Albufeira: Dolphin Watching & Benagil Cave Boat Tour

Summary

Boat trip from Albufeira marina to Benagil caves with dolphin search

You’ll hop on a boat from Albufeira Marina with a local guide, searching for dolphins along 18km of wild Algarve coastline. Expect laughter as you bounce over waves, photos of hidden beaches and dramatic caves (including Benagil), plus stories from your guide. There’s time to breathe in sea air and maybe feel small under those cliffs — which kind of stays with you afterward.

What’s the experience like?

I barely had time to finish my coffee before we were at Albufeira Marina, squinting at the bright boats lined up like candy. Our guide — I think his name was João, but honestly I was still waking up — handed out life jackets and joked about the “Algarve perfume” (that salty air, mixed with sunscreen and engine oil). There was a group from Lisbon next to us; their little kid kept pointing at every seagull like it might be a dolphin already.

The boat ride along the Algarve coast was bumpier than I expected — not scary, just enough to make you laugh when you try to take a photo and end up with someone’s elbow instead of the cliffs. João kept up a running commentary in both Portuguese and English, pointing out beaches I’d never heard of and rock arches that looked like they could fall any second (they won’t, he promised). The main keyword here is dolphins — everyone’s eyes on the water, hoping for that fin. We did spot a pod eventually; they surfaced so quick I almost missed them while fiddling with my camera. You could hear someone behind me gasp — it wasn’t just kids who got excited.

Benagil Cave really does look unreal when you glide inside. Sunlight pours through the hole in the ceiling, lighting up the sand like some secret room. It smelled damp and earthy, but not unpleasant — more like old stone after rain. João explained how tides work here (I only half understood), then let us sit for a minute in the echoey quiet before heading back. On the return, people were quieter; maybe tired or just letting it all sink in. I still think about that weird golden light inside Benagil sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Albufeira Marina check-in and photo time

• Find Seacret Tours shop
• Check in 30 minutes before
• Take photos during tour

Top questions

How long is the dolphin & caves tour from Albufeira?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Is there hotel pickup included for this tour?

No, you meet at Seacret Tours shop in Albufeira Marina.

Are children allowed on this boat trip?

Children must be accompanied by an adult; children under 5 are not allowed.

Can pregnant women join this dolphin watching tour?

No, pregnant women are not permitted on this tour.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Will we definitely see dolphins?

Dolphin sightings are likely but not guaranteed as they are wild animals.

What should I bring for the Albufeira cave tour?

Bring warm clothes as it can get chilly on the water.

Does this day trip include lunch?

No meals are included in this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes live commentary from a local guide throughout the boat ride, all taxes and handling fees covered upfront, plus plenty of time for photos along the Algarve coast before returning to Albufeira Marina.