Frequently asked questions
If you’ve still got queries before you book a group adventure, fire away! You might just find your answer in the list of common questions below.
Questions or concerns?
Please check our Frequently Asked Questions below and our Booking Terms & Conditions. If you’ve still got queries before you book a group adventure, fire away! Just get in touch via the online booking form or drop us a message via email.
General
We specialise in tailor-made adventure travel for private groups with a minimum of 10 people up to 200+. If you have a very large group, then we may need to divide you over a variety of activities to make sure we can deliver the activities safely and ensuring a high quality experience.
Please get in touch to discuss your needs; we’ll go the extra mile to make sure your group event is epic!
Any! From 10 to over 200 people, we’re more than happy to take your group on an epic multi-night adventure to one of our awesome destinations. Whether you’re a:
- Corporate group looking for a team offsite
- Stag or Hen Do after an active weekend
- Sports team looking for a multi-night getaway
- Private school or Guardianship organising a youth group trip
- Press trip touring around the country wanting to include some activities and exploring
- Family planning a large reunion
There’s a tailored package for everyone – we cater for all types of groups!
Please note that due to health and safety (& available equipment), many activities have a maximum weight limit which varies depending on activity, so we strongly advise you to check with us before you book any activities if your weight exceeds 120kg, as this will avoid later disappointment in not being able to participate in a booked activity.
Before participating in any of our activities we will need you to fill out our online consent form. This way we can make sure that you are ok to participate in the activities, and don’t have any medical conditions that may limit that. If you have a medical condition but aren’t sure if you can participate, just let us know and we will check this for you.
Remember, all our trips are tailor-made to suit your group!
All our packages are 100% tailor-made to suit your group! We’ll create a proposal specific to your budget, wants & needs for the perfect active getaway. Generally, the more package elements you include the more that package will cost. Usually, having a small group of just 10+ people will be a little more expensive, because the core package costs are split between less people.
The best thing to do is request a no obligation quote – it costs you nothing to start the ball rolling. Say hello and we’ll get started on creating a great adventure travel package for your group.
Once you’ve received your tailor-made proposal and wish to secure your trip, you simply need to let us know. From there, we’ll send you an invoice to obtain a non-refundable deposit. This is usually 30%, but that can vary depending on the complexity of the package and the time of booking.
The deposit secures everything and confirms your dates. There is then nothing to pay until your final balance deadline which is usually 6-8 weeks for a multi-night package. For larger groups, a second deposit may be required.
Your group leader is responsible for collecting everyone’s funds and making the transfer in one go, as we cannot accept individual payments. When booking with Big Blue Adventures, you also agree to have your own travel insurance in place. Please see our T&Cs for more info.
We are here to make your life as easy as we can. If you have any issues or questions in regard to your payments, feel free to contact us !
Yes absolutely, if you want it to be included, we will create a fitting & tasty meal plan to suit your tailor-made itinerary. It all depends on the package that you book, your budget, and your personal preference.
Usually we’ll include some form of meals and drinks during our multi-night packages, whether that’s breakfast, lunch, or even a BBQ package or gala dinner party – among many other options. Meal packages will vary depending on the destination and the type of accommodation you’re staying at, and it’s totally up to you whether you prefer a self-catering trip or an all-inclusive one.
We can cater for most dietary requirements, you just need to inform us in advance via the consent forms we sent out before arrival – we work hard to team up with the right hospitality teams and venues who can cater for the variety of needs and tastes in your group. Sometimes it can be tricky to suit all dietary requirements in your group (i.e. vegetarians might end up with a vegan meal if it’s a group menu, or Halal may not be available so instead we’ll offer a vegetarian choice) due to limitations with group menus and different cultures across our destinations. Like all elements on your group getaway, your meal plan will be bespoke to your style, budget, and needs.
On multi-night breaks we’ll usually include a local transfer from your accommodation to the activity location, as well as airport transfers when needed. Whether you require a small mini-bus or a large coach, we have transportation methods that can adapt to your group size. Often, we’ll also include transfers to nearby locations for some local exploration or for dinner and a night out.
The only aspect of travel that we do not cover are the flights. These must be arranged with your group to ensure everyone arrives at the appropriate time. Your trip with us starts from the moment you get to your destination. Aside from that, sit back and relax as we organise and host everything for your epic Big Blue Adventure!
It depends on the activities and destination you’re interested in – we generally say ages 10 and up, but height can also play a factor for certain activities. A lot of our activities are easy to adjust to younger adventurers, so pop us a message if there are some young ones in your group and we’ll see what is possible!
If you book a multi-night adventure (more than 1 package element and longer than 24 hours) then you’re protected by the UK Package Travel Regulations. Part of this is that we are members of PTS (Protected Trust Services). This means that your funds are paid into a protected travel trust account which offers insurance, and in the unlikely event that Big Blue Adventures or one of our providers has to file for insolvency, your funds are still protected through PTS. For more info on package travel as well as day trips and activities, please read our Booking Terms & Conditions.
