Benagil Cave in 2024 – New Rules, Helpful Tips & The Best Tours

The local governing bodies have implemented new policies regarding boat access to Benagil Cave in a bid to protect its surroundings. As a natural wonder, the cave attracts numerous tourists and is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. This has led to boats capsizing all over the area, further contributing to the continuous crowding onto the beach. Without restrictions being placed on the number of boats allowed, Benagil Cave will lose its beauty.

Restricted Access: In a move to mitigate the damage that tourists are inflicting on the area, access to these caves has been restricted. Make sure to guarantee the reservation of your tour ahead of time if you plan to travel in the summer months of June to September as those are freeze times.

Guided Tours Only: Solo swimming and kayaking in the caves is not permitted anymore due to safety concerns. Now, all visits have to be by boat organized by licensed operators.

This guarantees that the sustainability of the ecosystem is protected when the caves are accessed. There were police boats that we saw at the coastline, and they were very strict about issuing conservation policies. We also witnessed people in kayaks upside down in the water. It is said that the fines for swimming into the cave can be up to €2500.

Environmental Fee: There is a small environmental fee now and it is included in the ticket price for the tour. This fee is used for conservation as well as in maintaining the natural beauty of the caves.

Is Benagil Cave Open in 2025?

Yes, the Benagil Cave will be open for access in 2025. However, because of the new policies that have been put in place which enhances the safety for the visitors, entering the cave can only be done via organized boat tours with licensed operators. These policies help to control the number of tourists that come in and the amount of waste that is caused.

Regardless of the safety precautions in place during our visit to Benagil Cave, the waters were an absolute circus. There were people in boats waiting to get into the caves and a whole bunch of kayaks flipped over. Going into Benagil Cave was only a 3 or 4 minute ride.

We enjoyed the boat tour of the Algarve coast, though. From the other sea caves, the sea arches, along the towering limestone cliffs, the Algarve Coast is one of the most breathtaking coasts in the world. It puts Australia’s Great Ocean Road to shame, and I thought that coastline was really awesome.

Is it possible to swim in Benagil Cave?

Independent kayaking, swimming, and the beach landing have all been banned because of new regulations. Organized kayaking excursions are available, however. While conducting more research, we found one tour that claims to offer a swim in Benagil Cave.

• Check out tailored guided tours of Bengali Cave.
• Benagil Cave boat tours from Algarve.

This tour claims that it is the only one which swims to Benagil Cave and takes you directly into the cave. We find this hard to believe because when we visited, nobody was permitted to step foot on Benagil Beach, but things do change quickly. They are the only tour we could find and when we put in dates to book, they accepted our booking, so this is a possibility. If you learn more, please tell us. The tour is through Viator with Vagamundo Tours as the operator. When looking for the Vagumndo Tours website, I found it was out of business. So, this may be an old link.

Currently, Portugal Tourism is conducting a forum to finalize the rules for the Navigation of Benagil Cave. The most useful suggestion we can offer is to book an organized tour. Swimming to the cave can be perilous no matter what, but the businesses along the Algarve Coast will know what the new rules are.

How to Reach Benagil Cave

To get to Benagil Cave, I took a boat tour. Even after the meeting that was held earlier this week, I am confident that the only way to visit the Benagil Cave will always be organized.

Some people in 2024 are saying that motor boats are no longer permitted, while others say it is the case with kayaks, canoes, and SUPs. Last year, towards the end of the season, the use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards was banned due to overcrowding and safety concerns.

As noted above, we witnessed people in kayaks who capsized in other sea caves, as well as the visually overwhelming groups of kayakers that became stuck in the caves for far too long. So, the best advice we can give is take a licensed tour with a tour operator so that you are not breaking the law.

If private business gets their wish, motorboat tours will win out. Unlike other tours, these leave from a multitude of nearby places like Carvoeiro and Portimão, which means easier access for tourists to add this natural beauty to their list of places to visit in Algarve. Additionally, motorboats are simple to manage and monitor.

