Albufeira Big Weekend

You board at a fixed time and the boat runs a set loop, so latecomers are left on the dock. Onboard there is a bar and usually a DJ or a sound system you can plug into. Some are private charters for your group alone, others are shared with other bookings. What is included varies more here than anywhere else: some are entry only, some include a drinks package, some include food. Get that in writing before you pay. Deck shoes or trainers, nothing with a heel. It is colder on the water than on land, even in summer, so bring a layer.

Jet skis go out in a group behind a lead guide, after a briefing on the controls and the rules of the water. Sessions are usually thirty minutes to an hour, with one or two riders per ski. A speedboat is the other version: a driver takes the group out for a run along the coast. Both are weather-dependent and will be pulled if the water is rough. Get the cancellation terms before you book. Swimwear, a rash vest or a T-shirt and sun cream. Buoyancy aids are provided and compulsory. Sober, and most operators have a minimum age and a licence briefing.

You are taught the controls on a practice area, then you ride the trail in a line behind a lead instructor, with a sweeper at the back. Buggies are the two-seat version and are easier for anyone who does not fancy balancing. Sessions run from about an hour, and the course is mud, gradients and ruts rather than a track. It is slower than it looks and considerably dirtier. Old clothes, boots or trainers you do not care about. Helmets and overalls are provided. Sober, and most sites have a minimum age and a weight limit.

A restaurant taking a large group will usually want a set menu, a deposit and final numbers a few days ahead. That is normal and it works in your favour: the food comes out together and the bill is per head rather than an hour of arithmetic. Tell them about allergies and anyone who does not eat meat when you confirm the numbers, not on the night. Dress code is the restaurant's. If you are heading to a club afterwards, dress for the club, because the restaurant is the softer door.