When booking with Big Blue Adventures, you agree to have travel insurance in place for each member in your group.
For more info on package travel as well as our day trips and activities, please read our Booking Terms & Conditions.
We do! We monitor the weather closely with our activity partners and will offer a plan B adventure if the first choice activity cannot go ahead. In spring and summer seasons, scheduling outdoor activities is more reliable. We offer some great year-round destinations such as Madeira Island, where most activities operate any time of the year.
Environmental impact is an increasing concern for our guests, and for us at Big Blue Adventures. The impact we have on our beautiful planet is very important to us, which is also why we have signed up to Mossy Earth. This is a great project with a dedicated team focusing on rewilding and reforestation across Europe.
Every month, Mossy Earth plants a number of trees for each of our team members. We also support larger Mossy Earth projects that make an even bigger impact, such as a sea kelp restoration project in Portugal. Corporate retreats can help minimise their carbon footprint by contributing to Mossy Earth; we will match your donations!
Wherever possible, we collaborate with local independent activity suppliers, accommodation, restaurants/cafés, and more, to make sure our trips give back to the local economy and create a more sustainable adventure.
We’re also a member of the Surfers Against Sewage Ocean Network. Over the last 30 years, Surfers Against Sewage has grown into one of the UK’s most successful marine conservation and campaigning charities.
When you’re ready to book your adventure we simply start with a 30% non-refundable deposit to confirm it all. We may require a second deposit closer to the time for larger groups.
Once we’re closer to the time, 6 weeks before if it’s a multi-night trip or 3 weeks before if it’s a day trip, you can pay us the final balance. Multi-night packages payments are made via bank transfer into our secure PTS Trust Account that complies with UK Package Travel Regulations for that added peace of mind. If it’s a day trip only then funds usually get transferred into our regular business bank account.
Between the deposit and the final payment is your chance to make any changes. During this time, we can make small amendments due to dropouts, attendee increases, or reasonable changes to your package. Where possible we will be as flexible as possible, but the per person price of a package might need to be adjusted if the group numbers change. And cancelling one of the package elements doesn’t always mean this can be refunded.
For more information, please check out our Booking T&Cs.
Company offsites
A company that takes their team out of the office for an offsite or group bonding experience. With us, this means a multi-night getaway filled with excitement, reconnect with your colleagues, experience unique adventures, try the local cuisine, and have those important company updates & meetings together.
A corporate retreat or offsite gives everyone in the team some much needed time spent together in person, boost staff morale and productivity. Especially for those companies who work remotely or hybrid, an offsite is a great investment into retaining your team.
An offsite activity is basically anything you do as a company that isn’t in your office. For us, this means treating you and your team to an epic multi-night adventure at one of our many great destinations. There, you’ll get to experience offsite activities of your choosing – whether it’s canyoning, coasteering, surfing, or just some chill vibes at the beach, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Planning a corporate retreat is a breeze with our streamlined process and expert support. We’ll guide you through the process, helping you to plan the corporate retreat of your dreams and taking all the stress out of offsite activities. Simply let us know where you want to go, and we can handle the rest. Get in touch with one of our team to find out more. (or read our blog post about what to think about when planning a company offsite!)
The main objective of a corporate retreat or multi-night offsite is to foster greater connections with your team. As well as providing you all with great memories of an awesome experience, this can also lead to a number of benefits for a business and for employees including:
Benefits for your business:
- Staff retention
- Improved team working
- Improved morale
- Creating a nice company culture
Benefits for your employees:
- Reduced risk of burnout
- Improved relations with colleagues
- Taking part in once in lifetime experiences
- Improved motivation – knowing the company invests into their wellness
Read our blog on team building and why it’s important for all businesses here.
We specialise in group adventure travel for all sorts of team sizes, from 10 people up to 300.
With a team of experts at Big Blue Adventures we can cater to the size and requirements of your group, offering multiple activities simultaneously to ensure there is something for everyone. We believe adventure = happiness, and we’ll ensure everyone in your team comes to believe that as well on your company offsite.
Please get in touch to discuss your needs; we’ll go the extra mile to make sure your company event is epic!
We offer great destinations like Portugal, Wales, and Croatia for corporate retreats. These all offer something for everybody, but the one you choose can determine exactly what’s available to you.
Other factors like budget, availability, and desired activities can all play into what place is best for your group, so it’s worth doing some research and asking your team before you commit to a location. Another big factor can be airport connections, Lisbon airport is one of the best international airports in Europe for flights from all over the world!
The activities you include as part of your corporate retreat or team offsite can make or break the experience for the people involved. That’s why we have a wide range of activities available at each of our company retreat destinations, most with an adventurous side but we do offer some more mellow options too.
