Algarve Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Tour | 5emotions Full REVIEW
Heading to the Algarve? Below is my review of the best Algarve dolphin watching and Benagil cave tour.
You should book this if you want an unforgettable holiday memory of seeing dolphins (and maybe whales) in the wild, exploring the beautiful Algarve caves and seeing the Portuguese coast from the viewpoint of the Atlantic.
Disclosure: Please consider clicking any links on this site as they may be affiliate links which means, at no extra cost to you, I may earn commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting The Happy Days Travels. For more information, see my Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Contents
This is my full review for what you experience and what to except on a 5emotions boat tour of the Algarve. This is not an ad or sponsored post. I truly enjoyed this Benagil Cave and dolphin tour and highly recommend using this company.
Why Join a 5emotions Tour?
If you’re debating whether to pay for a tour or try and see dolphin watching Algarve for yourself, it’s an absolute no-brainer to go with a guide.
Seeing dolphins in the wild and potentially other marine life is a privilege on holiday because a lot rides on luck. So make sure you go with a reputable company including an on-board marine biologist to learn from the experts and for your best chance to see them. Because it’s so hard to try and spot them on your own!
5emotions are a local company who run several Algarve boat tours based at the Portimao Marina. The crew are passionate about the region and this shows in their work when you meet them. The slogan is ‘feel it’ and you definitely do (especially when the captain is full speed ahead to get to the pod of dolphins before they swim away)!
Their bestseller is the Dolphin and Caves tour that I did, seating 45 passengers on a vessel with a guide. They do several Benagil Cave tours from Portimao and offer the same excellent service whatever you choose.
Algarve Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Tour Review
The exact tour I did was the Portimao: Benagil Caves and Dolphins tour. Here’s what I thought of the trip. Spoiler, you need to book this one for an incredible life experience.
Dolphin and Benagil Cave Tour Quick Answers
- What you get: seat on a medium-sized boat, dolphin watching, 2 marine biologists and skipper on board, exploring main Algarve caves, tips and recommendations from guides, excellent weather communication with company before trip (and reschedule option if needed), option to swim
- Price: €40pp
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Meeting place: Portimao Marina to the east of Praia da Rocha
- Is it worth it? 100%. I would do this exact same trip again!
What to Expect
The Benagil Caves in Algarve Portugal is one of the most recognisable landscapes in the world. The Microsoft screensaver in the 90s/2000s was the Algarve Benagil Caves and now brings thousands of tourists every year.
On every boat trip, there is a chance to see a multitude of wildlife like Algarve dolphins, whales, birds and more.
Portimao and Benagil Cave Portugal map:
How to Book Dolphin Watching in the Algarve
5emotions have the dolphin and Benagil Caves tour running everyday during the summer at 10am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm and 6pm.
When you know your date and time, you can book the same tour here.
Once you’ve paid, you’ll receive a confirmation email and can add your tickets straight to your Apple Wallet.
Check-in is half hour before so head to the 5emotionsalgarve counter in Portimão Marina, Kiosk No. 6 and show your booking. You’ll be walked to the boat to start your adventure!
My (excellent) Experience of Caves and Dolphins Algarve
We booked the 6pm tour but were emailed the day before re the weather conditions and given the option to book an earlier time for 12.30pm. Really happy with this communication and glad we changed as the early afternoon tour was incredible while enjoying the sun.
You’re walked to the vessel at the marina and directed where to sit (although you can request to be at the front, but I personally don’t think the front is the best). Our two guides told us that the caves would be first and then dolphin spotting afterwards.
Within a minute of setting sail, we were told that actually we were doing the reverse as another boat had radioed over there were a few pods of dolphins. We then sped far away from the coastline and it was open ocean for a good 15 minutes.
I watched one of the guides as she lifted her sunglasses and squinted her eyes before running back to the skipper and the boat did a swift right turn. The dolphins had been spotted by the experts.
We slowed down and were directed to look left where a pod of common dolphins were swimming. And as if calling their friends, we ended up being surrounded by 15 dolphins who were aware of our presence and playing/showing off for us. Moving to the back, over to the right and left to follow them it was so cute and a truly memorable experience.
After an hour-ish, we bid goodbye to them and headed to the cave part of the tour. The sun was gleaming through the cave holes, the waves were crashing against the rock and the view was stunning. We visited the famous Benagil Caves where there were a few kayakers and then passed by several beaches, cliff-jumping spots and restaurants that were recommended to us.
Dolphin watching and Benagil sea caves tour was a highlight of our Portugal trip and first wedding anniversary celebration!
Ready to book? Book your Algarve must-do experience on Viator, you won’t regret it.
Other Benagil Caves tours in the Algarve include:
- Sunset Benagil Cave cruise which is shorter, cheaper and at the most beautiful time of day.
- A private Yacht cruise with customised duration and size for your group with an experienced captain.
Thanks for reading. I hope you love the Benagil caves tour from Portimao as much as I did.
Portugal Posts:
Pin Dolphin Watching in Algarve For Others!
