7 Best Boat Tours in Albufeira

Among the best things to do in Albufeira are the boat trips along the coast. And if there is something that draws attention to this city of the Algarve are its beaches and coves, characterized by its white sand and turquoise water.

Thanks to a boat trip you can enjoy unique views of the natural heritage of the city. In addition, 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 town of Benagil, is one of the most famous rock formations of the Algarve. The impressive caves of Benagil are the result of the erosion of the sea over the years. One of the most popular boat (or speedboat, if you prefer) trips from Albufeira is this one.

During the excursion 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, what is certain is that you will enjoy the breathtaking ocean views 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 sights to remember.

Details of interest

• Price: about 29 euros approximately it costs to book a speedboat ride through the Benagil caves and about 350 euros by boat.
• Duration: about two hours.
• Means of transport: boat or speedboat.

Maybe you are looking for a boat trip in Albufeira that has a romantic and charming touch. In that case, I recommend a sunset boat trip. Thanks to the time these tours take place, you can enjoy a unique colorful show 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 schedule of this tour varies depending on the season in which you do it, but these excursions usually start one or two hours before sunset so you can watch the sunset from a strategic location.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best things to do in April in Albufeira. And you also have the opportunity to rent a private yacht in Albufeira if you prefer something more intimate and exclusive.

Interesting details

• Price: about 20-50 euros, depending on the extras included and the duration 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 ride 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, grottos 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 located on top of a cliff. In addition, it is common to visit a beach, da Marinha, which is considered one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world according to the Michelin guide.

Details of interest

• Price: About 58 euros more or less.
• Duration: Approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: pirate ship
• Advantages of this option: includes a barbecue lunch at one of the beaches visited.

If you are interested in marine wildlife, this boat trip is definitely for you. There are many excursions organized in Albufeira to see dolphins. There are kayak, speedboat and, of course, boat trips. In addition, it is very common that they approach the boat.

However, you have to take into account that, since they are not in captivity, no organizer 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 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: about 20-50 euros, depending on the extras included and the duration of the tour.
• Duration: between two and four hours.
• Means of transport: Boat

Boat trips are usually experiences where tranquility and relaxation reign. 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 some extra experience.

That is the case of the boat trip with snorkeling, a tour that combines both activities to offer you a few hours of pure fun. These boat trips include the necessary equipment for snorkeling. In addition, the different companies that organize them choose ideal locations so that you can contemplate the marine world in its fullness.

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

Details of interest

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

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

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

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

Details of interest

• Price: about 25-60 euros per person, depending on whether you do the tour in high or low season, as well as the extras included.
• Duration: from two to four hours, approximately.
• 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 I dare say essential) activity for those who travel to southern Portugal.

Ponta da Piedade has numerous caves and grottos bathed by the ocean, as well as passages that can only be accessed by boat. The site is located about 30 kilometers 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: about 30 euros per person, approximately.
• Duration: about 6 hours, although there are also longer ones.
• Means of transport: boat.

Most boat excursions in Albufeira can be booked online. Of course, you can also book the 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 excursion, usually 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, phone number and email address, as well as the dates of the reservation.

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

The duration of a boat trip in Albufeira depends on many issues. First of all, the time of the boat trip varies depending on the destination, as you can guess. In addition, the stops that are made during the excursion also have an influence.

So, there are tours such as the snorkeling boat trip or the Ponta da Piedade tour that are longer.

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

On the boat tours in Albufeira and surroundings 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, grottos, cliffs and coves.

In addition, if you wish, you can also dive into the depths of the ocean to contemplate 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 walk through a fishing village or similar. As you will 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 it can present certain discomforts. If you have never been on a boat before, I advise you to take some motion sickness pills with you. This way, if you experience discomfort, you will be able to remedy it.

In addition, I also advise you to check different companies, their opinions and prices before hiring 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 through your computer or your cell phone. This advice is even more important if you travel 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 snorkeling; others go away from Albufeira to visit nearby towns, such as Lago. Thus, all these options directly influence 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 the year and the extras you decide to add to your excursion.

Limiting Albufeira to the city is a big mistake, as you would miss many of the treasures hidden in the province. One of the most beautiful villages you can visit is Olhos de Água, located a few kilometers from Albufeira.

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

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