Albufeira: MARA Catamaran — Caves, Swim & Food on Board
Highlights
- ✓A light meal served on board, at the swim stop
- ✓A long stop to swim, in the bay where the catamaran anchors
- ✓The Benagil caves, Galé, Carvoeiro and Senhora da Rocha
- ✓A 16-metre catamaran: wide deck, sun and shade
- ✓Two drinks per person included, and a bar open throughout
About this activity
Four and a half hours aboard the MARA catamaran: the Benagil caves, a long long swim stop, and a light meal served on board.
What sets this trip apart is not the extra hour and a half: it is **the stop**. The MARA anchors in a bay, **the swim stop is a long one**, and food is served on board — nobody has to head back early for lunch.
The meal is light and made to be eaten with wet feet: a slow-cooked **Mara chicken wrap**, an **Algarve salad** of tomato, pepper, cucumber and onion with olive oil and oregano, a starter of house bread, and **two drinks per person**. To finish, seasonal fruit and a glass of sparkling wine.
The route runs west along the Albufeira coast — **Galé, Benagil, Carvoeiro and Senhora da Rocha** — with the caves and rock formations seen from the water. **Reaching the caves area depends on the sea**, and the crew decides on the day.
The catamaran is 16 metres with twin hulls: the deck is wide, there is sun and shade, and it barely rolls. It is the trip for anyone who wants a whole day at sea without having to organise it.
Itinerary
- 1Meet at Cais H, Albufeira Marina
- 2Head west along the Albufeira coastline
- 3Cliffs and rock formations around Galé
- 4The Benagil caves area
- 5Swim stop in open water
- 6Back to the marina, with sparkling wine served on board
What's included
- ✓Catamaran cruise with crew
- ✓Sailing along the coastline, cliffs and rock formations
- ✓The Benagil caves area (subject to sea conditions)
- ✓A long swim stop (depending on sea conditions)
- ✓Mara chicken wrap, Algarve salad and a starter
- ✓Two drinks per person (water, soft drink or beer)
- ✓Seasonal fruit and a glass of sparkling wine
- ✓Bar service on board
- ✓Toilet on board
Stops and access may be adjusted on the day, depending on sea or weather conditions.
Important information
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Shoes that come off easily
Not recommended for
Boarding is not adapted for reduced mobility.
Cancellation policy
Cancel more than 10 days ahead: 100% refund. Between 2 and 10 days before departure: 80% refund. Less than 2 days before departure: no refund.
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
These trips have a minimum number of participants: if it is not reached, the operator lets you know in advance. The meeting point is Cais H, Escritório 3, at Albufeira Marina, and we ask you to be there 30 minutes before departure. The catamaran carries up to 66 people. Children aged 3 to 9 pay the child fare; babies up to 2 travel free. Entering the caves area and the swim stop both depend on the sea and wind, and the crew decides on the day. The price varies with the date you pick — the booking calendar shows the value for each day.
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.
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.
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.
Are there vegetarian options or options for dietary restrictions?
There are, and the menu is adapted — but it has to be flagged when booking, not on the day. Tell us how many people and which restrictions, and we confirm with the kitchen before issuing the ticket.
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 €68