santa bernarda pirate ship tours

Cave expedition

Online booking

Buy your ticket online throught our online booking service, or contact us via phone, email or contact form at the end of this page. In case you have any questions please feel free to contact us. We hope to welcome you on board soon.

P1 – Cave expedition – morning

In the morning the sea is very calm, ideal conditions for an unforgettable cave trip. We begin our trip in the historical harbour of Portimão. We follow the Rio Arade, passing the fishermen’s village of Ferragudo and two medieval forts. With motorpower we reach the Atlantic, turning South-East, passing the beautiful coastline to Carvoeiro and the rock formations of Algar Seco. At the Lighthouse of Alfazina we transfer you to our safe and special equiped cave boats, to show you the best caves of Carvoeiro, Benagil and Praia da Marinha, close to Armação de Pêra.

P2 - Cave expedition – afternoon

We commence our sailing trip in the historical harbour of Portimão passing the fishermen´s village of Ferragudo with two medieval forts, we reach the Atlantic turning South-East. At the Lighthouse we set sail, cruising alongside the cliffs to Carvoeiro, and the rock formations of Algar Seco. We show you the Smuggler´s cave, the deep cave of Alfanzina and the Cape of Carvoeiro. These are the most spectacular Algarvian caves in the region between Portimão and Armação de Pêra. If the weather condittions allow, we will stopt the boat and you will have the chance to have a swim.

P3 – Caves and Beach BBQ – whole day

Come with us and enjoy a whole day's cruise in the spirit of the great explorers like Columbus and Vasco da Gama. In the morning you will have the chance to visit some of the best caves in the Algarve. Afterwards we take you to a beach where we serve a 3-course BBQ consisting of grilled sardines, chicken piri-piri, pork steaks, mixed salad and traditional bread followed by fruits. Enjoy chilled wines and soft drinks. In case you prefer vegetarian food, please advice at time of booking. About 2:30 p.m. we cruise direction Lagos and turn back to Portimão under sail, ending your day of adventure. The beach for the BBQ will be defined at the time of departure, considering the sea conditions.

Private Charter

The caravelle "Santa Bernarda" (max. capacity: 60 persons) is available for chartering by hours or the whole day. Suitable in particular for family and company parties, clubs and so on. We arrange for tailor made programme and catering in accordance to your individual desires. For inquiry and further information please fill in our request sheet (see contact). We advice you to contact us as soon as possible, so that we can guarantee the reservation of the boat.

Sales points

We offer several sales poits in the Algarve. Book your ticket directly with us by phone, email or online booking. You can also book at the reception of your hotel, find a local reseller shop or go to our sales stand No.5 at the pier in Portimão (close to the Capitania)

Our team consists 2 multilingual captains for the “Santa Bernarda”, 2 boatmen for the traditional, motorized cave boats and 2 sailors serving drinks and snacks at the bar on board. All of our employees look back on many years of experience at sea and in the caves. Our colleagues in the office ensure that you are in good hands with us for all your concerns.

Boat and safety

This 75 foot two mast sailing vessel offers you an unique experience for the sea and shows you the most beautiful Algarvian coastline. Find your comfortable sitting place in the protected mid-deck, top deck, aft-salon or galley. The "Santa Bernarda" complies the latest safety and rescue equipment according to the EU-regulations for safety at sea. At the beginning of the cruise the crew will give you complete information about the safety and rescue equipment on board in English. In the "Pirate bar" and heated salon we offer you a variety of drinks and snacks. Jackets on board are also available.

The "Santa Bernarda" was built in 1968 on the french Atlantic coast, in Bayonne. Until 1992 it served as a fishing vessel in the north Atlantic under the name of “Le Trident”. In 1995, retired from fishery, the vessel came to the harbour of Portimão, where it was bought by the “Santa Bernarda cruzeiros Lda.” All the construction and modernisation works were done on the old shipyard of Portimão, close to the old bridge. Since October 2020 the “Santa Bernarda” operates regularly from the Port of Portimão.

