Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Coastline — Unwind
Highlights
- ✓Limited-capacity catamaran — not the hundred-seat crossing
- ✓Visit inside the Benagil Cave, available by support boat
- ✓Marvel at Praia da Marinha, seen from the water
- ✓Arco do Triunfo, Gruta do Capitão and Praia do Submarino
- ✓Food and drink on board from start to finish
- ✓Shoes off before boarding — flip-flops are provided on board
About this activity
The same run to Benagil, on a limited-capacity catamaran: with a visit inside the cave by support boat, stop in front of Praia da Marinha, and eat and drink well across the three hours.
There are two ways to reach the Benagil Cave from Albufeira, and what separates them is not the route — it is how many people come with you. This is the limited-capacity one: a catamaran with room to move, sit and settle, rather than an assigned spot among dozens.
The visit inside is by support boat rather than the catamaran: the mast does not clear the cave mouth. It depends on sea conditions on the day. Along the way come the Arco do Triunfo, the Gruta do Capitão and Praia do Submarino, plus a stop at Praia da Marinha — the one whose cliffs turn up on lists of the world's most beautiful beaches — with time for a swim.
You eat and drink throughout: sparkling wine and finger food on arrival, canapés and mini burgers during the trip, fig cake and fig brandy on the way back. Vegetarian options are covered. The crew keeps telling you what each place is, which is what separates a boat trip from a crossing.
It is the choice for anyone who would rather have three hours with time than three hours with a view.
What's included
- ✓Around three hours aboard the catamaran
- ✓Support boat for the visit inside the cave, depending on sea conditions
- ✓Welcome drink with sparkling wine, fresh juice and finger food
- ✓Canapés and mini burgers during the trip
- ✓Fig cake, Algarve platter and fig brandy on the way back
- ✓Vegetarian options
- ✓Crew telling the stories of the coast
- ✓On-board flip-flops
Stops and access may be adjusted on the day, depending on sea or weather conditions.
Location
Where this activity starts
Marina de Albufeira
Marina de Albufeira, Passeio dos Oceanos, Lote 3, Loja 7, 8200-394 Albufeira
Important information
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A light jacket for the wind at sea
Not recommended for
There is no landing at the caves, for safety reasons. Entering the cave by support boat depends on sea conditions on the day.
Cancellation policy
Full refund up to 12 hours before for bookings of up to 9 people, and up to 24 hours before for bookings of 10 or more.
This deadline is the operator’s and applies to bookings made online. If you book with us on request, our own booking conditions apply. Booking conditions for direct requests.
More information
Check-in 30 minutes before departure at the operator's desk. The route runs from the São Rafael area to Senhora da Rocha and back to Albufeira Marina. Children under 2 go free. While you wait for check-in, the Belize Lounge offers a 15% discount.
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get wet?
On a catamaran, normally not. You will get wet if you go in at the swim stop, where there is one.
What languages is the activity in?
The crew or guide speak Portuguese and English.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
Bringing your own food or drink on board is not allowed, with the exception of food for small children. Boats with a bar sell drinks and snacks, and trips with a meal included bring everything you need.
Does the boat go inside the Benagil Cave?
It does whenever the sea and the wind allow, and the skipper decides on the day. When going in is not possible, the boat gets as close as safety allows and the cave is seen from the water, along with the rock formations around it.
Will we see dolphins?
This is not a dolphin-watching trip: the route follows the coast and the caves. Dolphins do turn up now and then, and when they do the boat slows down — but that is not what the trip goes looking for. For that we have dedicated dolphin trips, with their own route.
Are there life jackets on board?
Yes, for adults and children, and the crew shows you where they are before departure. Wearing one at all times is only mandatory on the boats and routes where the law requires it — you are told at boarding.
Pregnancy, back trouble, a wheelchair or a pushchair — is it possible?
Nearly always, and the right answer is given before you book, not on the quay. As a rule a pregnant passenger can go, with the final word resting with the skipper depending on the sea that day. Anyone with a sensitive back will feel the impact far more on a small fast boat than on a catamaran, which is stable and has proper seating. For a wheelchair or a pushchair, some boats have a boarding ramp and on others boarding requires you to be steady on your feet, and the toilets on board may not be adapted. Tell us the specifics and the date you want: we confirm with the operator which departure works, and only then do you pay.
What happens in bad weather?
The decision to sail is always the skipper’s, for safety. If a departure is cancelled because of the sea or the weather, you choose: a new date or a full refund — the booking is not lost.
Can I bring my pet on board?
As a rule no, with the exception of guide dogs with proper documentation. Some operators will consider it case by case — if you want to bring yours, tell us before booking and we will check with the boat operator.
Can I bring a backpack?
You can, as long as it fits on your lap. Bring only the essentials.
What if someone feels unwell on board?
Every operator follows safety protocols and has maritime support. If it happens, tell the crew straight away — that is what they are there for.
From €80