Will You Able to Access the Benagil Cave by Land?

Benagil Cave is only accessible by sea. If you would like to view Benagil Cave from above, then a vantage point is possible from land. It is situated along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. While it is not possible to go inside the cave via the top, it is possible to see the cave from its domed ceiling that has an opening. There is a fence around it, which limits the view, but the hike is worth it.

A lot of people climbed over the fences to take their Instagram photographs with no regard for safety. We do not recommend this. A fall like that can cause intense harm and incur steep fines.

Getting To The Benagil Cave

By Boat Tour: There have only been boat tours available to the Benagil Caves as of October 2023. The tours leave from various places along the Algarve coast such as Benagil Beach, Carvoeiro, and Portimão.

Our Tour of Benagil Cave

We made a boat tour reservation at the Benagil Caves from our hotel, The Tivoli Carvoiero. This is what we started on the Arade River. After we took a zodiac tour to the Atlantic Ocean through Portimao, we came across the beautiful fishing village of Ferragudo which is considered to be one the 20 most-beautiful village’s in the country. We also visited the Castle of Ferragudo, built in the 19th century.

The tour covered beaches of the Algarve including Praia da Rocha, Praia Grande, Carvoeiro, Vale de Covo which was directly in front of our hotel and Carvalho. The final stops of the tour was Algar de Benagil, which I would recommend sitting at the front of the boat if possible. Tours can be booked here.

We chose to book the earliest tour which started at 10 in the morning. We reached Benagil around 11. At this time the sun beams were high, so they lit up the cave quite beautifully.

Helpful Tips to Visit Benagil Cave

Make Reservations: Due to the recent restrictions and the growing interest in the Benagil Caves, it is essential to book your tour as early as possible. We encourage you to make your reservations on the internet.

The small boat choice made our day. We booked a small zodiac speed boat tour for up to 18 passengers. Unlike the larger boats which lacked access to some caves, we could get inside. If possible, get on the boat first. You will have a greater chance of being at the most interesting parts of the caves, just like Dave and I did.

Select the Right Circadian Time: The best light for pictures is during the early morning hours when there are less people on the tour. Sunset tours are also magical. The golden light that shows the inspiring cave interior enhances the beauty of the cave. While time affects the entrance to some caves, Benagil can be navigated to anytime.

What not to forget: It’s always advised to pack light, but make sure you carry the most important things such as echo-friendly sunscreen, a sun hat, and a camera that is waterproof. In case some of the life jackets provided are not up to standard along with the waterproof bags, it’s upto you to make sure you carry them.

We brought a Go Pro along while visiting the Benagil Caves, in addition to a Sony A1 camera that Dave had with him. Since we were on a speed boat, both of our equipment and getting wet, were completely dry. Regardless, we did pack a dry bag in case things got splashy.

Ensure Your Safety: Follow your guides, put your life jacket on, and keep the area you are swimming in, clean and natural. Caves are exquisite places of nature but swimming close to them can be quite risky because of the boats crossing the place, currents, and strong winds.

Post your tour, make sure to spend some time sightseeing the area, especially The Algarve coastline as it is full of pretty small towns, beaches, and very delicious seafood places.

Is It A Good Idea To Go To Benagil Cave In 2024?

Definitely yes! With so much beauty in Portugal, the Benagil Caves are one of the unique places that one must visit atleast once in your lifetime. The complimentary views of the sea cliffs, other sea caves, and arches are jaw dropping and breathtaking, not to mention the boat trip from Portimao to Praia da Marinha which is one of the most beautiful boat trips we have ever captured.

You can now appreciate this natural wonder with greater sustainability thanks to the new regulations. From nature lovers to photography enthusiasts to anyone looking for their next adventure, the Benagil Caves are a site of interest. Hence, book your tours, pack your necessities, and get set for a splendid exploration of the Benagil Caves!