Skydive Algarve (Paralvor – Centro de Paraquedismo, RNAAT nº 874/2018) is Portugal’s flagship coastal drop zone at Aeródromo Municipal de Portimão, Montes de Alvor (8500-059) — roughly 40 minutes from Faro airport and a short drive from Portimão, Alvor village, and Lagos. Part of the UK-based Swallow Group (with Skydive Hibaldstow and Skydive Spain), the centre runs year-round turbine lifts to 15,000ft (4,600m) with multilingual tandem instructors. TripAdvisor reviewers and the operator’s own roundups highlight coastal panoramas over the Ria de Alvor, Praia da Rocha, and the western headlands — and the house has held a Travellers’ Choice badge in recent seasons.
Tandem skydiving and prices
15,000ft tandem — the default first jump: harnessed freefall with an instructor, freefall certificate included, from €219 on the house site. 10,000ft tandem from €179 when you want a shorter, cheaper intro. 7,500ft tandem from €139 — operator lists this altitude on Thursdays only; contact ahead to confirm the week you travel. Video and photo packages add handycam, external camera-flyer, or combo footage — worth budgeting if this is a one-off holiday moment. Gift vouchers from €25 upward suit birthdays and stag-week surprises. Prices move with season and fuel; confirm on skydivealgarve.com before you promise numbers to the group chat.
Experienced jumpers
Fun jumpers are welcome, but the drop zone currently enforces a minimum of 1,000 logged jumps — this is a serious turbine DZ, not a casual weekend hop for low-experience sport licences. Aircraft and maintenance tie into Wingglider Europe engineering within the Swallow fleet. If you are on a skydiving holiday, pair jumps here with beach downtime in Alvor rather than stacking a second adrenaline product the same day.
Hours, booking office, and contact
Drop zone: Aeródromo Municipal de Portimão, Montes de Alvor. Registered booking office: Rua D. Sancho I, n.º 18, Loja E, 8500-013 Alvor. Booking office hours: 09:00–17:00 daily (including Sunday). Phone: +351 914 266 832 or +351 282 496 581. Email: [email protected]. WhatsApp booking is advertised on the contact page. Arrive with ID, comfortable trainers, and the flexibility to wait — Atlantic wind and cloud layers routinely shift lift times.
Who it suits
Yes for adults and older teens meeting operator age, weight, and health rules on a first tandem; adrenaline seekers basing in Alvor, Portimão, Praia da Rocha, or Lagos; visiting jumpers already in Europe who want a coastal DZ; gift buyers who want a story better than another marina T-shirt. Less ideal for young children, pregnancy, serious back or heart conditions, or groups who treat skydiving as a five-minute add-on between pool and dinner — briefings, manifest, and weather holds need half a day blocked.
Compared with
Sports and adventure in the Algarve for paragliding off Monchique when you want aerial views without exit altitude. Autódromo Internacional do Algarve for track-day petrolheads in the same municipality. Dream Wave or Algarve Charters for marina thrills without leaving the boat. Praia de Alvor and the lagoon boardwalk for the calm afternoon after a morning jump. Planning: top things to do in Alvor, where to stay in Alvor.
Practical tips
Book the earliest manifest slot on your chosen day — thermals and sea breeze build through the afternoon. Wear layers; the plane is cool at altitude and the landing area is open tarmac. Eat lightly beforehand; follow staff guidance on alcohol the night before. If jumps cancel, pivot to Alcalar megaliths or Alvor harbour dinner rather than chasing a second booking same-day in peak season. Parking at the aerodrome is straightforward; taxis from Tivoli Alvor or Rocha hotels take roughly 15–20 minutes.
Worth it?
Yes if a 15,000ft coastal tandem is on your bucket list and you can spare a weather-flexible morning. Book video if you will regret no proof. Skip if anyone in the party fails medical screening or hates waiting — this is aviation, not a theme-park queue with fixed show times.