When visiting the Algarve Coast of Portugal, the very first thing we needed to see was Benagil Cave. Reserving a tour was complicated, as we heard a number of conflicting studies on the best way to go to Benagil Cave. We visited Benagil Collapse October 2023. Throughout our Benagil Caves go to, new guidelines had been put into place, however issues have already modified for 2024.
What’s Benagil Cave?
Benagil Cave is the Alagarve’s most well-known sea cave due to its spectacular domed ceiling with a pure skylight. Inside, the ocean cave boasts a golden sand seashore, layers of sandstone partitions, and turquoise waters, making a mesmerizing play of sunshine and shade.
The cave is situated within the small village of Benagil, a brief distance from common cities reminiscent of Carvoeiro and Portimão. Benagil Cave boat excursions depart from Portimão, making it a handy and accessible vacation spot for guests exploring the Algarve’s shoreline. It’s also situated on the Seven Hanging Valleys Path, a well-known hike within the Algarve.
The Seven Hanging Valleys Path is a 5.7km hike that takes you from Praia da Marinha to Vale Centeanes. Benagil Cave is situated in the midst of the hike on the small village of Benagil. There’s a parking zone close by, so even in case you don’t hike the complete Seven Hanging Valleys Path, you’ll be able to go to Benagil Cave and see it from the skylight above.
Guests used to have the ability to swim or kayak from the village of Benagil to Benagil seashore, however that’s not potential except on a guided tour.
New Guidelines and Laws for Benagil Cave
Native authorities have launched new measures to protect Benagil Cave. The cave is a protected pure marvel, and with the growing variety of guests, it was changing into harmful and unmanageable. Boats had been capsizing, and the seashore was continuously overcrowded. By limiting boats and stopping entry, Benagil Cave might be preserved for years to come back.
Restricted Entry: To handle the circulate of vacationers and scale back environmental affect, entry to the caves is now restricted. It’s important to e book your tour upfront, particularly throughout peak season (June to September).
Guided Excursions Solely: Solo kayaking and swimming to the caves are not allowed for security causes. All visits have to be a part of an organized boat tour with licensed operators.
This ensures that the caves are visited sustainably and safely. We noticed police boats patrolling the coast, they usually had been very severe about conservation. We additionally noticed kayakers capsizing. We have now heard that fines for swimming within the cave might be as excessive as €2500.
Environmental Price: A small environmental charge has been launched, which is included within the tour value. This charge helps conservation efforts and helps preserve the caves’ pure magnificence.
Is Benagil Cave Open in 2024?
Sure, the Benagil Cave will open to guests in 2024. Nevertheless, attributable to new laws and to make sure guests’ security, entry to the cave is now solely allowed by means of organized boat excursions with licensed operators. These measures assist handle the variety of vacationers and scale back the environmental affect.
Belief me, even with measures in place after we had been visiting Benagil Cave, it was a zoo on the market on the water. Kayaks capsized, boats lined as much as enter the caves, and coming into Benagil Cave was solely a brief 3 or 4-minute expertise.
Nevertheless, we liked our boat tour of the Algarve coast. The opposite sea caves, sea arches, and excessive limestone cliffs make it some of the spectacular coasts on the earth. It places the Nice Ocean Street in Australia to disgrace, and I assumed that was spectacular.
Are you able to swim in Benagil Cave?
As a consequence of regulation modifications, impartial kayakers, swimming, and touchdown on the seashore had been not allowed. However you’ll be able to e book organized kayaking excursions. When doing extra analysis, we discovered one tour that gives a swim in Benagil Cave.
This tour claims to be the one one which swims to Benagil Cave and takes you proper contained in the cave. We discover this tough to imagine as a result of after we visited, no person was allowed to step foot on Benagil Seashore, however issues do change rapidly. They’re the one tour we might discover, and after we put in dates to e book, they accepted our reserving, so this can be a risk. In case you discover out extra, please tell us. The tour is thru Viator, with Vagamundo Excursions as its operator. When searching for the Vagumndo Excursions web site, I discovered that it was not in operation. So, this may very well be an outdated hyperlink.
On the time of writing, Portugal Tourism is having a gathering to solidify the Benagil Cave Navigation guidelines. The perfect recommendation we can provide is to e book an organized tour. Swimming to the cave might be harmful regardless, and the companies alongside the Algarve Coast will know what the brand new guidelines are.
How you can Go to Benagil Cave
We took a ship tour to succeed in the Benagil Cave, and even after the authorities met this week, I’m certain that the one technique to go to Benagil Cave can be by organized tour.
