Benagil Cave, located on the coastline of Benagil Lagoa in the Algarve region of Portugal, is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
No visitor to the town should miss the chance to see the Benagil Sea Cave, which is a popular local attraction. The cave has a unique feature of a mysterious eye that "pierces the sky", which is the main highlight of this attraction. Missing this natural wonder means missing out on half the fun of your trip.
The rocks surrounding the Benagil Sea Cave formed hundreds of millions of years ago during the age of the dinosaurs. Over time, the movement of the earth's crust, seawater erosion, earthquakes, and natural weathering, among other factors, caused the sea cliffs to erode into a four-way grotto around 20 million years ago.
As the sea level changed, the top of the rock collapsed, forming a huge cave that allowed the first rays of sunlight in millions of years to penetrate the grotto. It is truly a masterpiece of nature.
Although the cave is believed to eventually crumble into ruins due to weathering, rain, and seawater erosion, the time frame for this event could be thousands or millions of years. Visitors can still enjoy this unique natural wonder before it disappears.
While visitors can look down into the cave from the entrance above, the best way to appreciate the magic of this amazing rock cave is by taking a boat from the sea. Boat tickets vary by season and place of departure.
To save some money, visitors can walk along the trestle from above to Benagil Beach, where fishermen who specialize in serving casual customers are available, and the price is considerably cheaper than that quoted by travel agencies. The boat trip to explore this natural wonder lasts more than two hours.
As the boat reaches the rising sea, the space under the rock wall above becomes narrower and narrower, creating a sense of adventure in an unknown environment. At the end of the boat ride, visitors reach the Benagil Cave, where sunlight shines through a broken hole overhead, illuminating the cave's interior. The warm glow and blue water provide an extra touch of romance to this rocky cave.
While visitors can take pictures and swim in the seawater, local authorities prohibit tourists from entering and exiting the cave by swimming due to the strong currents that can sweep people away. Additionally, the stone layer above the sea cave is fragile, so visitors should avoid getting too close when visiting from above to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Furthermore, during summer, the peak season for tourism in Benagil, the beaches are crowded, and visitors may have to wait in line to visit the sea caves, even with a reservation. Therefore, the best time to visit is during late spring and early autumn, when there are fewer tourists.
In summary, the Benagil Sea Cave is a natural wonder that visitors to the town of Benagil should not miss. While its eventual destruction due to erosion is inevitable, visitors can still enjoy it before it disappears. Whether visitors prefer a boat trip or a walk along the trestle, they will be able to experience the unique beauty of this amazing natural wonder.
