Boat tours in Lagos
Caves, dolphins, Benagil, sailing and the sunset party boat, all leaving from Lagos Marina
All the boat trips we book leave from Lagos Marina, a short walk from the shop, but they are very different trips. One slips inside the Ponta da Piedade caves on a boat for ten. One takes a catamaran east to the Benagil cave. One heads out to open water to find dolphins, and one is two hours of sunset with drinks on a small party boat.
We book them all from one counter in the Old Town, and every one is run by a licensed Lagos operator, so the question we answer most days is not where to book but which boat. If you only have time for one trip, do the small-boat grotto trip: it is the shortest and the only one that goes inside the Ponta da Piedade caves. If you have small children with you, or anyone who gets seasick, take a catamaran instead.
Which boat is for you
- Time
- About 1h15
- Boat
- Small boat for 10
- Caves
- Goes inside the Ponta da Piedade caves
- Best for
- A first boat trip, the caves from the inside
- Price
- From €22.50
- Time
- 2h30
- Boat
- Catamaran with a toilet, marine biologist on board
- Caves
- Enters the Benagil cave when the sea allows
- Best for
- Benagil without a car, dolphins on the way
- Price
- From €32
- Time
- 1h30 to 2h
- Boat
- Fast boat, small group, marine biologist on board
- Caves
- No, open sea
- Best for
- Wildlife, if nobody minds a fast ride
- Price
- From €40
- Time
- 3 to 4 hours
- Boat
- Catamaran with a toilet
- Caves
- Cruises past them, swim stop in a sheltered bay
- Best for
- A slow afternoon with a swim, small children
- Price
- From €39
- Time
- 4h, Lagos to Burgau and back
- Boat
- Catamaran with a toilet
- Caves
- Stays outside; a cave visit by support boat can be added
- Best for
- Groups who want food and drinks included
- Price
- From €55
- Time
- 2h
- Boat
- Small party boat, drinks included
- Caves
- No
- Best for
- Birthdays, stag and hen groups, sunset with a drink
- Price
- From €45
- Time
- 3h
- Boat
- Party boat with a DJ
- Caves
- Passes the beaches and grottos
- Best for
- A loud night out; fewer dates this season, so ask us first
- Price
- From €60
Times and boats as each operator publishes them, checked on 12 October 2026. Prices are per adult and come straight from the booking box; child fares differ per trip.
Book a boat trip
Pick a date on the trip's page and pay online. We confirm your place with the operator.
On a Boat
What we tell people at the counter
Inside the caves, or past them?
Only the small boats go in. The grotto trip uses boats for ten people that fit through the arches at Ponta da Piedade, which is also why it is the bumpier ride. The catamarans are too big for the caves, so they cruise past the cliffs and stop for a swim in a sheltered bay instead. On the brunch cruise you can add a visit inside the caves by support boat when you book.
Benagil is a different trip
The Benagil cave is about 20 km east of Lagos, so it is a longer morning on the water than the grotto trip: two and a half hours on a catamaran, with dolphin watching on the way. Since August 2024 nobody may swim into the cave or land on its beach. Boats take turns going in when the sea allows, and kayaks and paddleboards only enter with a licensed guide.
Where the boats leave from
Every trip leaves from Lagos Marina, across the footbridge from the Old Town. Where you check in depends on the operator: most have a desk at the marina, one has its office in Lagos train station next to it. Your booking confirmation names the exact place and the time to be there, usually 15 minutes before departure and 30 for the Benagil and brunch catamarans.
Weather, winter and cancellations
Every trip depends on the sea on the day, and the operator makes the call. If they cancel, you get a full refund or a new date. On our side you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before. From November to March far fewer boats sail and some stop until spring, the Sunset Boat Party among them. In summer the wind tends to pick up in the afternoon, so a morning departure is usually the calmer ride.
Kids and seasickness
With small children, take a catamaran: they are steadier, they have a toilet, and there is room to move around. Children under 2 travel free on the Benagil and brunch catamarans. The grotto boats and the dolphin boat are smaller and livelier. If anyone in your group gets seasick, book a morning departure, sit towards the back and keep your eyes on the horizon. Child fares and age bands differ per trip and are shown in each trip's booking box.
Prefer to see the caves at water level? Go by kayak, on a guided paddleboard tour, or on a private SUP and caves tour for families.
Boat tours in Lagos: questions we get
Short answers, from the people who book the boats.
Which boat trip goes inside the caves at Ponta da Piedade?
The small-boat grotto trip. Its boats take ten people and are small enough to go through the arches. The catamarans stay outside, although the brunch cruise sells a cave visit by support boat as an extra.
Can you go inside the Benagil cave?
By boat, yes, when the sea allows. Since August 2024 nobody may swim into the cave or step onto its beach, and kayaks and paddleboards may only go in with a licensed guide. The rules come from the harbour authority in Portimão (Edital 019/2024, amended in 2025).
Can I see Benagil from Lagos without a car?
Yes. The Benagil caves and dolphins catamaran leaves from Lagos Marina and takes about two and a half hours there and back, looking for dolphins on the way.
Will we definitely see dolphins?
Very likely, but nobody can promise wild animals. The operator of our dolphin trip reports sightings on about 97% of its trips, mostly common dolphins and often bottlenose dolphins, with a marine biologist on board.
What happens if the sea is too rough?
The operator cancels and you get a full refund or a new date. On our side you can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before.
Where do the boats leave from?
Lagos Marina. Each operator checks you in at its own desk, and your booking confirmation names the place and the time to be there, between 15 and 30 minutes before departure depending on the boat.
Do boat trips run in winter?
Some do, on calm days, but far fewer boats sail from November to March and the party boats stop until spring. Message us with your dates and we will tell you what is running.
Can we hire a boat just for our group?
Usually, yes. Several of the operators we work with run private trips. Send us your group size and date and we will find a boat.
Is food or drink included?
Only on two trips: the brunch catamaran includes brunch and an open bar, and the Sunset Boat Party includes drinks. On the others, bring water. The bigger catamarans have a bar on board.
Not sure which boat?Ask us
Tell us your dates, who is coming and how everyone feels about a bumpy sea. We will tell you which boat fits and what is running that week.