Benagil Cave another find on instagram and oh what a find. Ever since I started seeing pictures of it on Instagram it has been my number 1 on my list of places to visit. The fact that there was a boat involved was a bonus. There is nothing better than getting a view of the land you are visiting from the ocean that surrounds it and is so important to its life. This clever entrepreneur set up a shop between 2 cliffs and has boats running all day long when the weather isn't too rough. I shudder at what it is like in the summer time. I can't recommend visiting these places off season enough, you can definitely do more exploring and less waiting your turn.
We booked right at the cliffs with the
Benagil Tours Taruga and they were great. It's probably a good idea to book online. There are lots of tours from different towns, but we really loved this one.
There were also lots of paddle boards and kayakers enjoying the water and visiting the caves. The water was only 17 degrees, I was glad I was in a boat. After booking our seats, we had a 2 hour wait so we went off to look at the caves from the clifftops. An easy walk with amazing views.
Looking down into the Benagil Cave, they have a fence around it but everyone goes over the fence to get as close to the end as possible. Crazy when you think of it as I am sure over the years pieces have fallen off. During high season you would probably be lucky to get this close to the edge.
Nothing like lunch after a long walk. Pescador looks down on the beach between the 2 cliffs, has a wonderful menu and wine list and lovely staff to go with the location. I had a vege curry and Jim had a tuna salad, delish
This is definitely on my list next visit. LOL I don't think I could even climb up the pathway. Lindsey and I enjoyed just watching :)
Some of the cliffs have tunnels to get to them. Now what's my excuse!!!!!!!!!!
And we're off these boats just skim along the water going in and out of the caves at full speed. Thankfully we had a calm day and were a middle tide.
There were big caves easy to get in and out of. And then there were little caves that you had to put your heads on you knees and were pitch black on the way in. I don't know how Captain John knew when to stop. He had to time it perfect with the waves going in and out of the caves so he didn't hit the sides, or top of the opening. Lots of laughter and shrieks.
Let's make it totally perfect by adding in a lighthouse.
This is the heart cave. We really lucked out with the sky as well, so blue with white wispy clouds, everything was so vibrant.
The shore was dotted with caves.
This is the actual famous Benagil Cave, you can swim to it or kayak or paddleboard. Next time.
The colours were amazing, from the water, to the walls to the sky through the hole.
There were so many beaches that you could only get to by water. Definitely picturing James Bond lying on one of these with his current interest. Now which James Bond would I pick. Come on down Sean :)
Yes this cliff face definitely looks like an old man. Captain John knew all the spots and added some local colour.
The departing and landing were quite exciting. Backing in at full speed and jumping on the boat in between swells and yes you do have to get in the water to do it so dress appropriately.
We survived. Now are we brave enough to go for a dip.
Yes we are, 2 quick ones, it was mighty cold and quite choppy for a calm day. I guess with the beach being between 2 cliffs the waves had a little more oomph to them here than out on the ocean.
Our Bond Men. If they had speedos on they would definitely remind me of Daniel Craig.
On the way home we made a stop at Praia de Albandeira a beautiful little resort town right on the beach. The owner of the restaurant was telling us that there was a big storm in early March and it took all the sand away from the beach which is why there are these little rock pools below. It happens every few years and the townsfolk have fun playing in the pools and then a storm comes and the sand comes back.
So many shells and so many embedded right into the sandstone. Shows you how wild the sea is here. Now we just have to find a rental right here for next year :).
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