Discover Algarve beaches by Boat

Olhos de Água is a delightful fishing town situated at the very heart of the Algarve region in the South of Portugal.

The beach and village are named after the fresh water springs that flow onto the beach and are known as “Olhos de Água” or “olheiros”, meaning “eyes of water”.
You can see the springs at low tide at far eastern end of the beach.

The cliffs are another hallmark of Olhos de Água, since this is the first rocky beach in transition from the sandy eastern Algarve to the rocky western Algarve.

There are a range of great hotels and restaurants in the area with dramatic cliffs and views. 

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Praia dos Arrifes is a unique little bay sheltered by low, deeply-eroded cliffs, arches and caves. Its a wonderful spot and highly recommended.

Three large isolated rock formations dominate the line of the horizon giving the illusion of an impressive rock pool. It creates a great area for exploring, snorkelling and for the kids to enjoy.

The area surrounding the beach is cloaked in green of the pine trees, Europes only native palm tree.

Praia dos Arrifes is a favourite stopping point for our yacht charters. On cruises of 6 hours or more we often choose to anchor here and we can get you to the beach in a small tender (sea conditions allowing). the beach is the location of Restaurant A Sardinha which offers authentic Portuguese food direct from the ocean to the plate. Its been a favourite with our guests for many years. 

With its typical Portuguese cuisine famed for the fresh seafood and fish and a choice of  indoor and outdoor siting it is the perfect venue.

The atmosphere and hospitality are top notch, it is informal and friendly but with 5***** food and menu options.

For more informations about the restaurant A Sardinha CLICK HERE
 

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São Rafael is one of the best beaches in the central Algarve area and is typified by crystal clear shallow waters that are perfect for snorkelling and swimming. The beach itself and its golden sands are far enough away from Albufeira to avoid the huge crowds int he summer months.

The beach is in a small natural bay flanked by the multicoloured cliffs that make the Algarve coastline so appealing. São Rafael is a great choice as it features many rock formation and is close to the sea caves. São Rafael Beach is the perfect base to explore by Kayak or SUP the caves and hidden beaches. Two famous local features int he rock formations are: 

• "Ninho das Andorinhas" (the Swallow’s Nest) and
• "Ponte Pequena" (the Small Bridge). 

The Algarve is not rennound for Snorkelling but relatively speaking this is one of the best locations.

At lower tides there is a second little cove you can walk to from São Rafael which offers a little more seclusion than the main beach.

São Rafael is a Blue Flag beach and as such there are plenty of amenities including toilets and public showers. Lifeguard services are on the beach during the summer months. The beach has good disabled access with boardwalks and paved slopes down to the beach from the main car park above the beach.

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Located just west of the Fishermans beach in Albufeira, you’ll find the Xorino Cave.  The cave is famed to be where the Moors took refuge in the 13th century following the Christian re-conquest of the town of Albufeira.

Not just historically rich, this sheltered cave is pretty spectacular and doesn’t take too much effort to get to. It’s one of the closest caves to Vilamoura.

Xorino caves is a beautiful place to visit on the summer and with low tide the boats will be able to go inside and if you are lucky you will be able to see a glimpse of the nesting birds.

Going through the caves and see all the various rock formations will give it a sense of an adventure and its something that we can do on a yacht charter if the sea conditions and tides permit. 

The Xorino Cave gets its name from a nice tale that states when it rains it looks as if the cave is actually crying.

It certainly gives an air of mystery as you explore the area and a huge sense of adventure to discover the caves and rock formations.  Xorino cave is one place not to be missed, sailing from Vilamoura to visit the caves is easy and a great option. 

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The footpath to Praia da Coelha takes you alongside farmland, where you can see olive and carob trees that look like they must be a hundred years old. As you approach the sea, you begin to see exuberant coastal scrub consisting of juniper, Kermes oak, mastic trees and dwarf fan palms (Europe’s only native palm tree), which surround a stopping point about 100 metres from the beach.

Praia da coelha is a small bay, sheltered by high rock walls, with Alto da Coelha off to the east. A variety of marine fossils can be seen in the warmly-coloured cliffs, as well as caves and galleries that have been carved out of the limestone rock by the erosive effect of fresh and salt water.

The area around the beach retains its abundant, original vegetation and the rock formations, sculpted by the elements and the passage of time, are fascinating. You can use the wooden staircase leading up from the beach’s support facilities to get to the cliffs at the western end of the sands, but you are advised to exercise caution and keep a safe distance from the edge of the cliffs.

For the more adventurous Praia da Coelha is a great spot for snorkelling with calm, super clear water and plenty of sea life in and around the rocks.

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Praia do Evaristo is quite a small beach nested between small cliffs, the natural erosion over time has left many rocks scattered and int he water making it a very attractive beach full of colour. there are a selection of plantlife surrounding the cliffs softening the colours and the feel. 

You can walk the cliffs and get an elevated view of the rockpools and the lovely colours, they arent too steep and are easy to negotiate.

The seaweed and rock pools create a small marine haven for all kinds of life so snorkelling is an ideal activity for all ages and the kids will love it for sure. 

