Boat Trips + Private Charters
Beyond the famous cave runs there is a whole fleet out here: sunset cruises along the golden cliffs, sailing catamarans that anchor for a swim, traditional boats working the Ria Formosa lagoon, and private charters where the day runs at your pace with a skipper who knows every anchorage.
Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura have the biggest marinas and the widest choice; Faro and Olhão open up the islands and channels of the Ria Formosa; Sagres faces the wilder west. Private charters range from small motorboats for a couple of hours to full-day yacht hires with crew.
Every operator here is verified by us and takes your booking directly. Algarve Circle adds no commission and no fees.
What you can book
Real prices and durations, straight from the operators. Booked with no commission or fees.
Estrela da Ria Formosa
Ria Formosa Islands Tour
An island-hopping boat trip from Faro through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, with stops at Deserta, Farol, Culatra and the Hangares.
Lagos Grotto Trips
Ponta da Piedade Cave Tour
A 75-minute boat tour around the rock formations and caves of Ponta da Piedade, run by our family business for over 10 years.
Elite Yacht Charters Algarve
Luxury Sunset Cruise
Golden-hour private yacht cruise along the Algarve coast with drinks included, on a crewed yacht from an eight-boat fleet.
Seasiren Tours
Coastal and Caves Adventure
A 2-hour catamaran tour along the coast and caves from Marina de Portimão, our lowest-priced shared trip.
Mar Ilimitado
Seabird Watching
A 2.5-hour RIB trip from Sagres focused on the seabirds of the Costa Vicentina, led by our marine biology team.
Ecomarine Algarve
Santa Maria Route
A 3.5-hour boat route around the Ria Formosa's barrier islands from Faro, without the dolphin search of our other trips.
Elite Yacht Charters Algarve
Full Day Yacht Charter
A full day of private yacht charter along the Algarve coast, with the option to add water sports, SUP, snorkelling and a private chef.
Sea Algarve
Private Hire (Boat, Kayak or SUP)
Private hire of a boat, kayak or SUP from Marina de Albufeira for groups who want their own schedule.
Seasiren Tours
Private Tour (Kayak, Catamaran or Sunset Boat)
A fully customisable private tour for up to 8 guests, with sunrise, sunset or daytime departures from Marina de Portimão.
Sétima Onda Boat Trips
Private Classic Boat Charter
A private charter of our Classic cave route for groups of up to 10 people, departing Armação de Pêra.
Ecomarine Algarve
Sport Fishing
A sport fishing trip from Faro for up to 6 people, run by our small-group boat operation.
Estrela da Ria Formosa
Sunset Tour
A sunset boat trip through the Ria Formosa Natural Park from Faro.
Cape Cruiser
Sunset at Cape St Vincent
A private sunset boat trip to Cape St Vincent, marketed by us for marriage proposals and special occasions.
Ski Molhado
Private Boat Charter with Crew
An hourly private boat charter with crew from Praia da Oura, Albufeira, for up to 12 people.
TC Jet Tour
Beneteau Flyer 6.6 Private Boat Charter
Private charter of a 2018 Beneteau Flyer 6.6, 200hp, from the Club Naval de Portimão base.
The operators
AlgarExperience
A 19-boat fleet running Benagil cave, dolphin-watching, sunset and parasailing trips from marinas in Albufeira, Vilamoura, Lagos and Portimao.
BoatRent.pt
@boatrent
Skipper your own 17ft speedboat on the Ria Formosa: full-day self-drive charter from Faro, EUR 400/day, skipper available on request.
Izzy's Boat Charter
Experience the Algarve coastline in style aboard 'Izzy's', a sleek Axopar 37 Sun-Top.
Seacret Tours
Albufeira Marina operator running private boat tours to the caves and dolphins plus coastal kayak trips to Benagil, bookable online.
Ocean Quest Algarve
Vilamoura catamaran tours, dolphin watching and yacht charters since 2017, now with a Sunseeker Portofino for 2026 private luxury charters.
Carvoeiro Tours
Boat cave tours from Praia do Carvoeiro to Benagil and Marinha, run for over 30 years with 6 boats, visiting 15 to 20 caves on every trip.
Secret Algarve
Kayak tours to the Benagil Cave from Benagil beach, private lockers and showers on site, 4.9 stars from 2,400+ Google reviews.
Dream Wave Algarve
A 20-year-old family boat operator in Albufeira Marina running dolphin-watching and Benagil cave catamaran cruises plus jet ski hire.
Passeios Ria Formosa
Licensed Ria Formosa boat tour operator with departures from Olhão, Fuseta, Santa Luzia, Tavira and Cabanas.
BlueFleet
A 12-boat fleet from Lagos Marina running six tour types: grotto, coastal cruise, kayak, Benagil, dolphin-watching and private Blue Breeze charters.
Estrela da Ria Formosa
Ria Formosa island-hopping and dolphin watching boat tours from Faro, visiting Deserta, Farol and Culatra islands, direct or WhatsApp booking.
Sabino Boat Tours
Ria Formosa boat trips from Olhao by the hour, plus dedicated dolphin watching, from EUR 25.
Before you book
How much does a private boat charter cost in the Algarve?
Small private motorboat trips start around 150 to 300 euros for a couple of hours; skippered yacht charters typically run from several hundred euros to well over a thousand for a full day, depending on the boat and season. Each listing shows the operator’s own pricing.
What is a Ria Formosa boat trip like?
Completely different from the cliff coast: calm, shallow lagoon water, barrier islands, fishing culture and birdlife, leaving from Faro, Olhão and Tavira. It is the gentlest boat day on this list, ideal for anyone who prefers flat water.