Contact/Office

Santa Bernarda Cruzeiros Ltd. Rua Júdice Fialho, 4 8500–702 Portimão Algarve – Portugal Mobil Phone: +351 967 023 840 phone/Fax: +351 282 422 791 E-Mail: info@santa–bernarda.com Office: Mo - Fr , 8:00am to 6:00pm NIF: 503 822 612 / RNAAT: 165/2010

The boarding takes place at the Cais Vasco da Gama , close to the Clube Naval of Portimão , 30 minutes before departure. There is a free parking place close to the Clube Naval . Here depart all boats for excursions on the sea and river. Please wait here for the arrival of the “Santa Bernarda”.

Terms and conditions

The ticket is not transferable and not refundable. Our office phone +351 967 023 840, has to be notified of any cancellation at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellation less than 24 hours, before departure, due to illness or other, can only be accepted whit medical certificate. The passengers are requested to arrive at the boarding place 30 minutes before departure. Please retain your ticket until the end of the cruise. A change of weather conditions may alter the programme. Every passenger is insured according to the regulations of the E.U. We are not liable for loss or damage to personal item or clothing.

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Benagil Caves Pirate Cruise

• 9.20 / 10 140 reviews | 1,655 travellers Entertaining excursion, explained in Spanish, we went from the large boat to some boats to visit the interior of the caves... very happy 10 Tamara
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service starts

Feel like a real buccaneer on this pirate ship ride through the caves of Benagil. Have an adventure on a galleon and enjoy the rugged scenery of the Algarve coastline.

At 2:30 pm, we'll meet at the Vasco da Gama pier in Portimão to board an authentic pirate ship and start sailing along the Algarve coastline . The perfect tour if you want to feel like you're immersed in an adventure film!

After boarding the galleon, we'll sail along the coast of the Arade River as we make our way to the open sea. Onboard the ship, you'll be able to see medieval castles, riverside landscapes and the Atlantic in the background. 

Sailing east, we'll pass by Carvoeiro , where you'll be able to see the famous Algar Seco caves . Our pirate ship will then take us to the  Alfanzina Lighthouse , where we'll head inside the Benagil Caves onboard the boat. 

On the return trip, if you keep your eyes peeled, you may even see dolphins swimming alongside the pirate ship !

After three hours of enjoying this paradise along Portuguese coast, we'll return to the Vasco da Gama pier in Portimão.

More Information

The activity takes place with an escort that speaks in English and other languages.

Pirate cruise.

English speaking guide.

When to book?

You can book up until 24 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Accessible only for folding chairs. An accompanying person is required. This must be indicated in the reservation.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• Printed material is avoided.
• No single-use plastics are used.
• The activity promotes local production.
• No printing of documentation required.
• Has a gender equality policy.

Santa Bernarda Cruzeiros, Lda. Show more

Corporate name: Santa Bernarda Cruzeiros, Lda.

Frequently asked questions

Q - What is the boat's capacity?

A - A maximum of 65 people can fit on the boat.

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

Vasco da Gama Pier.

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Santa Bernarda pirate ship - Santa Bernarda

• Europe    
• Portugal    
• Algarve    
• Faro District    
• Portimao    
• Portimao - Things to Do    
• Santa Bernarda

Santa Bernarda pirate ship

For 30 Euros pp, this is a great day out. You board at the Marina in Portimao. The ship is a real old-fashioned fishing cutter built in 1968 and then restored as a tourist attraction. It seems very safe and the crew are friendly and helpful. There is also a bar onboard and male and female toilets which are not too bad. We did the Cave Expedition but there are a variety of different tours available. Once out at sea,we climbed into smaller motorboats to investigate the shore caves, but sadly the tide was in so many of the caves were unnavigateable. Very interesting never the less and some really stunning photo ops. It's also worth noting that unless there is a strong wind the crew will rely on engine power rather than using the sails and this obviously adds a lot more noise and makes it less authentic. Here's the URL: www.santa-bernada.com

Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship

By booking a Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship experience with Fun In Portugal, you and your friends won’t have to be concerned about any logistics and finding the best spot. We take care of that for you, as well as plenty of other activities you may want us to help you with, such as outdoor karting. Some of your friends become your foes, while each side aims at the other and tries to tag it until victory is achieved. Unless you’re not a big fan of the sea; in that case, why not a paintball?

