Ribeira do Cavalo Beach: Kayak, Boat Taxi or Walk Down From Sesimbra?
Updated October 20, 2026 · 6 min read
For most people, take the round-trip boat taxi to Ribeira do Cavalo with a visit to the Anglerfish Cave: it is rated 4.9 from 129 reviews, costs €20 per person and lets you stay on the beach for as long as you like. If you want to paddle there, book a guided kayak tour; if you want to walk, read the section on the trail first, because the sources we found do not agree on how hard it is.
There is no road to the beach
Ribeira do Cavalo (the booking pages spell it “Ribeiro do Cavalo”; both are used) sits at the foot of the cliffs of the Arrábida Natural Park, a short way along the coast from Sesimbra. The operator of the boat taxi calls it “a wild beach without any infrastructure”. Portuguese guides say the same: no lifeguard, no café, no sunbeds. You need to take your own food, water, sun protection and a bag for your rubbish. There are exactly three ways in: by boat, by kayak and on foot.
By boat taxi
The boat taxi leaves from Cais Espadarte at the Porto de Abrigo in Sesimbra. Its page is blunt about what it is: “a boat transfer, not a boat tour”. On the way the boat visits the Anglerfish Cave from the water. A crew member briefs you at the quay and agrees a return time with you for the same day. The first return is at 1:15 pm, you may stay as long as you want, and groups are limited to 7 people. One reviewer liked the smaller boat for exactly that reason, and said the crew shortened the schedule when the evening got cold.
Because the beach has no services, this is a real beach day: bring everything. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before is shown on the page. Of the three ways, this is the only one that suits children, older relatives or anyone who does not want a long effort, although none of the pages we read gives a minimum age, so ask the operator.
By kayak
Most of the guided tours in the Arrábida kayak comparison go to Ribeira do Cavalo and stop on the beach; the transparent-kayak tour from Praia do Creiro does not. Plan on 75 to 90 minutes of paddling out, 40 to 60 minutes back, and 30 to 60 minutes on the sand. One operator puts the outward leg at around 1.5 hours, with the return normally faster depending on sea and wind. Several tours pass the caves and rock passages on the way, and the tour with the caves and the beach stop names Frade’s Cave. Prices start at €31.50 and the page for each lists what is included.
Kayaking is the active choice and not the easy one. The pages ask for swimmers, and several list people with mobility impairments as not suitable. The pages we read state that the tours depend on sea and weather conditions.
On a dolphin boat
The dolphin and whale watching trip with a marine biologist and the other shared boat trips from Sesimbra also stop at the beach for a swim. You get about 25 to 40 minutes there, depending on the trip, so it is a swim stop, not a beach day. Our guide to the dolphin trips lists the differences.
On foot
The trail starts at the end of the paved road beyond the Porto de Abrigo and the naval club in Sesimbra, then follows a dirt road before the path drops towards the sea. Guides say you can park along the dirt road. The final stretch is a steep descent over rock, and good shoes are essential: the guides we read tell you not to wear flip-flops.
The sources disagree, and you should know how much:
- Length. Two Portuguese sites say about 1 km to the beach, 2 km there and back. A third describes two routes of roughly 3,200 and 5,200 metres.
- Difficulty. One site calls the descent “not difficult” but winding; another rates it medium to high, with steep descents; the third rates it high.
- Time. One guide gives about 20 minutes each way.
We could not settle this from the pages, so look at a current map and an up-to-date report before you set off, and allow a lot more than 20 minutes for the way back up. The beach has no services, so everything you need has to come with you. With a car you can reach the start of the trail from Sesimbra; if you want one, you can compare car rental for Sesimbra and Setúbal. Remember that you would also have to climb back.
Which should you choose?
| Way | Cost | Effort | Time on the beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat taxi | €20 | low | as long as you like, first return 1:15 pm |
| Guided kayak tour | €37 | high | about 30 minutes |
| On foot | free | medium to high | as long as you like |
Whichever way you choose, bring all your water and take your rubbish home. One of the Portuguese guides says summer is crowded and recommends weekdays. More options are on our boat tours from Sesimbra page. For a relaxed day, book the boat taxi and bring a picnic.
