If you are planning a trip to Lagos, chances are, you want to go on a boat tour. Lagos has a spectacular coastline, and there is no better place to explore the jaw-dropping cliffs, hidden caves, and secluded beaches from the ocean.
That said, finding the best boat tours in Lagos in Portugal’s Algarve region can be a pain in the butt with so many providers and different kinds of cruises, but don’t worry, I’m here to help you out.
After traveling extensively in the Algarve, I have done my share of boat trips, Lagos being no exception, and I can assure you, there are so many cool boat tours in Lagos that you can take to explore the best of the rugged coast. Read on for my top picks!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
NO TIME TO READ? HERE ARE MY TOP 3 PICKS!
👉Best scenic cruise: Boat Cruise to Ponta da Piedade
👉Best private cruise: Half-Day Private Charter with Tapas, Drinks & SUP
👉Best adventurous cruise: Benagil Cave Boat Tour and Algarseco Coastal Walk
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Best boat tours in Lagos, Portugal
1. From Lagos: Boat Cruise to Ponta da Piedade
What’s included in the boat tour:
- local guide
What’s not included in the boat tour:
- food and drinks
- swimming stops
An epic small boat tour from Lagos with a lovely guide and spectacular scenery!
This is a great small-group boat ride in Lagos to the spectacular Ponta da Piedade rock formations in the western Algarve.
Taking you along the rugged coastline past some of Algarve’s prettiest beaches, like Dona Ana Beach and Camilo Beach, as well as smaller and lesser-known spots.
There are multiple hidden sea caves and rock formations to discover, and the guide will give you inside information along the way.
I especially love the part closing up to Ponta da Piedade, where your guide will point out several rock formations that fishermen have named throughout the years, like “The kissing couple” and “The elephant”.
Ponta da Piedade boasts 20-meter-tall rock formations, natural arches, and grottoes over glittering, clear water, and this is one of the highest-rated boat tours Lagos has to offer to this gem.
One of the things I like the most about this boat trip in Lagos is that they take a maximum of 9 people on the boat. This means that even in the busy summer months, you get an intimate experience and can easily connect with the guide and other passengers in a way that larger boats don’t give the opportunity to do.
But these boat tours fill up quickly, especially in the summer, so make sure you reserve your spot for your travel dates as soon as possible.
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2. Lagos: Half-Day Private Charter with Tapas, Drinks & SUP
What’s included in the boat tour:
- toilet onboard
- cold and hot shower on board
- life jackets
- wifi and Bluetooth onboard
- snorkeling gear
- an inflatable kayak that fits 2 adults and 1 child
- soft drinks, wine, beer, champagne, and snacks
- swimming stops
What’s not included in the boat tour:
- sunscreen
- towels
A unique private experience with a caring and personal crew!
If you want to go on a private boat cruise in Lagos with a group of friends, family, or a small hen do, this is a great option for you. The cruise allows up to 8 travelers, and you get drinks and nibbles onboard.
Besides being a relaxing half-day out sunbathing and drinking on deck, the boat tour takes you along the spectacular Lagos coastline with hidden caves and secluded beaches, so make sure you bring your camera!
This cruise also gives you a great opportunity to jump into the glittering water to cool down, snorkel, or explore the coast even closer by kayak.
Among the top sites you’ll go to are the picturesque lagoon of Alvor and the impressive 20-meter-tall rock formations of Ponta da Piedade.
There is no doubt that this is the best boat cruise in Lagos if you travel with a group of friends or a large family, since you get a completely personal experience.
But note that this is a popular tour and sells out quickly in the summer months, so I recommend booking early so that you don’t miss out, especially if you’re planning a group activity for a hen do, birthday, or anything similar.
3. Algarve: Benagil Cave Boat Tour and Algarseco Coastal Walk
What’s included in the boat tour:
- pickup and drop off at your hotel in Lagos
- guide
- bottled water
- insurance
What’s not included in the boat tour:
- food and snacks
- soft drinks
An excellent way to experience some of the most breathtaking Algarve coast both by sea and by land!
If you want to combine your boat trip with a little hike on top of the golden cliffs, this is an amazing opportunity for you. The tour guide picks you up at your hotel in Lagos and takes you to the quaint coastal town of Carvoeiro.
From there, you embark on an unforgettable boat trip to the world-famous Benagil Cave. On the way, there are also many smaller sea caves and secluded beaches to see.
Past Benagil, you will see a whole lot of impressive rock formations like the massive natural arches before turning around at Marinha Beach, which is said to be the prettiest beach in Portugal and among the prettiest in Europe. And I can’t argue that!
After this amazing boat trip, it’s time to put on your walking shoes as you will walk the picturesque Carvoeiro Boardwalk to another impressive site, Algar Seco.
There, you will take in the impressive natural rock pools and walk inside the Boneca cave with natural windows out to the deep blue ocean. There aren’t many cooler places in the Algarve to snap pictures.
No doubt one of the top Lagos boat tours for adventurers. The guide is also super friendly and is highly knowledgeable about the region.
4. Lagos: Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologists
What’s included in the boat tour:
- life jackets
- Marine Biologist guide
What’s not included in the boat tour:
- food and snacks
- drinks
- swimming stops
A unique and educational wildlife experience where you contribute to important research!
This is, in my opinion, the best boat tour Lagos offers for dolphin safaris because you will not only have a great chance of seeing dolphins in the wild, but you will also support the preservation and conservation work of the beautiful creatures.
