As of yesterday, August 13th 2024, the iconic Benagil Caves on the coastline of Lagoa have new access rules, which include the prohibition of disembarking and swimming inside.
Located off Benagil beach, the caves are considered to be a relevant natural heritage site and one of the main tourist attractions in the Algarve, which, in the summer, has attracted the interest of more and more visitors, especially by sea.
The new measures now in force, which aim to regulate the traffic of maritime-tourist vessels, private boats and beach go-ers, both in the water and in the vicinity of the Benagil cave and sinkhole, were published in an official notice on July 30th.
It is now forbidden for individuals and companies to disembark, or use the sand inside the Benagil cave. Access to the caves by swimming or with floatation devices, and the rental of kayaks without a guide in the cave area, is all prohibited.
There are also limits on the number of boats and kayaks inside the cave at one time, with a ratio of one guide kayak for every six tourist kayaks in the area, plus duration for visits in the cave.
Provisions for offences (fines) are in place for operators of maritime-tourist vessels who do not comply with the rules set out in the notice, which in the most serious cases can reach up to €216,000.
The notice resulted from the work developed by the Benagil Caves Working Group, formed in August 2023.
Photo courtesy of Depositphotos.com
