COLIN SIMPSON
Explore Spectacular Coastline and Caves by Boat
Pontada Piedade grotto tour, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
THE Portuguese town of Lagos, along with others along the Algarve coast, is famous for its sandy beaches and striking cliffs and rock formations. You can get a good view of the grottoes and sandstone stacks while walking along the clifftops, but a boat trip offers a different perspective.
It’s also the best option in the hot summer months when walking in Lagos is a slog. And of course going out on a boat is always fun. Dozens of operators tout trips from stalls alongside the marina and on the Avenida dos Descobrimentos, and a number of different trips are available. A popular choice is the classic tour of the caves around the Pontada Piedade, a rocky headland that juts out to sea south of the town and has an attractive little lighthouse on top.
I set off from the marina in a small open boat with six other adult passengers and a skipper who manned the outboard. There were three rows of seats, each with space for three adults. The couple sitting next to me had a nine-month-old babe in arms and a three-legged dog with them – both were remarkably quiet and well behaved throughout the trip.
The skipper pointed out a couple of sights as we left the marina, such as the town’s main market and two old churches, which would have been useful for newly landed tourists. He also stopped the boat opposite a few of the beaches as we made our way along the headland.
Some of the rocks and caves have colourful names. We were told that one outcrop we passed was called Titanic – not something you particularly want to hear at the start of a boat trip. The stack next to it is known as Iceberg, while one rock resembles an elephant and another looks like a camel’s head.
We passed more sunbather-packed beaches that looked alluring in the sunshine, though I knew from experience that some required long, strenuous climbs down from the clifftop and – a greater challenge – back up. The sand-coloured cliff faces formed a fantastic backdrop, and the bands of colour and weird shapes of the eroded rocks looked intriguing.
We reached the grottoes and ducked under rocky arches into several of the chambers, the skipper handling the craft deftly in even the trickiest sections. He would occasionally ask us all to nudge together into the middle of the vessel to provide better balance in narrow stretches. Some caves can be entered only when the tide is out, as higher water levels would result in bashed foreheads on the way in.
Water erosion had formed holes in some ceilings, and in other places sunlight shone through underwater cracks in the cave walls, giving the seawater a luminous green glow.
It was all pretty amazing, though the presence of many other pleasure boats inevitably reduced that special “at one with the wonders of nature” feeling. There were lots of kayakers, and one boat had a small version of a children’s playground slide at the back so swimmers could slip into the water. Some trips offer a chance to go snorkelling, though even in high summer the water is pretty cold – it is the Atlantic, after all. We were told that the final grotto we visited was called the Monster Cave, because a rock face inside resembled an enormous skull.
We rounded the tip of the headland and gazed at further long stretches of cliffs and beaches, but could go no further because the water becomes choppy along that section of coastline. The skipper, who spoke Portuguese and English and a smattering of other languages, pointed out the towns ahead of us. Beyond them – the United States. Then we turned round and made our way back to Lagos Marina, passing a splendid sailing ship on the way.
Verdict: Fun short trip around a dramatic and spectacular stretch of coastline.
Top tip: Try to bag the front seat when you step onto the boat – you’ll get the best views, and your photos won’t include the head and back of another passenger.
NEED TO KNOW: Lagos Grotto Tour
WITH so many companies offering trips it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for you. I used an outfit called Bluefleet because it appeared substantial and established – it has a smart office in Lagos Station, while some of the others operate from pavement stands.
I was also impressed when I inquired about booking and was told that Bluefleet was not operating the grotto tour that day because the sea was too rough. Other companies were still offering the trip, even though the ride would have been uncomfortable and the boats would not have been able to enter some of the caves.
The tour lasted an hour and 15 minutes, and cost me 20 euros. Other offerings include longer cruises, kayaking through the grottoes, dolphin watching, and a visit to Algar de Benagil. This is a particularly large and impressive sea cave 22 kilometres along the coast to the east that can be entered only by boat. It has a sandy floor and a distinctive round hole in the ceiling. Boat trips also leave from other towns such as Portimao and Albufeira.
