The route
The coast from Portimão to Benagil
The places a Benagil boat tour passes between Portimão and the cave: the Arade forts, Ferragudo, Carvoeiro, Algar Seco, Marinha and Benagil, with sources.
Book the Benagil boat tour ↗Leaving the Arade
The boat leaves from the Portimão pier, in the estuary of the Arade river. Portimão is the larger town on the western bank; Ferragudo faces it across the river. As the boat heads for open water it passes the river mouth, where two forts once covered both banks. Wikipedia says the Fort of Santa Catarina, on the Praia da Rocha side, was built to defend against pirates and privateers and worked with the Fort of São João do Arade on the opposite bank in Ferragudo.
What to look for from the boat
The coast between the river and Benagil changes character as you go east. Near the river the shoreline belongs to the estuary, with beaches and the two forts. Around Carvoeiro it becomes cliffs with sandy coves. At Algar Seco the sea has carved the rock into grottoes and islets, and at Marinha, Wikipedia says, orange limestone cliffs border the beach. The booking page describes the route as subject to change, so read the places below as the order along the coast, not a timetable for your trip.
Ferragudo and its fort
Ferragudo sits on the western border of Lagoa municipality. According to Wikipedia it was a fishing community until the late 20th century, and its economy has since turned to tourism. The Fort of São João do Arade stands on a hillock at the river mouth, between Praia da Angrinha and Praia Grande. Wikipedia says it was ordered in 1640 to replace an older castle, and that today it is practically abandoned. The booking page calls it the castle of Ferragudo, and the boat shows it from the water.
Carvoeiro
East of Ferragudo the coast turns into the cliffs and coves of Carvoeiro, a town in Lagoa municipality about five kilometres south of Lagoa itself, according to Wikipedia. Its beaches are sandy coves protected by cliffs. The booking page lists Carvoeiro among the places the boat passes. The booking page names Carvoeiro as a place the boat passes, so you can pick it out from the water.
Algar Seco
Algar Seco lies a few hundred metres along the coast east of Carvoeiro's main square and beach. Wikipedia says wave erosion has carved grottoes, islets and water spouts there. The booking page lists it among the stops on the route. From the water you see the hollows in the cliff face and the islets just off it. The islets are visible from the sea.
Benagil
Benagil is a hamlet in the municipality of Lagoa, with a widely used beach. Fishing was its economy until the late 20th century. The cave is the main tourist attraction, and the beach and village sit close by. The boat visits the sea cave when the sea allows and shows the beach from the water. Its location, a short distance from Marinha, is why the two are named together in the booking title and in many guides. Visitors should note the rules: landing on the cave beach is banned, and swimming at the caves is forbidden.
Marinha
Praia da Marinha is in the hamlet of Caramujeira, in Lagoa municipality, with orange limestone cliffs around a small sandy beach. Wikipedia says the Michelin Guide considered it one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe and that it won a Golden Beach award in 1998. The booking title names it, but how far a boat goes depends on the sea and the skipper, so do not count on a stop. Think of it as part of the coastline the trip shows, not a promised stage.
Sources