Naturally Evaristo beach is the location of the restaurant with the same name. "Evaristo" and is a regular stopping point for us on full day charters. With the full day cruise we stop hee for lunch sometimes and drop anchor off shore where the clients can then go to the restaurant by inflatable RIB to enjoy the wonderful selection of fresh fish and specialities. 

For more information about Evaristo Restaurant CLICK HERE

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The rock formations from this beach are typical of the western Algarve, providing a series of nooks and crannies for bathers, especially at the eastern end. The western end is more exposed.

 

This 5 kilometre beach is served by a handful of excellent beachside restaurants and bars.
One of the Algarve most exclusive hotel Vila Joya sits above this beach.

For more informations about the Resort Vila Joya CLICK HERE

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Sandy with beach bordered by amazing rocky cliffs. This is a private beach from one of the best resort from Portugal, Vila Vita Resort.

This amazing Five-star resort is member of The Leading Hotels of the World in front of a secluded white sandy beach and bordered by the dramatic coastline. They offer you you a glamorous retreat with perfect privacy.

For more information about the Vila Vita Parc CLICK HERE

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This very welcoming beach lies beside the Nossa Senhora da Rocha fishing harbour and therefore beachgoers share it with the fishing boats and equipment (especially buckets) and the huts where the fishermen store their things. The fishing boats also take tourists, on request, to visit the area’s sea caves, where you can admire the fascinating play of light and colour, and to isolated beaches which can only be accessed from the sea. The beach is delimited to the east by the high line of the cliff, where various sinkholes cut into the rock are visible, and to the west by long Nossa Senhora da Rocha promontory, from which you can see all the way along the coast to Albufeira. A tunnel that has been dug out underneath the promontory lets you access the neighbouring beach, Praia Nova. The beach is surrounded by abundant greenery, including juniper and wild olive and mastic trees. Many plants typical of these saline environments can be seen growing on the cliff face, along with numerous birds that take shelter here: falcons, black-headed gulls, herring gulls and swifts.

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Praia da Marinha is on of the iconic beaches from Portugal. Considered by the michelin guide as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe and one of the 100 from the world.
Warmly-coloured, very craggy and fissured limestone cliffs surround the beach, displaying a remarkable variety of curious rock formations, such as arches, caves, ledges and sinkholes. The diversity of marine habitats here is remarkable too. Rocky environments and fields of sea grass shelter colourful sea urchins and anemones, shoals of various types of bream, curious octopuses and cuttlefish and delicate seahorses.
Near the beach you can find the amazing rock formation "Catedral". This M shappe rock formation is one of the reasons why Praia da Marinha is so unique. During low tide is possible to walk all the way to see it.

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Benagil Cave is one of the most famous attractions in the Algarve and if you visit it is a Top Algarve Activity for sure!

Along the Algarve coast located in the areas between Carvoeiro and Armacão de Pera we can find some of the most stunning of the Algarve rock formations and sea caves. The entire area is beautiful and at various tides and weather conditions you will discover different wonders. The most famous by far is Benagil Cave (Gruta de Benagil)  - Algar de Benagil is a huge cave often referred to as the Cathederal due to its physical arches, sheer size and spleandour 

Benagil Cave is a testament to the awesome power of nature and the sculpting power of the wind and water which have burrowed and sculpted one of the wonders of the Algarve

From the outside the cave entrance is dramatic but one must see it from inside, to see the graduation of colours as your eyes roam up the walls to the Eye at the top where the blue sky will be the backdrop. The sunlight beams through the eye at the top of the cave to ensure that every moment of everyday what ever the weather provides a new show of wonder. 

The reflection of the caves colours and the sunlight and shadow also transform the waters into something like tropical pools you would imagine on some distant Pacific island

Reaching Benagil Cave

The only way to appreciate Benagil and enter the cave is from the sea.  With a Yacht Charter option we can enter the front of the cave with the main boat or on a calm day we maybe able to use the inflatable RIB to get you into the cave. Swimming and SUP Paddle-boards are also an option but not recommended as the sea can be deceptively strong. 

Boats themselves can not land on Benagil Cave Beach, it is forbidden but it can be possible at certain times to enter on a RIB and swim to the beach.  All depends on the sea conditions always of course. 

Benagil Cave is a wonderful spot and the photos will be the envy of your friend list by far! 

View Benagil Yacht Charter Option

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The Restaurant "Borda do Cais" located in Ferragudo Village overlooking the Arade River, Portimão and the splendid Serra de Monchique offers the opportunity to taste the fresh charcoal-roasted fish directly from the sea. Specialized in “Cataplana de Tamboril” and “Arroz de Ligueirão”

Traditional and typical Algarve food but with options for everyone. From vegetarian, vegan and even gluten-free options.
Professionalism combined with the freshness of ingredients and the love of work will make your experience unique

The restaurant "Borda do Cais" is one of the first options for lunch on our full-day cruises.

For more informations about the restaurant "Borda do Cais" CLICK HERE

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