Benagil Caves Boat Tour: Carvoeiro to Praia da Marinha

Summary

From Carvoeiro beach into Benagil’s caves and wild Algarve cliffs

You’ll slip into a small boat right on Carvoeiro beach, cruise beneath towering cliffs toward Benagil cave’s surreal sunlight, and drift past secret beaches with a local skipper sharing stories as you go. Expect easy boarding, new-generation life jackets, and a few unexpected moments of quiet awe along Europe’s wildest coastline.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I nearly lost a flip-flop trying to hop into the little fiberglass boat at Carvoeiro beach — not my most graceful moment. The box office girls just grinned (they’ve probably seen worse), and our skipper, Pedro, steadied the rail for me with a quick “no worries.” The sand was already warm underfoot even though it wasn’t noon yet, and the air smelled faintly salty and kind of sweet, like sunscreen and pine trees mixed together.

We set off along the coast, hugging these crazy gold cliffs that look like someone took a giant ice cream scoop to them. Pedro pointed out Vale de Covo and Carvalho beaches — I’d never even heard of those before. Then he slowed as we drifted inside Benagil cave. It’s bigger than you expect, honestly, with that sunlight pouring through the roof hole and echoing off the walls. I tried to take a photo but ended up just staring at the patterns in the rock instead. There was this weird hush inside, broken only by water slapping gently against the hull.

At one point Pedro joked about dolphins — “sometimes they show up when you least expect it,” he said, scanning the horizon. We didn’t see any that day (figures), but I didn’t mind; watching him steer us past Corredoura beach and finally Praia da Marinha felt almost meditative. The arches there are something else — all jagged and bright in the sun. Someone behind me kept whispering “wow” under their breath every time we rounded another bend. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour from Carvoeiro to Marinha

• Board boat at Carvoeiro beach
• Visit Vale de Covo and Carvalho beaches
• Explore Benagil sea cave
• See Corredoura beach
• Visit Praia da Marinha and its arches
• Watch for dolphins during tour

Top questions

How long is the Benagil boat tour from Carvoeiro?

The exact duration isn’t specified, but tours typically last around 1-2 hours along this stretch of coast.

Does the tour include visiting inside Benagil cave?

Yes, you’ll enter and see the interior of Benagil cave by boat.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs directly from Carvoeiro beach in Portugal.

Is boarding easy for people with limited mobility?

You can board with just one step onto the boat; it’s designed for easy access.

Are life jackets provided on this Benagil caves boat tour?

Yes, new generation automatic life jackets are included for everyone on board.

Will we see dolphins during the trip?

Dolphin sightings are possible but not guaranteed; sometimes they appear unexpectedly.

What beaches will we see on this route?

You’ll pass Vale de Covo, Carvalho, Benagil (Algar-de-Benagil), Corredoura, and Praia da Marinha beaches.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is included; it’s a sightseeing boat trip only.

What’s included

Your day includes an easy step-on boarding at Carvoeiro beach, a guided boat journey with skilled local skippers past dramatic sea caves and beaches like Benagil and Praia da Marinha, use of automatic life jackets for comfort and safety throughout your trip—and plenty of chances to hear stories or spot dolphins if luck is on your side before returning to shore.