How to Kayak to Benagil Cave: What We Learned Firsthand

We booked our 2-person kayak for 7 am at Benagil Beach with one goal in mind … beating the tour groups and having the cave to ourselves. And it worked perfectly.

Now that guided tours are required, I’d highly recommend this top-rated kayak tour instead.

The guided tour kicks off from the calm Carvalho Beach (photo below), which we absolutely loved when we hiked the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.

My husband and I are big fans of the outdoors. We hike, bike, snorkel, kayak, and canoe—though we usually stick to calm rivers.

So when it came to kayaking in the ocean on our own, we figured, no big deal. We’ve got this.

Well… not exactly.

Ocean kayaking is a whole different game.

Paddling isn’t the hard part. It’s the launch and landing that’ll get you.

Getting the kayak past the crashing waves at the shoreline, and then trying to get it back onto the beach without wiping out? Way trickier than we expected.

We grabbed our life vests and paddles, walked down to the edge of Benagil Beach, and after a few clumsy (and slightly dramatic) tries to steady the kayak against the waves, we finally made it out onto the water!

Which brings me to this: a guided kayak tour is 100% the better way to go.

You’ve got someone helping steady the kayak as you get in and out, which makes the whole experience way smoother (and less comical). Trust me, we learned this the hard way!

The ocean was a little choppy but manageable. It didn’t take us long to get from Benagil Beach to Benagil Cave. Maybe 10 minutes if that.

As we rounded the corner, we saw two large arched openings in the cave.

The first entrance is much rougher compared to the second. 

Take the second entrance for smoother access. As we paddled towards the beach, we had our kayaks perfectly positioned and let the waves bring us in.

Before we knew it, the front of our kayak slammed into the beach. A wave quickly spun us sideways, and yep, dumped us right out.

Within seconds, the kayak flew up over my head and nearly took me out.

We stumbled onto the sand inside the cave, soaked, shivering, and looking like total drowned rats. The water was freezing in late May, and I was beyond relieved that no one was around to witness our less-than-graceful arrival.

Thankfully, my Ugo bag came through and kept all my valuables bone dry.

And once again, this is exactly why I recommend going with a guided kayak tour.

A guide will already be in the water, ready to help steady your kayak as you coast in and hop out.

No acrobatics (or wipeouts) required.

In the photo below (taken shortly after I got thoroughly soaked), you can spot the guides in the background helping their guests smoothly in and out of the kayaks.

Spinning around on the soft sand and gazing up at the light-filled dome was incredible.

We’ve done sea cave kayaking before, like in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, but this was different.

You can actually land inside the cave and explore on foot.

Such a rare and memorable experience!

We hung around the cave for about 40 minutes. One of the group kayak tours came through, snapped their photos, and paddled out. After they left, it was just us and another couple with a private guide.

I was still freezing from our unexpected dip in the ocean and already dreading the struggle of getting the kayak back into the water. But it was time to head out.

As we wrestled with the kayak and crashing waves (again), the private guide from the other group ran over without hesitation and helped steady our kayak.

Thanks to him, hopping in was quick and easy. We launched smoothly and paddled out with zero drama.

Our exit was much more graceful than our entrance!

I was genuinely grateful for his kindness.

My husband and I have traveled quite a bit, and the Portuguese consistently stand out as some of the warmest, most genuinely helpful people we’ve ever met.

✅   Go Early to Beat the Crowds

When we paddled out from Benagil Beach at 7 am, we had the cave to ourselves. It was magical. We soaked up a quiet 8 minutes inside before the first tour groups arrived.

Since self-guided kayaking is no longer allowed, the next best thing is this highly-rated sunrise guided tour. It gets you there before the crowds roll in.

By the time we returned to Benagil Beach around 8:30 am, more people were starting to arrive.

And by mid-day? It was packed. For reference, we went in late May, so expect even bigger crowds during peak summer.

✅   Consider a Change of Clothes

I was freezing after our unexpected swim. Ocean water is no joke, especially early in the day.

Hopefully, you’ll stay dry especially with a guided tour, but just in case, it’s smart to leave a change of clothes in the car.

✅   Bring a Wide-Angle Camera

Benagil Cave is bigger than it looks in photos. To really capture it, bring a phone with a wide-angle lens or a GoPro like I did.

✅   Stand-Up Paddleboard

You can also reach the cave by SUP. I’ve only done stand-up paddleboarding on calm water (once at a lake and a lagoon in Bora Bora).

Ocean waves? Totally different story.

If you’re confident on a paddleboard in ocean conditions, this is a unique way to explore. Blue Xperiences, located right on Benagil Beach, offers well-reviewed SUP tours.

✅   Boat Tour

A boat tour is a great alternative, especially if you’re traveling with young kids or have mobility limitations.

Just keep in mind that, due to local regulations, you won’t be able to disembark and walk inside the cave.

Tours depart from several locations, including Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, and directly from Benagil Beach.

Taruga Benagil Tours, based right on the beach, comes highly rated with a perfect 5/5 score and over 4,000 TripAdvisor reviews.

✅   Hike Above the Cave

We hiked the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, which passes directly over the top of Benagil Cave. You can see the cave’s “eye” from above, though fencing makes it hard to get a clear look inside.

Honestly, the view from the top wasn’t that impressive, but the hike itself is fantastic and well worth doing.

If it’s your first time in the Algarve, visiting Benagil Cave is an absolute must.

It’s truly one of the most unique and breathtaking spots in the region. With a bit of planning, your visit can go from great to unforgettable.

Set that early alarm. It’s worth it. And aim to be out on the water by 7 am.

Based on our own experience, we’d highly recommend booking this highly-rated guided sunrise kayak tour.

Having someone there to help you launch and land makes a huge difference, especially with those unpredictable waves. Trust us, it’ll make the whole experience smoother and way more enjoyable.

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Questions on how to kayak to Benagil Cave?

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