Portimão (Benagil cave) | Portugal - Life of a Passion

Must do near Portimão? Benagil cave! This cave has its own beach and is characterized by a hole in the ceiling.

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Benagil Cave

We went there around 9 am to reserve our boat ride for 11 am. In the meantime, we enjoyed the Benagil beach. During my research, I read that you can swim, kayak or take a boat to the cave. I tried to convince my father to try to swim to it, but due to the cold water and unknown distance, we agreed not to do so. A Belgian couple behind us had overheard our conversation and invited me to swim along. They were so nice!

benagil beach in Portimão, the Algarve,Portugal

Once we arrived at the Benagil cave (it’s a 10-minute swim), I was baffled. I had never seen anything like it! When you get out of the water, it’s rather chilly so better stay on the sunny spot! We decided to go back to the beach and to take out my GoPro and to swim a second time to the cave.

Fun fact: when I took a dive in the water, I saw something black and immediately swam backward (I panicked). I literally thought it was a shark (yes oh my…). Been watching too much shark movies hehe.

After my heart attack, we arrived a second time at the cave. This time, the cave was already filled with kayakers and tourists! In just 20 minutes. So once again if you want to see this beauty in its purest form, go early!

benagil cave in Portimão, the Algarve, Portugal

After my second swim, my parents and I got on the boat tour. The tour showed us a lot of caves along the shore. Inside the caves there is a lot of fog, well that’s what I thought. The fog was actually carbon dioxide emissions. Those gasses cannot leave the cave and are piling up. What a healthy boat ride! Honestly, I think those gasses are hurting caves and they are harming the environment (I saw no fish during my 2-week stay). Sadly, I took one of those boats but I should have taken a kayak which is eco-friendlier, plus I would have done an exercise 😉

a cave alongside the coast in Portimão, the Algarve, Portugal

Algar Seco

After the Benagil cave, we went to Algar Seco. A nature site carved out by the sea. Once again, we met that Belgian couple there and they helped me get into the ‘pool’. The waves have carved out the rocks so they are pointy as hell! When the wave is at its highest point, you should dive into the water. If you wait, the wave will pull you in and smack you against those pointy rocks! Some people I saw had scars on them. So be attentive!

Fun fact: If you don’t want to swim in this natural pool, you can also dive from the rocks into the sea. There are different heights to choose from.

Praia da Rocha

From there on we rode to Portimão via Ferragudo, a typical fishermen town. Their houses are so small you would think it was the size of your bedroom. Eventually, in Portimão we went to see the Praia da Rocha, the most photographed beach of the Algarve. To be honest, we were a bit disappointed by this beach. It was beautiful sure, but we expected it to be more beautiful than Praia Dona Ana and Benagil cave. Maybe we should have visited Praia da Rocha first, to build up our expectations!