The Benagil Sea Cave is a natural wonder crowned by a round skylight and enclosing an intimate beach within its layered walls. It’s a cult destination that draws thousands of visitors each year.
There are a variety of ways to visit the cave, including boat trips, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, and self-led tours. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know before visiting.
1. Boat Trips
One of the best ways to see Benagil Sea Cave is on a boat trip. These take place daily from beaches including Armacao de Pera, Carvoeiro and Lagos.
Typically, these trips last between 2 and 4 hours depending on the tour operator and distance traveled. They take in much more of the coastline than a day trip to Benagil Beach and allow time to visit other caves along the way too.
There are also several kayak tours available from Benagil which offer a unique experience of the caves. These are great for families with small children and those who prefer to get active on the water rather than sitting around on the sand.
Some of these also include the chance to swim in secluded coves at different stops along the way. Whether you choose to explore the caves in a kayak or stand up paddleboard, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.
2. Kayaking or Paddleboarding
The Benagil Sea Cave is a large, natural rock formation that stretches out from the beach of Benagil in the Algarve. It's a wonder of nature, with a unique design - two entrances and a round skylight on the roof of the cave.
It's an imposing sight to see, a testament to thousands of years of wind and sea erosion. Inside, there's also a small beach, making it an ideal spot to relax and take photos.
Kayaking or paddleboarding is a popular option to visit the Benagil Cave, as it allows you to explore the region from the water. The trip takes about an hour to reach the cave from Benagil beach and includes a guided tour of other caves, cliffs and secluded beaches along the way.
The best part about the kayaking or paddleboarding tour is that you'll be able to spend your time paddling towards Benagil Cave, admiring the coastline from the water and taking photos! There are a few different boat companies that offer trips to the caves, however, they often fill up fast during the summer season.
3. Self-Led Tours
Unlike a guided tour, self-led tours allow you to enjoy the area at your own pace. Rather than relying on someone else to tell you where to go, you can wander the rugged limestone coastline at your own speed.
There are several self-led tours to Benagil Sea Cave from Portimao and Albufeira. Most of them combine a boat trip with a kayak or SUP tour to see the Benagil caves and surrounding rock formations.
The most popular option is to take a boat trip and visit the caves from the water, which is the easiest way to reach them. You can choose from small and fast boats or slightly larger ones, depending on the weather and how adventurous you want to be.
4. Swimming
Located on Portugal’s south coast, Benagil Sea Cave is a popular tourist attraction with a natural skylight that bathes it in sunlight. Whether you visit during high or low tide, it’s a magical experience that’s incredibly picturesque.
It’s a natural wonder, shaped by 20 million years of erosion. And it’s especially stunning during sunset, when a circular opening in its ceiling allows rays of light to pierce through and illuminate the sand below.
There are many different ways to see the cave, but the best way is by boat. There are countless daily trips leaving from Carvoeiro, Albuferia, Portimao and Lagos that go to the cave.
There are also a few tours that take in the cave plus dolphin spotting. These are great for animal lovers as you’ll spend time with a marine biologist who will show you everything about the local wildlife.
