T.J., hiking guide and owner of West Coast Adventures, Lagos, Portugal

Hey there, I'm T.J.

I'll be your guide to the Algarve's wild side

Before you get in my van, you might like to know a bit about me :)

This isn’t a big tour company—it’s just me. When you book this experience, you’re traveling with me, exploring with me, sharing stories, laughs, and good food with me.

Since 2014, I've poured my whole heart into crafting, refining, and sharing these little adventures, one small batch at a time. For me, this isn’t just a business—it’s an expression of my passions, values, and vision for this special place.

I started this journey as a traveler myself—visiting Portugal on a one-week trip with a backpack and a spirit for adventure. That’s when I discovered a different side of the Algarve—the raw, untamed beauty beyond the tourist trail. I've stayed all these years to share what I found—not in a typical way, but in a way that felt authentic, immersive, and meaningful.

So if you’re looking for something personal, thoughtful, and just a little offbeat, you’re in the right place. I’d love to share this experience with you!

My intentions

I create experiences to share my love for...

Movement, adventure, and discovery... For wild places, open spaces, and secluded beauty... For hands-on encounters, out-of-the-ordinary experiences, and journeys of both mind and body.

I craft adventures that reflect my belief that...

Direct experience with nature is good for both the walker and the world... That the best views come after a bit of effort—they feel bigger, deeper, more earned... That nature can’t be experienced from afar, and true experience can’t be flattened onto a screen... That the frenzy of modern life needs to be balanced with moments of wonder, stillness, and surprise.

I am driven by my experience that...

The sincerity, passion, and character of a business are at least as important as its product... That it’s better to build one thing really well than to do many things half-heartedly... That what you love, others will too—if you just show them how.

And I run it all on a hope to...

Create something not just fun, but meaningful... To focus not on doing more, but doing better... To measure success not in numbers, but in wisdom, wonder, and well-being—both given and received... To stay true to my values, as a person and as a business.

Leaving the coastline better than we found it on ever hiking tour.

My mission

I aim to provide an exceptional experience for you while also protecting, caring for, and giving back to the land that has given me so much.

By sharing this place, I hope to deepen our personal connection with the natural world; empower us to be active, responsible caretakers of the landscapes we explore; and encourage us to pay it forward, carrying that same care and respect back home.

And on every tour, we do more than just tread lightly—we actively leave it better than we found it.

My story

I’ve spent much of my life seeking adventure, movement, connection, and clarity in the great outdoors. For me, nature is both the best playground and the best classroom—the place where I feel most complete and most aligned with what truly matters.

My travels have taken me from my birthplace in the middle of America to nearly every corner of the globe. In the end, I found what I was searching for right here, at the western edge of Europe. I created this tiny business to share what I discovered.

A group of hikers learning about the Algarve's West Coast geology from guide T.J. from West Coast Adventures.

My qualifications

I have been a certified hiking guide & outdoor educator for over 11 years. I have professional instructor certifications in Hiking, Backpacking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, and Wilderness First Response.

Beyond guiding travelers, I also lead an outdoor education program for local school children, teaching young people how to explore the outdoors safely, effectively, and joyfully.