Whether it’s surfing, coasteering, canyoning or white water rafting, a watersport with the team really ticks all the boxes and you’ll reap the benefits of blue health! If not everyone fancies hitting the water, then there is a load of other experiences available such as mountain-biking, rock-climbing, ziplining and hiking. If some of your team members are after a more chilled-out activity, then something like a 4×4 Jeep tour with wine tasting, beach yoga or dolphin watching can be a great option.
Other Groups
All our group packages are tailor-made, meaning that we can create something epic to suit all types of groups. Whether you’re looking for an active stag weekend in Wales, a multi-night family reunion in Madeira or a day of adventure with your sports team, we’re here to help! Most of our packages will include outdoor activities, quality accommodation, local transport, food & drinks and a highlights video to commemorate your awesome trip. The only thing we don’t include are flights to/from the location of your choice.
Depending on your available budget, we’ll include as many or as little package elements as you’d like. So if you’ve already got your accommodation sorted, we can also help with just a fun day trip. One of our local Big Blue crew will be there to look after your group, and make sure everything runs smoothly so that you can sit back and relax.
Yes! Group adventure travel is a brilliant experience for youth groups. Whether you’re a private school, guardianship or young sports team, we can tailor a suitable itinerary depending on your wants & needs and your budget for the trip.
Our hosted multi-night trips are all private to your group, meaning you can be super laid back about it all, and our beginner-friendly activities help everyone unleash their inner adventurer.
If you’re looking for more thrill than you’d get from a normal family meetup, then group adventure travel might be the thing for you.
You can take your family reunion into the great outdoors, filled with unforgettable experiences and amazing moments together. Bring some wow-factor to your next family meetup with a multi-night adventure at one of our epic destinations!
The best part is, you don’t need to stress about the planning. Let us know what you want to do and what your budget is, and we’ll cook up a package that will suit everyone in your family group. Once you’re happy with the options, you only need to sort out flights, and you can get ready to enjoy your adventure.
Having worked with local tourism boards and PR companies, we know that welcoming a group of international influencers can really boost a destination’s online image. We’re here to help plan your influencer trip, with a tailor-made package at one of our destinations, including quality accommodation, local travel, unique experiences and tasty meals. From unique cultural experiences to instagrammable meals for the foodies, and from incredible natural scenery to epic adventures for the outdoor influencer scene. We can put the perfect itinerary together that covers everything a group of influencers needs to promote a location.
Whether you’re shooting a documentary, TV series or travel ad, we can help plan your film trip at one of our awesome destinations. We know that shoots can take a long time and require a lot of patience and flexibility in case the weather turns or last minute changes need to be made. With our local knowledge on the destinations we offer we can be a handy guide to show you all the best spots and introduce your crew to awesome local people & suppliers. Previous film crews, such as Heliconia Video Productions, have used our expertise more than once, and we’ve included some unique outdoor adventures as part of their travel series. Just let us know what you need help with, and we’ll create a tailored package to suit your plans!
Activities
Our group adventures are 100% tailored to your group, and that includes our activities. We can create a Big Blue Adventure that suits your specific budgets, time requirements, skill levels, and what you want to include for the perfect group getaway.
The cost of each activity will depend on where you go and how many people will be taking part. Generally, larger groups have a cheaper per-person cost than smaller groups as there are more people to split the core costs between.
Depending on which activities you’re taking part in, some level of preparation may be required. In general, we ask people to bring:
- Swimwear or spare underwear to wear under your wetsuit – enough for each activity, and avoiding anything baggy as it can get uncomfortable!
- A towel – In Wales, we also bring cosy towel ponchos to help you get changed
- Sun cream
- Water – please try to avoid single-use plastics!
- Any medication you need (EpiPen, inhaler, etc)
- Suitable clothing for all weather types, even if you’re going to one of our warmer destinations such as Portugal, the weather can quickly change. So make sure you come prepared!
Other activities may need additional items, such as a pair of old spare trainers and shorts you wouldn’t mind getting roughed up a little for canyoning and coasteering. Or good boots if you’ve opted for a guided hike.
Anything else, we can help you with after you’ve booked your awesome group adventure. All the essential equipment for each activity will be provided.
We like to tie in a delicious meal with our adventures. It’s a great way to boost your energy levels after burning a lot of calories during your outdoor activity, and it’s also a nice moment for your group to just hang out together and chat about the awesome activity you just had together.
Meal & drink options on a day-trip can include:
- Packed lunch
- Lunch or Dinner with drinks at a local venue after the activity
- A brewery tour, wine or gin tasting combined with some tasty food!
All this depends on what you want to do, what your budget is, and how much time you have to fit this all in.
The minimum group size for any of our day trips, activities and multi-night adventures is 10 people. We can host groups of over 200 people, but this might mean that your group gets split over a variety of activities taking place at the same time, which helps cover all the different adventure levels you have within your group as everyone will get to join in on an adventure they’re comfortable with!
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