About this Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship experience

Get into the spirit of the Santa Bernada pirate ship and set sail to discover the smuggling coves and caves in and around Carvoeiro. Settle yourself in to one of the comfortable spots on board the ship from Portimão harbour before setting sail to the east, first passing the fishing town of Ferragudo and the two medieval forts, before continuing along the magnificent coast to the picturesque town of Carvoeiro.

Useful information

Capacity: N/A Prices: Enquire for more information Schedule: We can adapt it to your itinerary Duration: Half Day / Full Day Starting location: Enquire for more information We plan. You enjoy. What are you waiting for?

We plan, you enjoy!

Portugal is an ideal place to have endless fun, if you know where to look. Fun In Portugal knows when and where to have fun, and goes the extra mile to make groups of friends share moments they will remember for the rest of their lives.

During all our tours you will be escorted around by local guides, who will be on hand to share their knowledge on all the best places to go.

Fun In Portugal loves to cater to the needs of groups. That’s why the company’s efforts are in improving the communication with its customers, to help them decide what is most important, and how to make their dreams come true.

Clients/Partners

We personalize your fun, categories:.

(+351) 917 074 567

[email protected]

@funinportugal.pt

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Santa Bernarda pirate ship - Santa Bernarda

• Europe    
• Portugal    
• Algarve    
• Faro District    
• Portimao    
• Portimao - Things to Do    
• Santa Bernarda

Santa Bernarda pirate ship

For 30 Euros pp, this is a great day out. You board at the Marina in Portimao. The ship is a real old-fashioned fishing cutter built in 1968 and then restored as a tourist attraction. It seems very safe and the crew are friendly and helpful. There is also a bar onboard and male and female toilets which are not too bad. We did the Cave Expedition but there are a variety of different tours available. Once out at sea,we climbed into smaller motorboats to investigate the shore caves, but sadly the tide was in so many of the caves were unnavigateable. Very interesting never the less and some really stunning photo ops. It's also worth noting that unless there is a strong wind the crew will rely on engine power rather than using the sails and this obviously adds a lot more noise and makes it less authentic. Here's the URL: www.santa-bernada.com

Guide to Experiencing the Algarve Caves in Portugal

Posted on Published: 08/05/2023

While Portugal isn’t particularly large, this beautiful country boasts many different regions with varying landscapes and scenes. Travel about three hours south of the capital city of Lisbon, and you’ll reach the Algarve – the beach community in southern Portugal. It’s especially popular with Europeans in the summer and is a gorgeous, relaxing place to enjoy a vacation during the summer months.

Along the Southern coast of Portugal, among the beautiful beaches in the Algarve, are stunning caves and natural golden cliffs. While some of these sea caves can be seen from the coast, the best way to view them is from the water. There are several great different ways to see the natural beauty of the rock formations, including several different boat trips from various companies.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Guide to Viewing the Algarve Caves in Portugal

Benagil cave.

While there are loads of beautiful caves located along the coast of the Algarve, Algar de Benagil (Benagil Cave) is the most famous. It’s the image you’ll typically see on the covers of brochures and pamphlets – a beautiful cave with a skylight hole in the center of the top of the cave providing natural light, along with a small beach. Benagil Cave is located near Benagil Beach and is best visited by boat. It’s over 20 million years old.

While swimming there may be technically possible, the many boats entering the caves throughout the day can make it dangerous. It’s safest to visit the cave via boat and swim in other areas (including the Praia de Carvoeiro – Carvoeiro Beach, one of the best beaches in Europe), especially when visiting with children.

