Rising in the Serra de Caldeirão hills, the Mira is dammed by a reservoir (Barragem de Santa Clara), making the river water available to agricultural irrigation. From there only a small trickle flows westwards, which is not passable by boat.
From the mouth of the sea inland however, for over 40 km the Mira is subject to the tides, harboring a very special experience:
Start in the right place at the right time, you can use the current to gently help you on your way inland, with usually a nice tailwind.
The stages are manageable for young and old, we only move on calm, harmless waters.
The smaller children experience the event from the middle of the boat and are equipped with quivers and buckets and children's paddles. Swimming skills should be present, despite the life jacket provided. Therefore, the routes are rather unsuitable for children under five and they do not pay.
We have the appropriate life jackets, even for the smallest ones, anyway.
Oh yes - dogs are also allowed, of course.
The minimum number of participants is basically two, as canoes and kayaks are for two to three people. Due to rising costs, we can only offer tours for 4 or more persons.
If you are travelling in pairs, we will try to combine them with another booking.
Up to 25 people fit in the boats. For larger groups we have special offers in the "other activities" section.
As the tours start at a different time every day, we have to make a reservation.
Ask for your dates as soon as possible - this way I can send you your personal departure calendar, and you can decide spontaneously: one or two days in advance is enough.
For groups of ten or more we ask for an advance payment, one week before the number of participants should be fixed. This way we can guarantee you the full service and still take care of the other guests. Thank you for your understanding.
The tours are conducted in light and safe 2- and 3-seater canoes from Coleman, there are also some kayaks and we can arrange stand-up boards.
Equipment includes paddles and life jackets, along with waterproof bags and buckets, a rope for mooring and an orientation map.
Children are also provided with children's paddles and quivers, for the little ones we have inflatable seat cushions to sit safely on the ground.
For night and sunset trips, headlamps are provided.
Everything you take with you to the beach:
Swimwear, towel and a change of dry clothes, you can't do it completely without splashing water.
No favourite clothes on the Rio Mira - the silt is hard to wash out! You will only need shoes on land, but they should not be the best leather shoes as the salt water damages them. Old trainers are ideal, but flip-flops will do.
Sun protection, which means a hat that won't fly off in the wind, a long-sleeved shirt to wear over it, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Drinking water!
A picnic in the middle of a river or lake is always a special experience that you should not miss. If you don't want to take care of it yourself, book a picnic!
Have your plans changed?
Please let us know at least one day in advance! Otherwise we ask for a cancellation fee of 20%, it is written again in the GTCs.
Even in the Alentejo there is bad weather - or worse: the wind shifts!
Even if you paddle at your own risk and of course decide for yourself what danger you want to expose yourself to, we will always advise you not to go on the tour if there is a strong headwind or danger of thunderstorms, especially as we cannot assess your abilities.
As meteorological conditions vary greatly from place to place, we ask for your understanding if we advise cancellation only on the spot.
Ecotrails is a mobile canoe rental and has no office!
We work from three different locations on the Rio Mira: Vila Nova de Milfontes, São Luis and Odemira. With a booking confirmation we also send directions to the meeting point.
The canoe tours take place at a different time each day in order to make optimal use of the tidal currents.
Get in touch with us, we will find the right tour in the right place, at the right time!
Before the canoe tour you will receive a detailed introduction, after which you will be safe and relaxed independently can paddle.
An accompaniment can be booked, but is not required.