At home
Enjoy the 18m long swimming pool
Soak up the sun on our deck chairs, or relax on our comfortable lounge set while reading one of the books available on premise
There are several board games available as well, from easy to more complex/strategic
Digital TV available, as well as a chrome cast system to stream whatever you want...
Beach visits
Cabanas offers a great beach that can be reached by simple short boat transfer (at the end of the boardwalk). The beach offers a restaurant/bar with toilets, and a parasol/sunbed service during the season. Ocean side beach has waves, but very little tide difference. You can walk for hours along the shore.
A kite-surfing spot is available to the left of the restaurant. Inform yourself at the kiosks for taking lessons when interested!
Several other nice beaches in the vicinity, Praia do Baril offers a train ride from the parking lot to the beach! Or go to Cacela Velha, where you can walk down and through the Ria Formosa at low tide towards the beach.
Boat trips
Boat excursions are available from 2 hr to full day dolphin spotting etc, and can be booked in the ticket offices along the boardwalk.
Walking
We have a walking guide available for guests in the apartment with several walks around the Algarve from 6 tot 20 km hikes. Cabanas itself is nice for walking through town, around the town, or towards Tavira and the salt pans (follow the blue cycling signs).
Several walks in the Algarve are signposted (PR, pequena rota), and our experience with them is very positive. But always make sure you pack some water and food, and remember that inland, some areas don't have good mobile phone coverage.
Tennis / Padel
Pedras da Rainha resort (entrance on the main road into town, 600 m from the appartment) has a tennis and paddle club which is open to outside visitors. Facilities are of very good quality!
Cycling
Lots of options from short to long, from race bike to mountain bike.
The Ecovia, blue signs, runs all along the coast, but some signs are missing. Some areas you need to follow a blue line on the road. And more importantly, not fit for race bikes, as some parts are gravel/stone path.
We love the bike ride to Tavira through the salt pans, you arrive in Tavira at the shopping mall, or if you go a bit further and across the bridge, you find the local market. So a good way to combine active fun with grocery shopping.
Renting bikes can be done easily through Abilo bikes in Tavira all year round. In Cabanas you can rent at Nora Bikes.
Golf
Benamor : the closest, and good value for money. A little bit technical, hilly and not a very long course
Quinta da Ria / Quinta da Cima : your typical resort courses, high quality facilities (practice area, driving range, loads of buggies). Ria goes out to the ocean with some great views. Both are challenging and great quality golf courses.
Quinta do Vale : near Castro Marim. Ballesteros design close to the Guadiana river. Several water hazards and visually challenging. Good deals available, not too busy.
Monte Rei : world class, but you pay for it!
Castro Marim : 3x9 holes. Quite tight course, a bit hilly but nicely set in the country side. Facilities are in need of some refreshing.
Across the border in Spain you have Isla Canela (links and old course) and El Rompido (2 x 18). Generally green fees are a bit lower in Spain. We especially like El Rompido if you combine it with lunch or dinner in town with your feet on the beach.
More golf courses West of Faro, great variety in prices but all of good quality and design. Personally we recommend that you look/phone around for some deals, and check out the websites for the ones you like best. Our favourite price/quality wise is Pinhal in Vilamoura.