Portimão · Algarve
On the Algarve coast, a round hole in a sea cave's roof lights the small beach inside.
Between Portimão and Benagil, the cliffs run gold and ochre the whole way.
Worth it, and inside the cave?
Yes, if you want the coast and the cave from the water and accept the limits. The boat reaches Benagil cave when the sea allows, and the cave is the sight people come for: a hole in the roof that lets daylight onto the sand below. You look, you photograph, you leave. Nobody swims or steps off the boat inside, and on rough days the boat may only run along the cliffs.
Swimming at the caves is forbidden, and passengers may not leave the boat inside them. Portugal's maritime authority also bans landing on or using the beach inside the cave, for individuals and companies alike. So a boat trip is a viewing trip, not a beach stop.
The skipper and the maritime authorities judge whether boats can enter the caves safely. When they cannot, the trip carries on along the coast instead. Dolphins are never guaranteed, either, so treat any sighting as a bonus.
Anyone who wants the cliffs, the caves and a fast ride in a small boat, without paddling. It is a poor fit for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, and wheelchair users, and for anyone who mainly wants time on the sand.
The trip in four lines
The coast, west to east
Six places mark the ride out of Portimão and along the Lagoa coast. Each one is something you can pick out from the water.
Itineraries can change. The skipper and the sea decide the route on the day, so this is a map of the coast, not a timetable.
The Arade runs out between Portimão and Ferragudo. Two forts once guarded the mouth: Santa Catarina on the Portimão side and São João do Arade on the Ferragudo side, which Wikipedia describes as working together to protect the estuary against pirates and privateers.
Ferragudo sits on the western edge of Lagoa municipality, across the river from Portimão. Wikipedia says its fort was ordered in 1640 to replace an older castle, and places it on a hillock at the river mouth, between Praia da Angrinha and Praia Grande.
Carvoeiro is a town on the Lagoa coast. Wikipedia describes its beaches as sandy coves protected by cliffs, with craggy cliffs around the central beach.
Algar Seco lies a few hundred metres along the coast east of Carvoeiro's main square and beach. Wikipedia says wave erosion has carved grottoes, islets and water spouts there.
Benagil is a small hamlet with a widely used beach, and the cave is its main attraction. Wikipedia says that, of the sea caves between Lagos and Albufeira, this is the only one eroded both from the side and from the top, which is what opens the roof.
Marinha beach lies a little further east, below orange limestone cliffs. Wikipedia records that the Michelin Guide counted it among the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe. The booking title names it, and sea state decides how far the boat goes.
Boat or kayak
What one booking covers
Eight lines on what the booking covers, and what it leaves to you.
One seat on the RIB speedboat tour, in a group or as a private booking.
The Portimão pier. Check the operator name on your confirmation against the sign when you arrive.
A short safety briefing before you board.
A skipper who takes the boat along the coast and, sea permitting, into the caves.
English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. English and French tours run in one language; Spanish and Portuguese tours run in both.
No swimming, and nobody leaves the boat inside the caves.
A sunset option is offered, which brings the boat back as the sky changes colour.
Cancel a day ahead and the refund is full, for tickets bought through GetYourGuide.
Cliffs, caves and beaches
The cave mouth from the water, a pair of sea stacks, the grottoes at Algar Seco, a fort at the river mouth and a sea cave near Benagil beach.
More ways to see this coast
The Portimão speedboat comes first. After it come a guided kayak tour that starts on Benagil beach, a longer boat trip with a marine biologist, and a boat trip from Lagos to a different stretch of cliffs.
A RIB speedboat from the Portimão pier along the cliffs to the sea caves, with Benagil cave as the highlight and a sunset option.
A paddled tour from Benagil beach, offered as a direct trip to the cave or a longer route past hidden caves and arches.
A longer boat trip from Portimão with commentary from a marine biologist, a swim stop if the sea allows and a search for dolphins.
A short cruise from Lagos along a different part of the Algarve, with natural rock arches, sea caves and secluded beaches.
More to book on the Algarve
Before you go
Further reading
FAQ
For most visitors, yes. The boat shows a long stretch of cliffs and sea caves, and Benagil cave with its open roof. It is a viewing trip, though: no swimming, no landing, and the sea can stop boats entering.
When the sea allows, the boat goes in, stays briefly and leaves. Whether it can enter on the day is the skipper’s call, working with the maritime authorities. If it cannot, the tour continues along the coast.
No. Swimming at the caves is forbidden, and passengers may not get off the boat inside them. Portugal’s maritime authority also bans landing on or using the beach inside the cave.
The boat does not go into the caves. The tour carries on along the coast, and the skipper points out the cliffs, formations and coves along the way.
Not necessarily. Dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed on this trip. A different, longer boat trip adds a marine biologist and a dolphin search, but a sighting still depends on luck.
Partly. The coastal path above the cave lets you look down through the roof opening, but a walker’s guide calls the view limited. The boat is the way to see the cave itself.
It takes about 1.5 hours and meets at the Portimão pier. A sunset option is offered on some dates. The calendar and your booking email give the start time.
The boat covers more coast with no effort. A guided kayak tour from Benagil beach gets you closer to the rock at water level but asks for fitness and swimming ability. Neither can land on the cave beach.
Check the operator name on your confirmation against the sign at the meeting point. A recent traveller warns that two similar-looking businesses face each other there.
Pregnant women, people with back problems, people with heart problems and wheelchair users are advised against it, and so is anyone who mainly wants beach time.
Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel and sunscreen. Pets and smoking are not allowed on board.
Benagil is a hamlet in the municipality of Lagoa, on the Algarve coast, close to Marinha beach. RIB stands for rigid inflatable boat, the kind of fast, agile speedboat this tour uses from Portimão.
The booking title names Marinha beach, and the coast the boat covers runs towards it. How far the boat goes on the day depends on the sea and the skipper, so treat Marinha as part of the scenery, not a promised stop.
Yes, the booking page offers a group or a private option. Choose it when you pick your date, and tell the operator which bookings belong together if you are a larger party.
No. Benagil Cave Boat Guide is an independent guide. It is not the website of the boat operator or of any venue, and it is not affiliated with them. Bookings are made with GetYourGuide.
The booking calendar shows the price in your own currency before you confirm anything.