July 2021
MORE INFO
BLUEFLEET’S site gives details of the trips on offer, though remember there are plenty more operators to choose from. Ask other people or check out the likes of Tripadvisor for recommendations. READ MORE
CALL in at the Lagos Tourist Office in Praço Gil Eanes for street maps and information about things to do in an around the town. Or visit the Algarve tourism website. READ MORE
RELATED
WATCHING PINK DOLPHINS: Yes, there really are pink dolphins in the waters around Hong Kong, and regular boat trips mean you can watch them frolicking… READ MORE
JOIN US as we race friendly dolphins on a traditional Arabian dhow in a Middle East fjord close to the flashpoint Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE
RECOMMENDED
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! Afaranwide’s home page – this is where you can find out about our latest posts and other highlights. READ MORE
TOP 10 VIRTUAL ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
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TROUBLED TIMES FOR EXPATS: Moving abroad can seem an idyllic prospect, but what happens when sudden upheavals or the inescapable realities of life intrude? READ MORE
Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Japan Rail Pass and Global Work & Travel, and the language-learning tool Toucan. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.
LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!
COLIN SIMPSON
Explore Spectacular Coastline and Caves by Boat
Pontada Piedade grotto tour, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
THE Portuguese town of Lagos, along with others along the Algarve coast, is famous for its sandy beaches and striking cliffs and rock formations. You can get a good view of the grottoes and sandstone stacks while walking along the clifftops, but a boat trip offers a different perspective.
It’s also the best option in the hot summer months when walking in Lagos is a slog. And of course going out on a boat is always fun. Dozens of operators tout trips from stalls alongside the marina and on the Avenida dos Descobrimentos, and a number of different trips are available. A popular choice is the classic tour of the caves around the Pontada Piedade, a rocky headland that juts out to sea south of the town and has an attractive little lighthouse on top.
I set off from the marina in a small open boat with six other adult passengers and a skipper who manned the outboard. There were three rows of seats, each with space for three adults. The couple sitting next to me had a nine-month-old babe in arms and a three-legged dog with them – both were remarkably quiet and well behaved throughout the trip.
The skipper pointed out a couple of sights as we left the marina, such as the town’s main market and two old churches, which would have been useful for newly landed tourists. He also stopped the boat opposite a few of the beaches as we made our way along the headland.
Some of the rocks and caves have colourful names. We were told that one outcrop we passed was called Titanic – not something you particularly want to hear at the start of a boat trip. The stack next to it is known as Iceberg, while one rock resembles an elephant and another looks like a camel’s head.
We passed more sunbather-packed beaches that looked alluring in the sunshine, though I knew from experience that some required long, strenuous climbs down from the clifftop and – a greater challenge – back up. The sand-coloured cliff faces formed a fantastic backdrop, and the bands of colour and weird shapes of the eroded rocks looked intriguing.
We reached the grottoes and ducked under rocky arches into several of the chambers, the skipper handling the craft deftly in even the trickiest sections. He would occasionally ask us all to nudge together into the middle of the vessel to provide better balance in narrow stretches. Some caves can be entered only when the tide is out, as higher water levels would result in bashed foreheads on the way in.
Water erosion had formed holes in some ceilings, and in other places sunlight shone through underwater cracks in the cave walls, giving the seawater a luminous green glow.
It was all pretty amazing, though the presence of many other pleasure boats inevitably reduced that special “at one with the wonders of nature” feeling. There were lots of kayakers, and one boat had a small version of a children’s playground slide at the back so swimmers could slip into the water. Some trips offer a chance to go snorkelling, though even in high summer the water is pretty cold – it is the Atlantic, after all. We were told that the final grotto we visited was called the Monster Cave, because a rock face inside resembled an enormous skull.
We rounded the tip of the headland and gazed at further long stretches of cliffs and beaches, but could go no further because the water becomes choppy along that section of coastline. The skipper, who spoke Portuguese and English and a smattering of other languages, pointed out the towns ahead of us. Beyond them – the United States. Then we turned round and made our way back to Lagos Marina, passing a splendid sailing ship on the way.
