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The Benagil Cave, also known as the Algar de Benagil, is a cavity carved by the force of the Atlantic Ocean’s tides in the sedimentary rock of the Algarve’s cliffs.
This sea cave, also known locally as the Cathedral, has a skylight at the top through which sunlight enters.
The different sedimentary layers of the rock, which were deposited at different geological epochs, take on different colors that clearly define each of their formation epochs.
At the bottom of the cave, there is a real beach of golden and clean sand, which is a popular underground beach among visitors.
This cave can only be reached by sea.
This one-of-a-kind combination of characteristics (being a giant cave; having walls formed by layers of different colors; having a natural skylight through which the light from the sun enters; having an expanse of fine, golden, and clean sand bathed by the ocean; having difficult access and only possible by sea) makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Algarve coast.
Thousands of people visit this natural pearl every year as part of their vacation in the Algarve.
They do not leave the Algarve without visiting the Benagil cave, whether they are simply curious, Instagrammers, bloggers, or even magazine editors, or even newly married couples who want to have an unforgettable image in their album of memories.
Because of the high level of interest in the Benagil cave among tourists, there is a thriving industry centered on this privileged location that nature provides to lovers of beauty and nature.
They delight visitors every day, from small fishing boats to large catamarans, allowing them access to this gem.
However, due to the large number of people who fight every day for a spot that allows them to enter the cave, some rules were imposed to discipline the tourist attraction.
The popularity of this sea cave is such that organized tours leave from a variety of locations, some of which are quite remote, such as Lagos, Albufeira, or even Vilamoura.
Of course, nearby towns such as Carvoeiro, Armaço de Pêra, and Portimão have organized tour systems as well.
If you decide to visit the Benagil cave, we recommend that you also take a coastal walk that includes the Benagil cave. Many other caves in the area are also worth seeing.
A smaller boat, which allows you to enter more caves, is an option to consider if you want to enter many of them and feel confident sailing.
One of them, and possibly the most important, is that it is not permitted to disembark inside the cave.
This, in addition to being dangerous, would turn the interior beach into a settlement of people, making it impossible to see the sand.
As a result, the only way to disembark at this location is to use a Kayak or SUP board.
Many visitors come on their own. This is possible, but it is extremely dangerous!
Every year, the sea currents and tides cause inconvenience to the most unsuspecting visitors. It is common for maritime authorities to intervene to rescue those who have been imprisoned for failing to respect the force of nature.
It is recommended to visit the Benagil cave with an organized group and an experienced guide.
The guides are familiar with the sea currents and how to defend against them. They are very familiar with all of the corners of this cave and the other nearby caves, which is a big plus. They know how to keep people safe in the event of sudden changes in sea conditions.
Considering what we’ve shown here, the Benagil cave is a recommendation for our platform and all visitors.
We have a page dedicated to offers to visit the Benagil cave and others in the area. We recommend that you look around and see if you can find anything that interests you.
Visit; have fun; take great photos, but keep in mind:
Safety first!
