We are so happy to team up and bring you this adventure!

Ocean Nomads own, Brianna + Bonanza the land’s Carine are joining forces for our first ever surf, horseback riding and sailing adventure!

Ocean Nomads is a purpose-driven ocean adventurer network. We connect people who are or wish to live in harmony with nature and outside the norm. We bring together sailors, explorers, vessels, and ocean initiatives to support a life of adventure and intention.

Bonanza the land is a horseback riding and nature retreat experience in Northern Portugal. Located in the area of the Aveiro Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro), their horseback riding tours offer a rare opportunity to ride along empty beaches and through peaceful forests and rolling dunes. The guided rides take you through some of the most stunning landscapes on the North Portuguese coast, offering a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature for both beginner and experienced riders.

Adventures with positive Impact & Community

We will facilitate the connection between a beautiful mix of purpose-driven salty souls and animals in a natural setting.

Our Horses: At the heart of every ride are our horses, and their well-being is our highest priority. Each one is carefully trained, lovingly handled, and given the space to simply be a horse. They live in a natural herd environment with plenty of room to roam, access to expansive grazing fields, and a balanced diet with additional feed tailored to their needs. We work with a dedicated team of veterinarians and equine specialists who ensure our horses stay healthy, comfortable, and happy year-round. When you ride with us, you can feel confident knowing you’re partnering with horses who are truly cared for—inside and out.

Unique Location: Our tours take you off-the-beaten-path in coastal Northern Portugal, providing the perfect setting for riders who want to escape the crowds and enjoy the peace of nature.

Expert Guides: Our experienced guides are passionate about both horses and the local environment. They will ensure you’re safe, comfortable, and well-guided throughout your ride, while sharing fascinating insights about the area.

7 Days / 6 Nights

• Current Ocean Nomads members get their next annual membership on us!

We will share the Ocean Nomads and Bonanza the land ‘slow living' philosophy. The focus is on simplicity, health, local food and community connection, active, adventure and sustainability mindset.

With just ONE date available, this is your chance to join us and your adventurous self!- All levels are welcome -

Read more about our trip values and expectations here.

Discover the Beauty of Northern Portugal on Horseback and in the Surf

Located in the area of the Aveiro Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro), Carine and Bonzanza the land offer a rare opportunity to ride through vast beaches, peaceful forests, and rolling dunes. The guided rides take you through some of the most stunning landscapes on the North Portuguese coast, offering an opportunity to reconnect with nature.

We offer a forest a cabin, yurt or spacious bell tent to stay at, nestled in a tranquil off-the-grid setting.

You’ll find shared compost toilets, a warm shower with filtered groundwater, and a shared kitchen for preparing meals and snacks. Everything is simple, natural, and designed to make you feel connected to the land.

The surrounding area offers endless possibilities for adventure and exploration. The vibrant cities of Porto and Aveiro, the beautiful Aveiro Lagoon, and the charming town of Ovar are all within easy reach.Additionally we offer horse therapy, massage, Qi Gong, acupuncture, and TRE sessions (body work for nervous system regulation), all designed to relax your body and mind and to enhance your time with us. It was started by Ocean Nomads Ambassador Carine. It focuses on authentic connection with nature, horses, and yourself through guided riding adventures and holistic activities rooted in calm, mindful exploration. Ovar is located on the Atlantic coast at the northern edge of the Ria de Aveiro (Aveiro Lagoon), in the Centro Region of Portugal. It’s roughly 40–60 minutes south of Porto by car or train.

• Coastal + Natural: Ovar has kilometers of sandy beaches like Praia de Furadouro, ideal for surfing, swimming, and seaside walks. There’s also pine forest, dunes, and lagoon landscapes perfect for hiking, cycling, and birdwatching.

• Cultural & Historic: The city is known for its traditional ‘azulejos’, or tiles (decorative ceramic tiles) covering churches, homes, and façades, giving Ovar the feel of a living tile museum. Historic churches and local museums reflect centuries of community life.

• Laid-Back Local Life: Ovar mixes relaxed seaside atmosphere with authentic Portuguese culture, markets, cafés, and seasonal events rather than loud tourist crowds.

We will meet at the Property of Bonanza the land in Ovar Portugal in the afternoon. This day is all about settling in, making your self at home, getting to know each other. We will have a dinner all together and discuss the plans for the week

ADVENTURE |  This trip will allow us to stay in nature close to trails and the waves. We will include a mix of horseback riding, surfing, sailing, cooking and exploring local culture in the nearby town.

SPONTANEITY | We run our trips rather spontaneously on purpose. We’re dependent on the weather even when we are not sailing! We go with the flow and embrace the art of getting lost. Each day will be dependant on the tides so we can have some sunrise and sunset riding as well has surf sessions and downtown. We will also plan a picnic and sail on a traditional Portuguese sailboat in the lagoon!

IMPACT | We share adventure and relaxation time, as well as thoughts, tips and ideas about how we can live more simply and sustainably, whilst exploring the natural world. No one of us has the answer, but together we do have. Connection and conversation at sea go deeper in one day than months on land.

LOCAL | We aim to team up with locals as much as possible to learn the best we can about the local situation. Working with a local partner involves different habits, customs, awareness levels, and cultural backgrounds. We stay open and look beyond our ‘eco-bubble’ to plot better routes for positive change.

GETTING THERE | We are aware that many need to fly to join one of our trips, and we encourage transport options such as train, bus, ferry, and car sharing.

CONSERVING NATURE is Our drive: Protecting our playground! 

This journey started in 2021 as a dream of Carine, a Dutch woman living in Portugal for over 8 years. She always wanted to create a place where people can connect with nature in a meaningful way. This place had to be near the sea, because she loves to surf. Ricardo, her partner, a surfer, passionate for sailing, artist and carpenter, has been by her side, helping turn this dream into reality. Together, they built everything from the ground up. When they arrived, there was nothing here—no stables, no facilities, just untouched land. With dedication and love, they are creating a space where people can be in peace, enjoy nature, relax and enjoy the tranquility of this land.

From zero to hero in ocean nomad Lifestyle design

I am a lifelong nature and animal lover who lives a semi-nomadic, adventure-driven lifestyle. I divide my time between life near the ocean, living aboard a sailboat, traveling by van, and exploring the world through nature-based experiences.

My connection to animals and the natural world shapes how I live, travel, and build community. As a Community Captain with Ocean Nomads, I help connect people through sailing, environmental awareness, and shared adventure—while continuing to deepen my relationship with animals, land, and sea wherever I am.

We share tips & tools, helping accelerate personal journeys to alternative adventurous conscious life on or near the sea. Ocean nomads adventures are not just a one time thing you join for a week or two and that’s it. These are experiences that change the way you approach life, nature and the ocean. We believe our trips are just the beginning for plotting the next course in your life. By jumping on the sadde, you also join our expanding global network of impact-driven travellers, ocean entrepreneurs, riders, sailors, (free)divers, surfers, and active salty souls passionate about the ocean and eager to do good. 

On our community HUB we continue the conversation, action, team-ups and meet-ups beyond our events and expeditions to maximize the impact, fun, and ripple effects for ocean adventure and action. We got your back before and after the trip and make the personal connections and introductions to accelerate your dreams.

We  connect with fellow nomads that are on the same mission. Who knows who you may meet during these adventures and what opportunities may come from it?

This is an experience that will change the way you approach life, nature and the ocean. We believe our ON adventure are just the beginning for plotting the next course in your life. On our community platform we continue the conversation, action, team-ups and meet-ups beyond our events and expeditions to maximize the impact, fun, and ripple effects for ocean adventure and action. We got your back on this adventure and the journey after.