7 Best Boat Tours in Albufeira

Among the best things to do in Albufeira are boat trips along the coast. If there is one thing that stands out in this Algarve city, it is its beaches and coves, characterised by their white sand and turquoise water.

Thanks to a boat trip you can enjoy unique views of the city's natural heritage. You may also be lucky enough to spot dolphins, as well as enjoy a dreamy sunset from the boat.

Very close to Albufeira, in the village of Benagil, is one of the most famous rock formations in the Algarve. The impressive Benagil Caves are the result of erosion by the sea over the years. One of the most popular boat trips (or speedboat if you prefer) from Albufeira is this one.

During the trip you are likely to spot dolphins, both common and bottlenose. Some, in fact, may come close to the boat. In the event that you don't see them, you will certainly enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean and the many white sandy beaches you will leave in your wake.

Most boat trips to the Benagil Caves include stops at some of Albufeira's best beaches. Of course, you'll be able to take a dip and take pictures of the views to remember.

Interesting details

• Price: around 29 euros to book a speedboat tour of the Benagil Caves and around 350 euros by boat.
• Duration: about two hours.
• Means of transport: boat or speedboat.

Maybe you are looking for a boat trip in Albufeira with a touch of romance and charm. In that case, I recommend a sunset boat trip. Thanks to the timing of these tours, you can enjoy a unique colourful spectacle and watch the sun set over the ocean.

Some sunset boat tours in Albufeira also include certain extras, such as snacks on board, champagne or stops at magical coves. The timing of this tour varies depending on the season, but these tours usually start one or two hours before sunset so that you can watch the sunset from a strategic location.

This is definitely one of the best things to do in April in Albufeira. You also have the opportunity to charter a private yacht in Albufeira if you prefer something more intimate and exclusive.

Interesting details

• Price: around 20-50 euros, depending on the extras included and the length of the trip. 984 if you opt for the private yacht.
• Duration: between two and three hours.
• Means of transport: boat or yacht.

The first boat trip I recommend in Albufeira is to book a trip on the Leaozinho, a replica of an authentic pirate ship. On board, you will be able to sail the Atlantic and discover the most hidden places of Albufeira.

During this time, you will discover all kinds of places that you could not access otherwise, such as caves, grottoes or beautiful white sandy coves. Among the highlights is Praia Sao Rafael, famous for its cliffs.

You will also see the Capela da Nossa Snehora da Rocha, a magical chapel perched on top of a cliff. In addition, a visit to the beach of da Marinha, which is considered one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world according to the Michelin guide, is a must.

Interesting details

• Price: Approximately 58 euros.
• Duration: Approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: Pirate ship
• Advantages of this option: includes a barbecue lunch on one of the beaches visited.

If you are interested in marine wildlife, this boat trip is definitely for you. There are many excursions organised in Albufeira to see dolphins. There are kayak, speedboat and, of course, boat trips. It is also very common for them to approach the boat.

However, you must bear in mind that, as they are not in captivity, no organiser can guarantee that you will see dolphins. Even so, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Some excursions of this type usually include stops so that you can take a dip or visit nearby beaches and coves. This makes the duration vary greatly, although they generally last between 2 and 4 hours. Without a doubt, this is one of the best Albufeira tours to do in the summer months.

Details of interest

• Price: around 20-50 euros, depending on the extras included and the length of the tour.
• Duration: between two and four hours.
• Means of transport: Boat

Boat trips are usually experiences where tranquillity and relaxation reign supreme. In fact, it is one of the best activities in Albufeira for the less adventurous. However, you can always add a touch of adventure with an extra experience.

That's the case of the snorkelling boat trip, a tour that combines both activities to offer you a few hours of pure fun. These boat trips include the necessary equipment for snorkelling. In addition, the different companies that organise them choose ideal locations so that you can contemplate the marine world to the full.

Of course, there are always guides who are experts in this sport, who will give you indications and will be attentive to your safety. Furthermore, there are different levels of experience, so you don't have to worry if you are a beginner in snorkelling.

Details of interest

• Price: around 20-50 euros, depending on the extras included and the duration of the trip.
• Duration: between one and three hours, depending on the extra activities included in the trip.
• Means of transport: boat.