With a marine biologist on board, you will learn so much valuable information about the dolphins’ behavior, how to approach animals safely, and you will get any question answered by a professional.
The marine biologist will collect data about the dolphin group’s behavior and movements for research during the trip, so you can really get hands-on with how they work.
This is a great tour to take kids who are fascinated with animals and wildlife in general, as they will learn so much when they experience the animals in their natural environment.
Though there is a big chance of spotting dolphins on the tour with a professional crew that knows where and what to look for, remember that the dolphins are wild animals, and there is no guarantee of seeing dolphins on any ethical dolphin safari.
5. Lagos: Sailboat Trip to Ponta da Piedade
What’s included in the boat tour:
- guide
- tour of Ponta da Piedade grottoes in a small boat
- swimming stop
What’s not included in the boat tour:
- food and snacks
- drinks
- hotel pick-up and drop-off
A relaxing sail boat tour of Lagos’ golden coastline including a boat trip of the caves of Ponta da Piedade!
If you prefer to set sail on a traditional Portuguese sailboat in Lagos, this is the choice for you. The sailboat trips take you along the golden coastline from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade where you can enjoy a relaxing cruise.
Take in the impressive coastline and jump in the crystal clear water for a swim on a hot day. Once you reach Ponta da Piedade, you will jump onto a smaller boat to get up close to these majestic limestone towers.
I love this option of sailing with the wind on the major journey, but still having the option to get close up to the towering rock formations erupting out of the water.
Learn about the different formations that have been named by fishermen for their resemblance, like “the elephant”, and uncover the hidden coves and grottoes that you can only find from the ocean.
On the way back to Lagos, you’ll have plenty of time to sunbathe on deck as the sailboat slowly makes its way back.
6. Ponta da Piedade Sunset Cruise from Lagos
What’s included in the boat tour:
- guide
- swimming stop
- complimentary drink
What’s not included in the boat tour:
- food and snacks
- hotel pick-up and drop-off
A lovely sunset cruise to the mesmerizing Ponta da Piedade with a refreshing sunset swim!
If you would like an incredible sunset boat trip, Lagos is the best place for it and this tour will not disappoint. Besides a lovely crew, you will explore a number of hidden caves and beaches as the boat will take you inside if the water is calm enough.
A lovely surprise that I really appreciated was a complimentary drink on the boat. I also see other reviewers have mentioned it. This was just the little extra detail to make this a perfect evening.
If the weather allows it and you want to, you will have the opportunity to jump in the water for a sunset swim. there is nothing more magical than swimming in water that is covered in glittering pink light as the sun sets on the horizon.
Some reviewers say that they have had problems finding the meeting point, but if you give them a call, they will guide you along or even come and look for you. So do not worry about missing the tour, they will make sure you get on board.
If this sounds like a Lagos boat trip for you, make sure you reserve your spot as early as possible because it is becoming very popular!
7. Lagos: 2-Hour Evening Champagne Cruise
What’s included in the boat tour:
- skipper
- fuel
- swimming stop
- drinks and nibbles
- 2 standup paddleboards
- 1 inflatable kayak
- snorkeling gear
- wifi and Bluetooth
What’s not included in the boat tour:
- hotel pick-up and drop-off
- towels and sunscreen
Enjoy a brilliant private sunset cruise with champagne!
One of the best boat tours Lagos has on the shelf is this private champagne cruise. With all the gear on board for having a fun evening, you can enjoy standup paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling at the swimming stop.
There are different drinks offered on board, from soft drinks to alcoholic drinks like beer and champagne. This is a great option for events with groups of friends or family traveling together.
This 2-hour tour is absolutely jam-packed with things to do, so everyone in the group will have fun, whether it is sunbathing or doing water activities.
Eventually, you will take in the sunset that the Algarve is so famous for, as it warms up the golden cliffs at golden hour and sets dramatically on the horizon. This is possibly one of my favorite experiences in Algarve!
Practical tips before embarking
Note that most of the boat tours in Lagos do not allow pets on board and are not suitable for anyone with mobility impairment. If this is your case, make sure you ask the tour provider upfront if they can accommodate you.
Boat trips in Lagos might be canceled due to weather conditions, especially outside the summer season. The Atlantic Ocean can get quite furious on windy days, so in that case, they must postpone the tour to a day with calmer waters.
Further, the sun is always extra strong as it reflects in the water when you’re on the boat, so be prepared with protection all year round.
On windy and overcast days, especially in the winter in the Algarve, make sure you bring a windbreaker as it can get cold on the boat. Yet, Lagos in winter can be warm, so you’ll need sunscreen nonetheless.
Here are the absolute musts you should take with you when going on a boat cruise in Lagos:
- sunscreen
- sun hat
- water (if not provided on the boat)
- snacks or a soft drink (something to keep your blood sugar levels happy in the heat)
All in all, Lagos’s boat trips are among the top reasons to visit Lagos!
Reflections on the top boat trips in Lagos
I hope you found something for you among these amazing boat trips Lagos in Portugal offers. Speaking for myself, I’ve been super happy with these experiences.
There is nothing to say about the natural beauty you will be cruising past and the places some of these boat tours take you.
As mentioned above, taking a boat tour to explore the dramatic Algarve coast from the water is one of the best things to do in Lagos, and no matter what time of the year you go, there is so much beauty that you will have a memory for life.
Happy travels!