Albufeira: Private — MARA Catamaran
Highlights
- ✓The whole boat for your group — up to 66 people
- ✓Priced per boat, not per person
- ✓The Benagil caves and the coastline, at your group's pace
- ✓Wide deck with sun and shade, bar and toilet on board
- ✓Departure at the time your group chooses
About this activity
The whole MARA catamaran for your group alone — up to 66 people, the departure time you choose, and a price for the boat rather than per head.
Here you are not buying a seat: you are buying **the boat**. The **MARA** is a 16-metre catamaran licensed for 66 people, and on a private charter she sails with your group alone — the whole deck, the bar, the shade and the departure time.
It is the format for a family celebration, a stag or hen party, a company day out or a group of friends: **nobody has to wait for strangers** to get into the water, and the crew adapts the pace and the stops to whoever is on board.
The route is the one this catamaran runs every day — the Albufeira coastline, the **Galé** cliffs, the **Benagil caves** area, and a swim stop when the sea allows. The difference is who decides to stay a little longer.
**The price is for the boat**, not per person. Split it between the group, and past a certain number it is what makes it competitive.
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
What's included
- ✓Private charter of the MARA catamaran
- ✓Dedicated crew
- ✓Sailing along the coastline, cliffs and the Benagil caves area
- ✓Swim stop (subject to sea conditions)
- ✓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
⚠ On the booking calendar, the private departure appears as **PRIVATE TRIP** — that is the line that books the whole boat; the others are individual tickets on the shared trip. A private charter is only available while no individual bookings have been made for that departure; if you cannot find the date you want, talk to us. On the MARA that line carries the seasonal rate (LOW, MED or HIGH) — the one that applies opens on the date you choose. 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. Reaching the caves area and the swim stop both depend on the sea and wind. The price varies with the date — the 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.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for the whole boat, not per head, up to 66 people — it is the same whether a few of you go or the full group.
What languages is the activity in?
The crew or guide speak Portuguese and English.
What changes on one of these private charters?
You get the whole boat and the crew to your group alone, and the route stops being tied to anyone else's timetable — longer at the caves, longer at anchor, or a stop that would not fit on a shared departure. It is the format for birthdays, team-building and family gatherings. Tell us how many of you there are and what you want to do, and we set it up with the operator before confirming.
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 €2,841