The captain of the port of Portimão, Eduardo Godinho, has issued a ban on canoes, kayaks and surfboards on six beaches in Lagoa in the interest of safety of vessels and people.
The announcement, published on the National Maritime Authority's website and signed by the captain of the port of Portimão, states that the measure covers the beaches of Vale Centeanes, Carvalho, Benagil, Marinha, Barranquinho and Albandeira, all in Lagoa, Algarve, all close to the famous Benagil cave, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Algarve.
According to the notice, the measure - which excludes situations of relief and emergency - will remain in force “until mechanisms are created that allow for controlling the flow of these vessels in the water adjacent to these beaches”.
The measure aims to “safeguard human life at sea, provide assistance and maintain the safety” of vessels and people who visit Benagil cave. The captain of the port of Portimão justifies this temporary measure due to the coastline in this area being mostly made up of cliffs, which are “permanently or periodically” exposed to the action of the sea. "As it is not possible to predict the occurrence of possible landslides and, having seen an exponential increase in tourist activities in recent years, this is a way of safeguarding the safety of bathers who flock there," he said.
