Kayaking In The Benagil Cave, Portugal

Along the coast of the quaint fishing village of Benagil, within the gorgeous town of Carvoeiro, lies a remarkable collection of unique sea caves rising from the cool Atlantic waters. The picturesque setting is one of the most notable of the Algarve region in Portugal, and the grand Benagil Cave with its natural skylight is the highlight. Sometimes referred to as the Benagil Cathedral because of the various arches it forms, this imposing rock formation in its beautiful shades of brown and yellow is a reminder of the power of nature and the everlasting beauty of our planet. So, it is no surprise that kayaking in the Benagil Cave is one the most popular and magical adventures for visitors to experience while in southern Portugal.

Cursing the crystal-clear blues and greens that encompass beaches of Carvoeiro on a luminous January morning was a little taste of paradise from London’s wintery breeze. The warm rays tickled my shoulders as I balanced my kayak over the smooth roll of the waves, paddling in the serene atmosphere of an open ocean untouched by human activity for hours. I focused on a far-reaching, empty horizon and fell in love with a seaside devoid of mass tourist groups and large boats that usually dominate the area in the summer. 

Having the entire coast to myself was surreal and stunning and the only way to truly appreciate the enchanting experience of kayaking in and around the Bengail Cave. The smaller, darker grottos echo with beauty and a rush of waves when kayaking through or even when simply standing on their soft sands within – a fitting rise to the climax of touring the extravagant main feature. Perhaps despite all the joy of wandering the Bengail Cave, it is the quieter but more dramatic surrounding caves that are the best part of kayaking here.

Words can’t describe the feeling of paddling left, breaking right and circling around currents, and then taking a break to float in a space dominated by incredible natural features and the distant Praia do Marinha. It was a panorama of coastal magnificence displaying reminders of the planet’s millennia of evolution. 

After about an hour of admiring the hidden gems, my group of six finally came before the one-of-a-kind, oh-so-famous Bengail Cave. One by one, we paddled in, in awe of what we were witnessing. A marvel of nature unlike anything else in the world. 

By now, the sun had risen to high noon, and sunshine poured into the cave as I got out of my kayak, ready to dry off on the golden ground. Time flew by in a stream of peaceful exploring and relaxing, and it was at this moment when I truly realised the greatness of off-season travel. With no more than 15 people in the cave at one time, this was the perfect way to discover one of Portugal’s best attractions. The thought of kayaking in the Benagil Cave at any other time of the year felt worthless. I can’t imagine visiting when the place is filled with thousands of tourists and hundreds of big boats.

The Benagil Cave looks exactly as you would expect it to – gorgeous and theatrical and filled with smaller, intricate rock formations. A circular creation of wonder blessed with a blissful atmosphere that makes it clear that there is no question as to why the Michelin Guide considers it to be the 15^th most beautiful cave in the world. The Algarve coast is definitely a rare and special destination to be.

Are you ready to take on such a wonderful adventure?

Taking pictures on extraordinary excursions is one of my favourite things to do. However, apart from the few I took for the sake of this blog post, I chose to put my phone away and appreciate my surroundings with my own eyes rather than through a lens. Nature is unmatched when you’re not bothered about capturing the perfect angle. I would suggest you do the same.

How To Reach The Benagil Cave

The Benagil Cave is located on the beautiful Algarve coastline in the fishing town of Benagil. There are a few walking routes you can take if you want to admire the cave from its skylight, however the cave entrance is only accessible by sea. Typically you would start your journey from Benagil Beach, but this will depend on where your choice of tour operator is located.

Benagil Beach can be reached by car from various towns as follows:

• 15 minutes from Lagoa
• 25 minutes from Portimao
• 30 minutes from Albufeira 
• 45 minutes from the Faro 

While it is possible to use public transport, the routes are long and require much walking from the bus stops. Especially if you are booked for an early morning kayak tour, I highly recommend just arriving in a Bolt for ease. It cost me £50 from Faro but was well worth it. 

If you have your own car, beware that parking is limited in the area.

The Best Time To Visit The Benagil Cave For Kayaking

As I mentioned, summer is the worst time for kayaking in the Benagil Cave and surrounding grottos. If you hope for a tranquil experience (without the fear of crashing into a boat), plan your trip for any time between November and February. October and March-April are also worth it if you wish for warmer weather, but avoid this region in July and August at all costs. 

The best time of day for kayaking, regardless of the month, is in the early morning or evening to catch a vibrant sunset. 

Can You Visit Benagil Cave Without A Tour?

The simple answer is yes, but the correct answer is that you shouldn’t. 

You can swim 300m to the cave from Benagil Beach, but this is not recommended for swimmers regardless of capabilities due to the undercurrents, open water and other possible dangers.

You can also rent a kayak, SUP or boat and make your own way, but this would mean missing out on learning the fascinating legends and myths of the Algarve caves. Exploring without a guide also makes it far more dangerous when entering and leaving the various caves.

Book the tour I used by clicking on this link.

Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

Exploring the caves and rock formations across Carvoeiro is heaven from the water, but is just as marvellous from higher altitudes. Take advantage of the picturesque 12km trail that starts in Praia da Marinha and runs all the way to Praia de Vale Centenaes, and witness the dramatic natural features of this region from a new perceptive.

If you do not have time to complete the entire hike, its worth walking the short 40 minutes route from Benagil to the iconic Praia do Marinha.