Where wind meets water

Eolis was born in 2004 on Cabanas de Tavira island. More than twenty years later, it is still a place for sharing, emotions and nature.

Mission
Eolis sets out to promote healthy sport, scrupulously following all current safety rules and respecting the natural environment around us. We want to turn your holiday into a good challenge. We stand out nationally and internationally in kitesurf teaching and stand up paddle tours.
Vision
We want to contribute even more to quality tourist activities in Tavira, the Algarve and the world, gaining prominence in the so-called “low season” and acting as an engine for the destination’s environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Values
Honesty, solidarity, responsibility and integrity are our values. We are committed to developing sustainable practices and we accept our responsibility to actively live healthy lifestyles. Our customers have trusted us since 2004, so we will do everything to anticipate, understand and respect your needs. We choose to be responsible for those we have tamed, as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry tells us in “The Little Prince”.

Over 20 years, in a nutshell

2004
Kitesurf training in Tarifa and choice of the name Eolis, a registered trademark inspired by Aeolus, the Greek god of the wind. In April, Eolis becomes a reality.
2005
Kitesurf and windsurf school, and opening of the Eolis shop in Cabanas de Tavira. Organisation of the Tavira International Kite Festival.
2007
Import of the Ozone brand into Portugal and start of the school’s certification to IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) standards.
2008
A 300 m Kite Beach on Cabanas beach becomes reality, and Eolis is recognised as an IKO Centre.
2009
First beach cabin, our own boat to take clients to the island, and three IKO courses (assistant instructor and instructor).
2011
First stand up paddle (SUP) boards and a buggy for kitebuggying.
2014
Eolis is featured in the “Lonely Planet – Algarve” and “DK Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 Algarve” guides.
2016
Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and “Water Sports Company of the Year” for Southern Europe from the Luxury Travel Guide.
2017
Recognised as a Nature Tourism company by the ICNF, and named “Adventure Tour Operator 2017” for Portugal at the iGAP Travel Guide Global Awards.
2021
New offers for November to March: countryside SUP Tours.
2023
New offer: the 4 km WingSUP downwind from Cabanas to Fábrica. Launch of the e-book “Safety in Kitesurf”.
2024
20 years of Eolis. SUP Yoga with Sofia Rodrigues and the first groups discovering São Miguel, in the Azores, in November and December.
2025
Solidarity partnership with SPLS Portugal: SUP tours with migrants in the Ria Formosa.

A dream come true

Growing up looking at the sea, feeling the wind and diving into the waves gave Sandra Santos a natural passion for nature. That inspired her to imagine and create the Eolis project: a watersports school in the Algarve, in Cabanas de Tavira, right beside the beautiful and romantic town of Tavira. In April 2004, the journey became a reality.

The name comes from the wind, which has always inspired us: Eolis comes from Greek mythology, from Aeolus, the god of the wind. We started with a kitesurf and windsurf school and opened the Eolis shop in Cabanas de Tavira. The region’s seasonality led us to create complementary offers — international kite festivals, IKO instructor courses, SUP, kitecamps — and, since 2021, countryside SUP tours for the months of November to March.

In 2024 we took the first groups to discover São Miguel, in the Azores. Eolis stands for a simple lifestyle: a combination of wind, water and friends that brings an incredible sense of well-being and freedom — always safely.

Our beach cabin

2009
The first beach cabin
After 3 years of trying to make the authorities understand that Eolis and its guests needed a cabin on the beach for storage and support, it finally became a reality!
2016
Nearly a decade later
After nearly a decade, our beach cabin was still a great help, with Eolis always there to support.
2018
A graffiti to inspire
We had a painting done on the side of the cabin to help inspire good thoughts — an idea Eolis has always supported.
2020
More radical and colourful
We asked SEN to make our cabin more radical and colourful. It was a success, much loved by our visitors!
2022
The new beach cabin
We built the new Eolis beach cabin, which stands on Cabanas island with a licence renewed every year.

Our commitment to sustainability

Among the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda, Eolis’ strategic priorities are:

SDG 8 — Decent work and economic growth
SDG 12 — Responsible consumption and production
SDG 14 — Life below water
SDG 15 — Life on land
SDG 17 — Partnerships for the goals

Some of our achievements since 2004

IKO certification of all instructors since 2007
IKO Centre no. 1457 since 2007
RNAAT no. 220/2010 (previous) and RNAAT no. 39/2022 (current)
IPDJ / Portuguese Sailing Federation certification since 2014
Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2016, 2018 and 2019
Nature Tourism company (ICNF) since 2017
Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice in 2020
VIRISTAR certification in “Risk Management for Outdoor Programs” in 2022
“Environmental, Social, Governance Engaged 2023 and 2024” (ESG Engaged) certification by Turismo de Portugal
Facebook: 5/5 stars from 55 reviews
Google Maps: 5/5 stars from 311 reviews

Certifications and recognition

Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice
Travellers' Choice in 2020 and Certificate of Excellence in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Nature Tourism (ICNF)
Nature Tourism company since 2017.
Portuguese Sailing Federation
IPDJ / Portuguese Sailing Federation certification since 2014.
IPDJ
Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth: coach certification and kiteboard coach training.
Turismo de Portugal
Registered tourism activity operator: RNAAT no. 39/2022.
Turismo 360º Companies
ESG Engaged 2023
Sustainability certification by Turismo de Portugal.
ESG Engaged 2024
Sustainability certification by Turismo de Portugal.