Holidays are the time to rest, to disconnect from the routine and to dedicate yourself only to enjoy yourself. To do all this, it is ideal to take a catamaran trip in Albufeira. During the trip you can relax on deck while you sunbathe, sip a cocktail or take a dip in the ocean.

The routes vary depending on the tour operator organising the trip, but the boats usually depart from the port of Albufeira to other nearby ports, with visits to Praia da Marinha being very common.

This is one of the most spectacular beaches in the Algarve and has several awards to its name. It stands out for its limestone cliffs and crystal clear water. Therefore, when choosing between the different companies, I advise you to opt for those that include this destination on their route.

Interesting details

• Price: around 25-60 euros per person, depending on whether you do the excursion in high or low season, as well as the extras included.
• Duration: approximately two to four hours.
• Means of transport: boat.

Ponta da Piedade is a set of rock formations located very close to the town of Lagos, one of the most famous in the Algarve. Visiting this place is a very common (and dare I say essential) activity for those who travel to the south of Portugal.

Ponta da Piedade has numerous caves and grottoes bathed by the ocean, as well as passages that can only be accessed by boat. The site is about 30 kilometres from Albufeira, so these excursions are usually half-day trips. There are also longer ones that include visits to other places in the town of Lagos.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 30 euros per person.
• Duration: about 6 hours, although there are also longer ones.
• Means of transport: boat.

Most boat trips in Albufeira can be booked online. Of course, you can also book excursions at the company's own offices. However, my advice is to book a boat trip in advance, especially if you are going in high season.

To book the tour, normally all you have to do is go to the official website of the company and enter your details. You will need to provide your full name, telephone number and email address, as well as the dates of the booking.

Next, you will need to provide information regarding the method of payment, such as the bank account number. Finally, you will receive your booking vouchers by email. Make sure you book on a reputable website, otherwise you could face a scam.

The duration of a boat trip in Albufeira depends on many things. First of all, the length of the boat trip varies depending on the destination, as you can guess. In addition, the stops you make during the excursion also play a role.

Some tours, such as the snorkelling tour or the Ponta da Piedade tour, are longer.

Generally, to give you an idea, the minimum duration for this type of tour in Albufeira is about two hours.

On boat trips in and around Albufeira you will enjoy unique views of the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches that make up the coast of Portugal. You will see different natural formations such as caves, grottoes, cliffs and coves.

In addition, if you wish, you can also dive into the depths of the ocean to see the marine life that lives there.

There are also excursions that make stops in different towns, so you can get off the boat and take a stroll through a fishing village or similar. As you can see, the main protagonist is the ocean and its beaches, but you can also add other attractions to your boat trip.

Booking a boat trip is a wonderful experience, but there can be some discomfort. If you have never been on a boat before, I advise you to take some motion sickness tablets with you. That way, if you suffer from discomfort, you can remedy it.

In addition, I also advise you to check out different companies, their opinions and prices before booking any excursion. The reality is that there are many of them that inflate prices, taking advantage of tourists, so by comparing them you will be able to find the best value for money.

On the other hand, I also recommend that you book the activity in advance using your computer or mobile phone. This advice is even more important if you are travelling to Albufeira in high season.

Prices vary greatly depending on the type of excursion. As you may have noticed, there is a lot of variety for these excursions. Some include water sports, such as snorkelling; others go away from Albufeira to visit nearby towns, such as Lago. Thus, all these options have a direct influence on the price of the excursion.

In any case, prices usually range from 20 to 60 euros. It all depends on the company you choose, the time of year and the extras you decide to add to your excursion.

Limiting Albufeira to the city is a big mistake, as you will miss out on many of the treasures the province has to offer. One of the most beautiful villages you can visit is Olhos de Água, located just a few kilometres from Albufeira.

This fishing village is famous for its springs, which are uncovered at low tide. If you are looking for a more rural atmosphere, I recommend a visit to Alte, located in the inland hills of southern Portugal.

Also very famous is the village of Guia, where I recommend you try some of the typical recipes based on farm chickens. You can visit its church, which has a very interesting history.