Verdict: Fun short trip around a dramatic and spectacular stretch of coastline.
Top tip: Try to bag the front seat when you step onto the boat – you’ll get the best views, and your photos won’t include the head and back of another passenger.
NEED TO KNOW: Lagos Grotto Tour
WITH so many companies offering trips it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for you. I used an outfit called Bluefleet because it appeared substantial and established – it has a smart office in Lagos Station, while some of the others operate from pavement stands.
I was also impressed when I inquired about booking and was told that Bluefleet was not operating the grotto tour that day because the sea was too rough. Other companies were still offering the trip, even though the ride would have been uncomfortable and the boats would not have been able to enter some of the caves.
The tour lasted an hour and 15 minutes, and cost me 20 euros. Other offerings include longer cruises, kayaking through the grottoes, dolphin watching, and a visit to Algar de Benagil. This is a particularly large and impressive sea cave 22 kilometres along the coast to the east that can be entered only by boat. It has a sandy floor and a distinctive round hole in the ceiling. Boat trips also leave from other towns such as Portimao and Albufeira.
July 2021
MORE INFO
BLUEFLEET’S site gives details of the trips on offer, though remember there are plenty more operators to choose from. Ask other people or check out the likes of Tripadvisor for recommendations. READ MORE
CALL in at the Lagos Tourist Office in Praço Gil Eanes for street maps and information about things to do in an around the town. Or visit the Algarve tourism website. READ MORE
RELATED
WATCHING PINK DOLPHINS: Yes, there really are pink dolphins in the waters around Hong Kong, and regular boat trips mean you can watch them frolicking… READ MORE
JOIN US as we race friendly dolphins on a traditional Arabian dhow in a Middle East fjord close to the flashpoint Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE
RECOMMENDED
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! Afaranwide’s home page – this is where you can find out about our latest posts and other highlights. READ MORE
TOP 10 VIRTUAL ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Our up-to-the-minute guide to creating a website, one step at a time. The costs, the mistakes – it’s what we wish we’d known when we started blogging. READ MORE
TROUBLED TIMES FOR EXPATS: Moving abroad can seem an idyllic prospect, but what happens when sudden upheavals or the inescapable realities of life intrude? READ MORE
Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Japan Rail Pass and Global Work & Travel, and the language-learning tool Toucan. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.
LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!
Inside Lagos's Weird,
Wonderful Grottoes
Explore Spectacular Coastline and Caves by Boat
COLIN SIMPSON
Pontada Piedade grotto tour, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
THE Portuguese town of Lagos, along with others along the Algarve coast, is famous for its sandy beaches and striking cliffs and rock formations. You can get a good view of the grottoes and sandstone stacks while walking along the clifftops, but a boat trip offers a different perspective.
It’s also the best option in the hot summer months when walking in Lagos is a slog. And of course going out on a boat is always fun. Dozens of operators tout trips from stalls alongside the marina and on the Avenida dos Descobrimentos, and a number of different trips are available. A popular choice is the classic tour of the caves around the Pontada Piedade, a rocky headland that juts out to sea south of the town and has an attractive little lighthouse on top.
I set off from the marina in a small open boat with six other adult passengers and a skipper who manned the outboard. There were three rows of seats, each with space for three adults. The couple sitting next to me had a nine-month-old babe in arms and a three-legged dog with them – both were remarkably quiet and well behaved throughout the trip.
The skipper pointed out a couple of sights as we left the marina, such as the town’s main market and two old churches, which would have been useful for newly landed tourists. He also stopped the boat opposite a few of the beaches as we made our way along the headland.
Some of the rocks and caves have colourful names. We were told that one outcrop we passed was called Titanic – not something you particularly want to hear at the start of a boat trip. The stack next to it is known as Iceberg, while one rock resembles an elephant and another looks like a camel’s head.
We passed more sunbather-packed beaches that looked alluring in the sunshine, though I knew from experience that some required long, strenuous climbs down from the clifftop and – a greater challenge – back up. The sand-coloured cliff faces formed a fantastic backdrop, and the bands of colour and weird shapes of the eroded rocks looked intriguing.
