Benagil Caves & Coast from Portimão on an Eco-Friendly Catamaran

Meeting point

Where

Check-in is 15 min before departure. Boarding is on the north side of Portimão Marina, by the administrative building (Rua Simão Correia). Don’t enter just “Marina de Portimão” in Uber/taxi or you may be dropped on the south side, a 15-min walk away. We can’t wait for late arrivals. · Open in Google Maps

Departure

34 start times between 10:00 and 18:15 daily; scheduled year-round (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)

Return

This activity ends back at the meeting point

Pickup

No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point

Operator

Algarve SUN BOAT Trips; booking and payment are completed on Viator

1. The Fort of São João do Arade, sometimes referred to as the Castle of Arade, is a medieval fortification

   The first fortification on the site consisted of a watch tower erected in the reign of King John II of Portugal. Later, following the settlement of Ferragudo (around 1520), it is believed that the castle was encircled by a defensive wall (built on the rudimentary walls of the older walls). The origins of the Fort of Arade date back to the Philippine Dynasty, to defend the coast of the peninsula from attacks by pirates and privateers in service to the Crowns of northern Europe.

   Pass by, no stop
2. Ponta do Altar Lighthouse

   The lighthouse, of unusual design, consists of a small square turret attached to a one-story caretaker's house. It supports a red lantern on its terrace. The house, often compared with the appearance of a small schoolhouse, is painted white, with exposed stones and a red tiled roof. It is located on a promontory, used since prehistory for pagan rituals, on the eastern side of the entrance to the port of Portimão. The Ponta do Altar Lighthouse was first proposed by Ricardo Peyroteu on June 21, 1884. It started operations of 1 January 1893. The tower is 10 meters high and 2.7 meters wide. The original light was white and used oil as the fuel source. It combined with two smaller lights at the ends of the two moles at the entrance to Portimão harbour.

   Pass by, no stop
3. This small islet, with an area of just 0

   16 ha, is classified as IBA (Important Bird Area), due to its importance as nesting site for ardeids (herons). This place is especially interesting during spring, due to the existence of a colony of Cattle Egrets and Little Egrets - at this time of year the top of the islet is full of white dots, which are the herons in their nests.

   Pass by, no stop
4. Torre da Lapa was perhaps built in the 16th century as part of the watchtower system that helped defend the Algarve coast

   For hundreds of years, up there, the men from the neighborhood took turns watching the coast, always keeping an eye on the boats of corsairs, mostly from North Africa. In case of danger, it was also up there that a bell was rung, smoke signals were made or, at night, a fire was lit, so that people had time to put their possessions and lives in a safe place.

   Pass by, no stop
5. 5
   One of the deepest caves in this area

   Entering it is amazing! Only possible when weather conditions are favourable.

   3 min
6. 6
   Algar de Benagil

   Algar de Benagil is one of the most widespread places when the subject is the Algarve beaches, including the international press. No surprises, this beach / cave is incredibly beautiful. Whenever the conditions are favourable, we will enter it. Prepare your camera!

   3 min

About this tour, from the operator