Carvoeiro Caves Boats

During our trip to the Carvoeiro Caves on our Adventures by Disney trip, we took a small speedboat trip. There are several options available when you book, including a longer trip, a private trip, and a trip with other parties on the boat. The boats generally accommodate 6-10 passengers, and lifevests are provided.

For our trip, we had to remove our shoes in order to get on the boat. You will likely need to take a few steps into the water to be able to board the boat. The water was not cold, so it wasn’t uncomfortable to have to do this.

The trips go by the Alfanzina Lighthouse and travel into many of the larger caves. Depending on the sea conditions, they may not be able to enter them, however. It also depends on the tides and the winds. Some of the longer journeys include time for guests to swim by the caves, depending on conditions and water temperature.

I really enjoyed the journey on the water, as well as the option to get so close to the caves. They really are beautiful, and it was such an enjoyable trip. If you want to visit the beach, you can also combine a visit with a boat tour. Even if you aren’t going to swim, I’d recommend wearing a swimsuit in case you get a little wet in the boat.

Kayak Tours

When we were on our cave tour, we saw many kayakers in the water, especially near Praia de Benagil and the Benagil Sea Cave. While we didn’t kayak, I will say that it did seem a little choppy.

While you will be able to get very close to the cave, I’d probably recommend that only somewhat experienced kayakers take this on for safety reasons. There are so many ships going into the cave that you’ll need to be good at steering the kayak. During our boat ride, we did see some kayakers that appeared to be struggling in the rough waters (from the boats’ wake).

While I didn’t go on a kayak tour, I have seen some online that look to be fun. This one, bookable through TripAdvisor , is a boat ride with kayaks loaded on the boat. That way, you can kayak around and then go back to the boat to return to your starting point. Again, I’d recommend wearing a swimsuit for this trip.

Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship

During our time exploring the caves, we also saw guests enjoying time on the Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship. This pirate ship is larger than the smaller ships we took but carries smaller boats. Guests can transfer to a small boat at the caves in order to go in and see things up close.

Boats board at Cais Vasco Da Gama, and a free parking lot is offered. Bookings can be made online through Get Your Guide . Food and drinks are sold onboard.

There’s also a two or two-and-a-half-hour trip that is both a dolphin watching and cave tour. You can book that here .

Regardless of which of these trips you want to take, I’d recommend booking early if you are visiting during the high season of the summer months.

Where to Stay in the Algarve

There are a number of hotels, vacation homes, and resorts in the Algarve. For our trip, we stayed at the Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel , a gorgeous waterfront resort located by the Vale Covo on the Algarve coastline.

We loved staying here, and would definitely recommend paying extra for a room with a water view. I really think it’s one of the best places to stay in the area. It’s also a short walk into the town of Carvoeiro, where you’ll find a beach, small restaurants, and various shops.

While you are there, consider dining at one of their restaurants, or having a drink at the rooftop Sky Bar. These locations have gorgeous views, especially at sunset. There’s also a beautiful outdoor pool, with views of the cliffs and the stunning coastline.

You can see more hotel options on the map below (includes affiliate links).

Getting to the Algarve Region

There are several ways to get to the Algarve. Guests flying in can utilize the Faro Airport, which does offer connections through Lisbon as well as international flights. The train is also an option and has several stops in the Algarve as well as in Lisbon.

A car is definitely the easiest and probably the most popular way to get around. For our trip, we chose to book a private transfer back to Lisbon from our hotel, because our guided tour had brought us to the Algarve. The Tivoli assisted us in booking that, and it made things so easy. We went directly from our hotel in Carvoeiro to our hotel in Lisbon and had a quick restroom stop halfway in between.

Frequently Asked Questions

The boat we took was a fun, quick ride, but wasn’t scary at all.

The caves are beautiful and are so great to see. But there are other great reasons to visit the Algarve, and I’d definitely include it on your Portugal itinerary.

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