Benagil Cave: best from Benagil or Portimão

What it is

The Algar de Benagil is a sea cave in the municipality of Lagoa, about 35 km east of Lagos. It has an inner sandy beach beneath a dome open at the top, through which the light comes in: the photo you have seen a thousand times. It can only be reached by sea, and since 2024 the visit has been regulated by the Portimão Harbour Master's Office. You can no longer set foot on the sand: you see it from the boat.

The rules in force

Since 13 August 2024 the Harbour Master's navigation instructions have applied to the 500-metre stretch of coast between Praia do Vale da Lapa and Praia de Albandeira:

• Landing and using the sand inside the cave is prohibited, for private individuals and companies alike.
• Arriving by swimming or with any floating object is prohibited.
• Hiring kayaks without a guide is prohibited. Kayak groups go with one guide for every six kayaks.
• The number of boats and the visit time are limited.

Fines range from €300 to €216,000. In addition, the Harbour Master or the Maritime Police may close access to the cave without notice when the sea or the number of boats makes it advisable.

Where to go from

From Lagos it is possible, but the boat takes a long time to get there and you spend most of the time sailing. You have two more practical options:

• From Portimão, about 25 minutes by car from Lagos. Santa Bernarda Cruzeiros, the pirate-ship-style sailing boat, leaves from Cais Vasco da Gama on 2 hr 30 cruises that enter the Benagil caves: at 11:30 all year, at 14:30 until 30 November and, in season until 30 September, also at sunrise (8:40) and at sunset (17:30). It costs €35 for adults, €25 for ages 11 to 17, €15 for ages 3 to 10, and babies do not pay. If the authority closes the cave that day, the cruise continues along the coast without entering and there is no refund.
• From Benagil beach, by car to the village itself. From the sand small boats leave on short trips, of half an hour to an hour, as well as guided kayak groups. It is the quickest option, but in summer parking near the beach is difficult: arrive early.

If what you want in Lagos is to paddle among caves, the kayak at Ponta da Piedade leaves from the same harbour and is a similar experience, closer.

Seeing it from above

You can also see it without a boat. The Seven Hanging Valleys trail, which follows the cliff edge between Praia da Marinha and Vale de Centeanes, passes above the cave: from up there you see the open dome and the sand at the bottom, behind a fence. It is about 6 km end to end and free; you can do just the Benagil stretch. Do not go near the edge outside the protected area.

When to go

From spring to autumn, with a calm sea. Boats also leave in winter, but with swell entry is often suspended. In summer, the first boat of the morning avoids the jam of boats at the mouth of the cave.

With children

By boat, yes: it is short and exciting. Santa Bernarda lets children under 3 go free. By kayak, check the minimum age with the operator: the open sea and the entrance to the cave require confident paddling. Wear a life jacket at all times, including on the small boats.