Benagil Cave (Algar de Benagil)

Why go

The Algar de Benagil is a sea cave at Benagil in Lagoa municipality, one of the group of caves between Vale do Lapa and Albandeira beaches that the harbour master of Portimão calls the Grutas de Benagil. Its navigation rules for the area (Edital 19/2024, amended by Edital 9/2025) forbid landing on or using the sand inside the cave and entering it by swimming or with flotation aids, unless the competent authorities exceptionally authorise it. The same rules separate the routes in: non-motorised craft such as kayaks enter and leave only by the eastern entrance in guided groups, and motorised boats only by the western one; the 2025 amendment says unguided tours and rentals of non-motorised craft are not allowed. The edicts say everyone on a visit must wear a life jacket throughout, and a helmet near the strips at risk of cliff falls. The harbour master's edict says the beach inside the cave lies wholly within the cliff-fall risk zone and that the area is part of the Recife do Algarve – Pedra do Valado marine natural park.