We reached the grottoes and ducked under rocky arches into several of the chambers, the skipper handling the craft deftly in even the trickiest sections. He would occasionally ask us all to nudge together into the middle of the vessel to provide better balance in narrow stretches. Some caves can be entered only when the tide is out, as higher water levels would result in bashed foreheads on the way in.
Water erosion had formed holes in some ceilings, and in other places sunlight shone through underwater cracks in the cave walls, giving the seawater a luminous green glow.
It was all pretty amazing, though the presence of many other pleasure boats inevitably reduced that special “at one with the wonders of nature” feeling. There were lots of kayakers, and one boat had a small version of a children’s playground slide at the back so swimmers could slip into the water. Some trips offer a chance to go snorkelling, though even in high summer the water is pretty cold – it is the Atlantic, after all. We were told that the final grotto we visited was called the Monster Cave, because a rock face inside resembled an enormous skull.
We rounded the tip of the headland and gazed at further long stretches of cliffs and beaches, but could go no further because the water becomes choppy along that section of coastline. The skipper, who spoke Portuguese and English and a smattering of other languages, pointed out the towns ahead of us. Beyond them – the United States. Then we turned round and made our way back to Lagos Marina, passing a splendid sailing ship on the way.
Verdict: Fun short trip around a dramatic and spectacular stretch of coastline.
Top tip: Try to bag the front seat when you step onto the boat – you’ll get the best views, and your photos won’t include the head and back of another passenger.
NEED TO KNOW: Lagos Grotto Tour
WITH so many companies offering trips it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for you. I used an outfit called Bluefleet because it appeared substantial and established – it has a smart office in Lagos Station, while some of the others operate from pavement stands.
I was also impressed when I inquired about booking and was told that Bluefleet was not operating the grotto tour that day because the sea was too rough. Other companies were still offering the trip, even though the ride would have been uncomfortable and the boats would not have been able to enter some of the caves.
The tour lasted an hour and 15 minutes, and cost me 20 euros. Other offerings include longer cruises, kayaking through the grottoes, dolphin watching, and a visit to Algar de Benagil. This is a particularly large and impressive sea cave 22 kilometres along the coast to the east that can be entered only by boat. It has a sandy floor and a distinctive round hole in the ceiling. Boat trips also leave from other towns such as Portimao and Albufeira.
July 2021
MORE INFO
BLUEFLEET’S site gives details of the trips on offer, though remember there are plenty more operators to choose from. Ask other people or check out the likes of Tripadvisor for recommendations. READ MORE
CALL in at the Lagos Tourist Office in Praço Gil Eanes for street maps and information about things to do in an around the town. Or visit the Algarve tourism website. READ MORE
RELATED
WATCHING PINK DOLPHINS: Yes, there really are pink dolphins in the waters around Hong Kong, and regular boat trips mean you can watch them frolicking… READ MORE
JOIN US as we race friendly dolphins on a traditional Arabian dhow in a Middle East fjord close to the flashpoint Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE
RECOMMENDED
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! Afaranwide’s home page – this is where you can find out about our latest posts and other highlights. READ MORE
TOP 10 VIRTUAL ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Our up-to-the-minute guide to creating a website, one step at a time. The costs, the mistakes – it’s what we wish we’d known when we started blogging. READ MORE
TROUBLED TIMES FOR EXPATS: Moving abroad can seem an idyllic prospect, but what happens when sudden upheavals or the inescapable realities of life intrude? READ MORE
Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Japan Rail Pass and Global Work & Travel, and the language-learning tool Toucan. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.
Incredible.
I was fascinated after reading this post, I hope to be able to live this experience soon.
Was it very expensive?
Hi Stacy, thanks for the comment. Not too expensive, though it depends how long you go out on the boat for. Around $20 per adult for an hour upwards.
Very Nice! Thanks For Sharing..
Hi GeziLinki, thanks for the comment.
Awesome post. Thanks I’ve learnt in your blog. I hope you visit Philippines too please add to your bucket list.
Hi Cheryl, thanks for the comment. Would love to go diving in the Philippines.