In 2024, some individuals have claimed that motor boats are not allowed, whereas others declare that kayaks and SUPs are not allowed. Once we visited on the finish of the season final 12 months, Kayaking and SUPs weren’t allowed attributable to overcrowding and security causes.
As we talked about above, we noticed kayakers capsize in different sea caves and watched as teams of kayakers went into the caves, taking lots of time and looking out chaotic. So, the perfect recommendation we can provide is to e book an organized tour with a licensed operator to make sure that you’re following the regulation.
If companies have their say, I imagine that motorboat excursions will win out. These excursions depart from numerous close by places, reminiscent of Carvoeiro and Portimão, making it straightforward for vacationers to incorporate this pure marvel of their Algarve itinerary. Motorboats are additionally very straightforward to navigate and police. We’ll replace you as quickly as we hear extra.
Are you able to Go to Benagil Cave by Land?
You can’t go to Benagil Cave by land; it’s only accessible by sea. Nevertheless, if you wish to see Benagil Cave from above, you’ll be able to view it from land. Benagil Cave is situated alongside the Seven Hanging Valleys Path. You can’t enter the cave from above, however you’ll be able to take a look at it from above by means of its domed ceiling. There’s a fence round it, so the view isn’t the perfect, however it’s a stunning hike.
Additionally, whereas we had been there, many individuals hopped over the obstacles for his or her Instagram images. We don’t suggest this. That fall would do some severe harm and trigger an enormous fantastic.
Getting To Benagil Cave
By Boat Tour: As of October 2023, the one technique to go to Benagil Caves was by boat tour. These excursions depart from numerous factors alongside the Algarve coast, together with Benagil Seashore, Carvoeiro, and Portimão.
Our Tour of Benagil Cave
We booked our Benagil Cave boat tour by means of our lodge, The Tivoli Carvoiero. Beginning on the Arade River, we took a zodiac tour to the Atlantic Ocean by means of Portimão, the place we noticed the picturesque fishing village of Ferragudo (among the many 20 most stunning villages within the nation) and the Fort of S. João do Arade, often known as Citadel of Ferragudo, constructed within the nineteenth century.
Our tour coated lots of floor, taking us to see the well-known seashores of the Algarve, together with Praia da Rocha, Praia Grande, Carvoeiro, Vale de Covo, which was situated instantly in entrance of our lodge, and Carvalho. The grand finale was Algar de Benagil. In case you can, make certain to take a seat on the entrance of the boat for optimum viewing. You may e book an identical tour right here.
We booked the primary tour of the morning that began at 10 am. We had been at Benagil at about 11 am, which was excellent because the sunbeams had been excessive sufficient to gentle the cave.
Useful Tricks to Go to Benagil Cave
Guide in Advance: Given the brand new restrictions and recognition of the Benagil Caves, reserving your tour nicely upfront is essential. On-line bookings are extremely really useful.
Select a small boat – We booked a small zodiac velocity boat tour that held 18 individuals. There have been some very giant boats on the water that might not get into the caves like we did. In case you can, get on the boat first and go proper to the entrance. Dave and I noticed far more on the entrance than the remainder of the passengers.
Select the Proper Time: Early morning excursions are much less crowded and provide the perfect lighting for images. Sundown excursions are additionally magical, with the golden gentle illuminating the cave’s inside. Tides additionally have an effect on coming into some caves however Benagil might be entered at any time.
What to Convey: Pack gentle, however don’t neglect necessities like sunscreen, a hat, and a water-resistant digital camera. Some excursions present life jackets and waterproof baggage, nevertheless it’s finest to verify upfront.
Images – We used a GoPro when visiting Benagil Caves however Dave additionally had his digital camera a Sony A1. Being on a velocity boat, our tools was secure and dry, however we packed a dry bag in case of splashing.
Keep Secure: Hearken to your guides, put on your life jacket, and respect the pure surroundings. Swimming close to the caves might be harmful attributable to robust currents and boat visitors.
Discover Close by: After your tour, take a while to discover the encompassing space. The Algarve coast is dotted with charming villages, beautiful seashores, and wonderful seafood eating places.
Must you Go to Benagil Collapse 2024?
Completely! Visiting the Benagil Caves is an unforgettable expertise. Irrespective of which means you see it, the Algarve Coast is value it alone. The ocean cliffs, different sea caves, and arches are a spectacular sight, and going alongside the coast from Portimao to Praia da Marinha was some of the stunning boat journeys we’ve ever taken.
With the brand new guidelines in place, you’ll be able to take pleasure in this pure marvel responsibly and sustainably. Whether or not you’re a nature fanatic, a images buff, or just searching for an journey, the Benagil Caves are value visiting. So, e book your tour, pack your necessities, and prepare to discover the magical Benagil Caves!