7 Best Boat Tours in Albufeira

Among the best things to do in Albufeira are boat trips along the coast. If there is one thing that stands out about this Algarve town, it is its beaches and coves, characterised by their white sand and turquoise waters.

A boat trip will allow you to enjoy unique views of the town's natural heritage. You may also be lucky enough to spot dolphins and enjoy a dreamlike sunset from the boat.

Very close to Albufeira, in the town of Benagil, is one of the most famous rock formations in the Algarve. The impressive Benagil caves are the result of years of erosion by the sea. This is one of the most popular boat trips (or speedboat trips, if you prefer) from Albufeira.

During the trip, you are likely to see dolphins, both common and bottlenose. Some may even come close to the boat. Even if you don't see any, you're sure to enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean and the many white sandy beaches you'll pass by.

Most boat trips to the Benagil caves include stops at some of Albufeira's best beaches. Of course, you can take a dip and snap some photos of the views to remember.

Details of interest

• Price: it costs approximately £29 to book a speedboat trip to the Benagil caves and around £350 by boat.
• Duration: approximately two hours.
• Means of transport: boat or speedboat.

Perhaps you're looking for a boat trip around Albufeira with a touch of romance and charm. In that case, I recommend a sunset boat trip. Thanks to the time of day these trips take place, you can enjoy a unique spectacle of colours and watch the sun set over the ocean.

Some sunset boat trips in Albufeira also include certain extras, such as snacks on board, champagne or stops at magical coves. The schedule for this tour varies depending on the season, but these excursions usually start an hour or two before sunset so you can watch the sun go down from a strategic spot.

This is definitely one of the best things to do in Albufeira in April. And if you prefer something more intimate and exclusive, you can also hire a private yacht in Albufeira.

Useful information

Price: around €20-50, depending on the extras included and the duration of the trip. €984 if you opt for the private yacht.

• Price: around £20-50, depending on the extras included and the duration of the trip. £84 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 ticket on the Leaozinho, a replica of an authentic pirate ship. On board, you'll be able to sail the Atlantic and discover the most hidden corners of Albufeira.

During the trip, you'll discover all kinds of places that you wouldn't be able to access otherwise, such as caves, grottos and beautiful white sand 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 perched on top of a cliff. In addition, visitors often visit Praia da Marinha, considered one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world according to the Michelin guide.

Details of interest

• Price: Around £58.
• Duration: Approximately 6 hours.
• Transport: Pirate boat
• Advantages of this option: includes a barbecue lunch on one of the beaches visited.

If you're interested in marine wildlife, this boat trip is definitely for you. There are many excursions organised in Albufeira for dolphin watching. There are kayak trips , speedboat trips and, of course, boat trips. What's more, the dolphins often come right up to the boat.

However, you should bear in mind that, as the dolphins are not in captivity, no organiser can guarantee that you will see them. Even so, you can 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 means that the duration varies greatly, although they generally last between 2 and 4 hours. Without a doubt, this is one of the best tours to do in Albufeira during the summer months.

Details of interest

• Price: around £20-50, depending on the extras included and the duration of the trip.
• Duration: between two and four hours.
• Means of transport: Boat

Boat trips are usually peaceful and relaxing experiences. In fact, they are one of the best activities in Albufeira for the less adventurous. However, you can always add a touch of adventure with an extra experience.

This is the case with the boat trip with snorkelling, a tour that combines both activities to offer you a few hours of pure fun. These boat trips include all the necessary snorkelling equipment. In addition, the different companies that organise them choose ideal locations so that you can fully contemplate the marine world.

Of course, there are always expert guides who will give you instructions and ensure your safety. Beyond this, different levels of experience are offered, so you don't have to worry if you are a beginner at snorkelling.

Details of interest

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

Holidays are a time to rest, disconnect from routine and devote yourself solely to enjoyment. A catamaran trip in Albufeira is the ideal way to do just that. During the trip, you can relax on deck while sunbathing, sipping a cocktail or taking a dip in the ocean.

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

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

Details of interest

• Price: around £25-60 per person, depending on whether you take the trip in high or low season, as well as any extras included.
• Duration: approximately two to four hours.
• Means of transport: boat.

Ponta da Piedade is a group 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 would dare to say, essential) activity for those travelling to the south of 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 kilometres from Albufeira, so these excursions are usually half-day trips. There are also longer trips that include visits to other places in the town of Lagos.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £25 per person.
• Duration: around 6 hours, although there are also longer trips available.
• Means of transport: boat.

Most boat trips in Albufeira can be booked online. Of course, you can also book trips at the company's offices. However, my advice is to book a boat trip in advance, especially if you are travelling during high season.

To book the trip, all you usually have to do is go to the company's official website and enter your details. You will need to provide your full name, telephone number and email address, as well as the dates of your booking.

You will then need to provide payment details, such as your bank account number. Finally, you will receive confirmation of your booking by email. Make sure you book on a reputable website, otherwise you may be scammed.

The duration of a boat trip in Albufeira depends on many factors. First of all, the length of the boat trip varies depending on the destination, as you might expect. In addition, the stops made during the trip also have an influence.

Thus, there are excursions such as the boat trip with snorkelling or the Ponta da Piedade trip, which are longer.

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

On boat trips around Albufeira and the surrounding area, you can enjoy unique views of the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches that make up the Portuguese coast. You will see different natural formations such as caves, grottos, cliffs and coves.

What's more, if you wish, you can also dive into the depths of the ocean to see the marine life that inhabits it.

There are also excursions that stop at different towns, so you can get off the boat and take a stroll through a fishing village or similar. As you can see, the main attraction 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 have certain discomforts. If you have never been on a boat before, I recommend that you take some seasickness tablets. That way, if you feel uncomfortable, you can remedy it.

I also recommend that before booking any excursion, you check out different companies, their reviews and prices. The reality is that many of them inflate their prices, taking advantage of tourists, so by comparing them you will be able to find the option with the best value for money.

On the other hand, I also recommend that you book the activity in advance via your computer or mobile phone. This advice is even more important if you are travelling to Albufeira in high season.

Prices vary greatly depending on the type of excursion. As you have seen, there is a wide variety of these excursions. Some include water sports, such as snorkelling, while others take you away from Albufeira to visit nearby towns, such as Lago. All these options have a direct influence on the price of the excursion.

In any case, prices usually range between £20 and £60. It all depends on the company you choose, the time of year you go and any extras you decide to add to your trip.

Limiting yourself to Albufeira is a big mistake, as you'll miss out on many of the treasures hidden in the province. One of the prettiest villages you can visit is Olhos de Água, located a few kilometres from Albufeira.

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

The village of Guia is also very famous, where I recommend trying some of its typical recipes made with free-range chicken. You can visit its church, which has a very interesting history.