The winds and waves joined forces to create a cathedral worthy of God Neptune: crowned by a round skylight, the Benagil Sea Cave is a spectacular light-filled dome enclosing a beach within its walls. It is a truly unique place. Discover below how to visit this special sea cave.
You’ll find the seaside cave just around the corner from Benagil, a small fishing village located a short distance from Lagoa. Its dome is actually much larger than one would expect after seeing it from the outside.
The cave’s only viable entrances are a couple of arched openings bathed by the sea. Because of that, you are left with two options to enter its inner space:
- Jump aboard a boat from one of the surrounding beaches or harbours.
- Rent a kayak, inflatable dinghy, or SUP.
Please note that it is now strictly forbidden to swim into the Benagil Cave from the nearby beaches (more on that later). It is also forbidden to disembark or stay at the inner cave beach for any length of time. In short: No swimming, no landing. This applies to all forms of transport, including boats, kayaks, and Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs).
However, you can still appreciate and take photos of the cave’s interior from your boat or kayak. To enter the cave, you must use personal safety equipment, including a life jacket (and possibly a helmet) for the duration of the visit. In peak season, access might be restricted to a maximum stay of 2 minutes for motorized boats and up to 8 minutes for kayaks and other non-motorized vessels. Off-season, these staying times might be a bit more flexible.
Kayaks | Benagil Beach
Kayaks can be rented on the spot or from more distant operators. However, it is not possible to rent kayaks for solo excursions – to access the sea cave, all kayak trips must always be conducted with a certified guide.
Each guide can only travel with a maximum group of 6 kayaks (this is accurate at the time of publishing, but it might change). Such restriction can cause kayak excursions to fill up quickly during the summer.
In addition, there are excursions combining a boat trip with a kayak trip: you’ll start off on a boat and then move into a kayak closer to the caves. Life jackets are mandatory and will be provided by your tour operator. Operators might require you to sign a ‘statement of responsibility’ and show a valid ID document.
A more challenging option to enter the caves is to use a Stand-up Paddle Board (SUP); however, this option will only work if the sea is calm (which it normally is). Just like any other, SUP excursions must also be conducted with a guide.
Still, guided kayak and SUP tours offer a more immersive experience than a boat tour. Departing from Benagil Beach or nearby shores, these excursions (1.5 to 3 hours) bring you close to the water’s surface. You can also explore smaller nooks that boats cannot reach. A moderate fitness level is necessary for this rewarding adventure.
Boat Trips | Benagil Cave
A boat trip is a good option to visit the Benagil Sea Cave if you are not comfortable handling a kayak at sea. Throughout the coastal stretch between Pêra and Ferragudo, there is a large collection of grottoes, caves, natural arches, and secluded beaches that are only accessible by boat.
A visit to the Benagil Sea Cave can also include stopovers at many of these coastal attractions, including impressive landmarks like Ponta da Piedade and Praia da Marinha. Boat trips that combine dolphin-watching with visits to the caves are also available. These boat tours typically last one to three hours. Inside the Benagil Cave, boats circle slowly, allowing ample photo opportunities, though passengers remain onboard.
The price of a boat trip is highly variable, depending on factors like the distance to be travelled and the chosen vessel (skiff, catamaran, or semi-rigid boat). Due to tidal variations, the smaller the vessel, the better your chances are of entering deeper into the cave.
On the other hand, smaller boats can make your excursion much bumpier than excursions on larger vessels. However, as expected due to their size, the larger boats cannot enter the cave at all. Therefore, make sure that you are well-informed about such limitations before purchasing your trip. Besides Benagil, during the warmer months, boat tours also depart daily from places like Lagos, Portimão, Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Albufeira, Vilamoura, and Armação de Pêra.
Swimming to the Benagil Cave
Can you swim to Benagil Cave? No, you can’t. For safety reasons, swimming to the Benagil cave is now completely prohibited (even with the use of flotation aids such as buoys or bodyboards). Swimmers and other transgressors can be fined upwards of EUR 2000, or even more, depending on the specific situation.
Swimming to any of the other sea caves in the region is not recommended at all if you’re not a strong and experienced swimmer. The waves, jagged rocks, and unpredictable currents can turn your short expedition into a truly perilous odyssey. In summer, swimmers also have to contend with the procession of boats going back and forth along the coast.
