Portimão: Benagil Caves & Coastline
Highlights
- ✓Departing through the mouth of the Arade, in Portimão
- ✓Visit inside the Benagil Cave, available by support boat — a €9 per person extra
- ✓Praia dos Caneiros, Carvoeiro and the Alfanzina lighthouse along the way
- ✓Marvel at Praia da Marinha, seen from the water
- ✓Top Deck access available — 20 seats, the view from above and sparkling wine
About this activity
Out through the mouth of the Arade in Portimão to the Benagil Cave, with a welcome drink, inflatables in the sea and the option of going inside the cave on a support boat.
The boat leaves Marina de Portimão through the mouth of the Arade, the river that separates the city from Ferragudo. From there it runs east, where the coast closes into tall ochre cliffs: this is the Carvoeiro stretch, the most jagged in the Algarve, full of arches, stacks and beaches you can only reach by sea.
The destination is the Benagil Cave, with its opening in the roof. And here you get something most catamaran trips do not offer: for €9 per person, a support boat takes you right inside, under the round skylight, with the cave's sand within reach. It is the difference between seeing the photograph and standing in it.
Itinerary
- 1Check-in at the operator's desk, 30 minutes before departure
- 2Boarding at Marina de Portimão and out through the mouth of the Arade
- 3East along the coast — Praia dos Caneiros, the Carvoeiro cliffs and the Alfanzina lighthouse
- 4The Benagil Cave, with a support boat taking inside anyone who wants to go
- 5A stop in front of Praia da Marinha, with inflatables and a swim
- 6Back to Marina de Portimão
What's included
- ✓A catamaran trip of about 3 hours
- ✓Welcome drink
- ✓The Benagil Cave seen from the sea
- ✓Praia dos Caneiros, Carvoeiro and the Alfanzina lighthouse
- ✓A stop in front of Praia da Marinha
- ✓Inflatables available to play in the sea
- ✓Swim stop in the sea, conditions permitting
- ✓Crew sharing the stories and curiosities of the coast
- ✓Life jackets
Stops and access may be adjusted on the day, depending on sea or weather conditions.
Location
Where this activity starts
Marina de Portimão
Marina de Portimão, Zona Sul junto à praia, 8500-311 Portimão
Important information
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A light jacket for the wind at sea
Not recommended for
For safety reasons, there is no landing and no swimming inside the caves. Going inside the Benagil Cave is done on a support boat and depends on the sea 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
The catamaran has a bar on board that takes card payments, and two toilets. There is a ramp onto the boat for a wheelchair, walker or pushchair — the toilets are not accessible, so it is worth telling us beforehand. The activity is free for children under 1 year old.
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 €25