceanBlue Valleys and Villages bike ride. Some places in the Algarve get all the limelight. On our bike rides, we prefer to take you...
SupXplore Tour
Explore the beautiful Algarve Coast and water ways on the OceanBlue SupXplore Tour. Glide and Seek. Thanks to Procam films for the next story from our 60 Seconds of Adventures series. Amazing footage, impeccably...
South Coast Strolling
Explore the beautiful Algarve Coast and nature on foot with an OceanBlue South Coast Stroll. Exploring, walking, swimming and chilling on the south coast. Take one of our Self guided explore tours and discover this amazing...
All Aboard For Our Sea Safari
OceanBlue SEA SAFARI The Sea Safari has become our most popular adventure cruising the caves and secluded beaches near Lagos, swimming, paddleboarding and snorkelling from our super spacious Cheetah Catamaran. The boat...
29 km for Izzy’s 29th
Did it, enjoyed it and completely amazed at how quickly we can adapt when we’re challenged. @izzy_engelhardt and I ran just over 29km for her 29th birthday, pretty much non stop in 3 and a half hours. ☀️Our route was a perfect piece of...
A challenge between friends
At the start of the year @izzy_engelhardt challenged me to a 29km run for her 29th birthday on the 1st March ️🌿We’d done a few 5km runs together before Christmas so I knew it would be a test for us both! 👣I’m fine for 20k but any further, I...
Drinking the Rainbow
More energy, better sleep, improved focus and reduced body fat . . . . in less than 3 days??!? 2020 was the worse year on record for most of the world so there was nothing needed more than a firestarter to get the big 21 by the horns. My kickstart of...
Trail Riders Spring Break: 24th – 29th March
Join us for the Trail Riders Spring break. March 24th – 29th Five days mountain biking from our hilltop villa, exploring the Natural Park and unrivalled scenery of the Western Algarve. We’ll ride coast and country routes between the castle town of Lagos, the wild...
Adventure Weeks 4th – 28th April 2019
Adventure Weeks: 4th April 2021 An awesome Algarvean adventure awaits. Our adventure weeks are ideal for families, groups and couples looking to enjoy an active and fun holiday in the sun. We offer a full range of water and land based adventures to suit all...
Body Boost 2019
1st November 2018, Reset and recharge your fitness mindset in the Portuguese late summer. 4 day active break in wild west Portugal Explore nature’s playground, miles of mountain bike trails, walks and guided runs with our onsite personal trainer. Embrace the ocean,...