This is why authorities are imposing bans on swimmers trying to access the many caves scattered throughout the coast. It goes without saying that swimming in a pool is completely different from swimming in the ocean.
If you decide to swim along the coast, make sure you’re equipped with fins (to maintain thrust), goggles (to maintain good visibility), and a bright-coloured swimsuit or wetsuit (to be seen by passing boats). Check the weather before setting off and postpone your journey if the sea is not blissfully calm. Even boats are not allowed to operate when the weather is unstable.
When swimming, always keep a safe distance from the rocks but do not stray too far from the coast (currents can easily push you out towards the open sea, no matter how strong a swimmer you are). The size and force of the waves also vary considerably according to your exact location.
Although infrequent, a rogue coastal wave can literally come out of the blue and engulf you. Please do not be misled by the serene waters depicted on tour operators’ websites (including on WalkAlgarve…): very calm waters are generally the norm in the Algarve, but there are exceptions to this rule.
When to Visit the Benagil Cave
Being one of the most famous sea caves in the world, it’s no surprise that the Benagil Sea Cave draws in thousands of visitors every month. Visitors should therefore book their trips well in advance. Late July, August, and early September are usually the busiest periods. However, the caves can be visited year-round as long as the weather permits. May, early June, late September, and early October are probably the best times to schedule boat trips. Also note that early morning (sunrise to 10 AM) provides the softest light for landscape photography and the best chance of avoiding crowds. [Image: Marian Baciu]
Benagil | How to Get There
The closest city to Benagil is Lagoa, which is only 7.5 kilometres away. The village is located 60 kilometres to the west of Faro and 20 kilometres to the east of Portimão. In summer, there are very few parking spaces near the tiny and packed Benagil Beach. To secure a spot, especially in summer, arrive before 8 AM. Driving offers the most flexibility for exploring the Algarve and reaching Benagil. Use ‘Praia de Benagil’ for GPS. From Faro Airport, the drive takes about an 45 minutes. Public transport via VAMUS buses is limited, often requiring transfers and seasonal schedules. These buses do not operate during weekends and on public holidays.
Since there are only a couple of bus routes connecting the tiny village to Lagoa, relying entirely on public transportation is not a viable option for most people. And, by the way, please do not ask for directions to the ‘Bengali’ cave – this common misspelling is always met with blank, confused stares. But taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber or Bolt provide direct access. If you opt for a taxi, always confirm an estimated fare with the driver beforehand.
Boat trips departing from other places in the Algarve not only include stops at many other coastal attractions but also solve the nuisance of parking your car in the diminutive village. Again, select your tour carefully because different operators offer quite different tour options.
A Glimpse from Above | Benagil Cave via the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
You can walk to the top of the cliff and peer in through the fenced sinkhole to get another viewpoint on the sea cave (but always keep a very safe distance from the uneven edge). While necessary, the safety fence somewhat limits the view into the cave’s interior but offers a dramatic bird’s-eye perspective of this geological wonder, entirely free of charge.
And the iconic hiking trail along the cliffs is very beautiful, taking you both to Praia do Carvalho and Praia da Marinha, two gorgeous beaches. Reachable only through a hidden set of rocky stairs, Praia do Carvalho is a secluded, old smuggler’s cove to the west of Benagil. The quintessential Algarvian beach, Praia da Marinha is an outstanding destination for both beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Safety First | Navigating Your Coastal Journey
Always choose licensed tour operators who prioritize safety, good service, and offer clear briefings. The Algarve sun is potent; thus, use high-SPF sunscreen, wear a hat, and drink plenty of water. When hiking, stay on marked trails and respect cliff safety barriers. A waterproof bag for valuables is a wise companion on any water-based tour.
An Ever-Changing Canvas | Benagil Cave’s Natural Artistry
The Benagil Sea Cave is a dynamic masterpiece, sculpted by millennia of Atlantic waves battering Miocene limestone cliffs. A collapsed sinkhole, its famed oculus allows sunlight to dance within. But this piece of natural art constantly evolves and erodes, a testament both to nature’s power and fragility.
Such geological vulnerability underscores the need for respectful, regulated access. So, embrace the journey, respect its delicate nature, and let the magic of the Benagil Sea Cave etch itself into your memory: through erosion or rising sea levels, it might be gone for good in 10 or 20 years. Enjoy!
