Kayaking in Albufeira: Best Spots, Kayak Tours & Insider Tips

Want to go kayaking in Albufeira and wondering where the best spots are and what to expect? In this guide, we share the best kayaking locations in Albufeira and insider tips for a better experience. Find out!

Albufeira, located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, is known for its spectacular coastline and stunning beaches.

However, the vast majority of visitors spend most of their time at the long sandy beaches close to the old town and don’t realize that Albufeira also has some amazing rock formations and hidden caves, which are best explored by kayak (or a stand-up paddle, if you prefer).

We have spent a lot of time in the area in recent years and have done quite some kayaking in Albufeira. In this article, we share the nicest places to go kayaking in Albufeira, the best kayak tours along the Albufeira coastline (as well as to Benagil Caves starting from Albufeira), and some practical tips to make the most of your visit. We also include some info for families who want to go kayaking with kids. Take a look!

Top 3 Kayak Tours in Albufeira:

Kayak tour starting from Castelo Beach.
Kayak tour from Albufeira Marina.
Boat + kayak tour to Benagil Cave from Albufeira Marina.

Kayaking inside sea caves in Albufeira Algarve

Best Places to Go Kayaking in Albufeira (+ Map)

Albufeira has a very long and diverse coastline, with dozens of stunning beaches varying from long sandy beaches to secluded little coves surrounded by steep cliffs.

By far the nicest places to go kayaking on the Algarve Coast are the rocky coastline stretches with hidden caves and lovely secluded little beaches, some of which can only be reached by boat.

In Albufeira, such a coastline can be found on the far west side of town, more or less between Praia dos Arrifes and Praia de São Rafael in the east to Praia da Coelha and Praia do Castelo to the west (see the map below). This stretch of coast is the best place to go kayaking in Albufeira and where the best kayak tours go (more info about tours further below).

In addition, you can also rent kayaks on Falésia Beach. It’s a stunning beach and a must-see, but there are no sea caves in that area.

Last but not least, there are also kayak tours to the famous Benagil Cave. That part of the Algarve Coast is extremely popular attracting thousands and thousands of visitors every day. It’s located further away, so you take a boat tour from Albufeira Marina and then switch to kayaks once you get there (they use specially-built boats that carry kayaks so it’s all very seamless and well organized).

Best Kayak Tours in Albufeira

Below is an overview of the best kayak tours in Albufeira. For each tour, we include some practical info to help you decide which one to choose.

Kayak tour starting at Praia do Castelo. This is the most popular kayaking experience in Albufeira. Because you start at Castelo Beach in the west and kayak all the way to Arrifes Beach, you cover the entire stretch of the most beautiful coastline (other tours that start at one of the beaches in between, usually don’t go that far).

Kayak tour starting at Praia de São Rafael. This is one of the most popular kayak tours in Albufeira. In high season, it has multiple starting times throughout the day, so it’s easy to add this experience to pretty much any Algarve itinerary. Another big advantage of starting at St Rafael Beach is that there is a big car park right next to the beach. However, it’s also the most popular of all beaches in this part of Albufeira, so in the summer, the car park is often completely full by 10 am.

Kayak tour starting at Praia dos Arrifes. The main advantage of this tour is that they limit the number of participants (to 10 people at the moment of the last update). So you will spend more time kayaking and less time waiting for others. This is especially notable when entering small sea caves or when stopping for a break at the beach, but also when preparing for departure, etc.

Kayak tour starting at Albufeira Marina. This kayak tour visits the same nicest stretch of Albufeira coastline, but instead of starting directly by kayak at one of the beaches, you will first take a bigger boat and only switch to kayaks once you reach Castelo Beach. If you are worried about finding parking at one of the smaller beaches or simply prefer to start closer to town, this kayak tour is a great option. Many other boat tours (Benagil Cave + dolphin watching, parasailing, Jet Boat, etc.) also depart from Albufeira Marina, so starting here also makes it possible to combine two tours in one day.

SUP tour starting at Praia da Coelha. This is the best standup paddleboard tour in Albufeira. It covers a bit less ground but since Coelha Beach is located right in the middle of the nicest coastline, you get to see all the best spots.

Benagil Caves kayak tour from Albufeira Marina. If you are staying in Albufeira but want to go kayaking near the famous Benagil Cave without having to drive all the way there, this boat tour is by far the best option. You travel the biggest distance by boat and only switch to kayaks once you get there.

Below, you can find some information about these tours and what you can expect when kayaking in Albufeira. Read on!

What to Expect

When going on a kayak tour in Albufeira, you can expect to see a stunning coastline with sea cliffs, beautiful beaches, and sea caves. Weather- and sea conditions permitting, all kayak/ SUP tours will go inside a few sea caves. In the summer, most kayak tours also include a stop at one of the secluded beaches for a swim.

All kayak/SUP tours are very easy-going and suitable for beginners. Before the tour, you will get a short introduction to kayaking and can ask any questions. Every kayak tour we ever took in Algarve had at least a few people who had never kayaked before. Everyone learns it quickly and we never saw anyone having trouble or being unable to follow.

The scenery you will see on Albufeira kayak tours is the same since all tours visit the same part of the coastline (except the ones that go to Benagil Cave, obviously). The tours that start at Praia dos Arrifes or Praia do Castello pass a bit longer stretch of coast than tours starting at Praia Sao Rafael or Praia da Coelha, but the biggest part is exactly the same.

The main differences between Albufeira kayak tours lie in their starting locations, starting times, and group sizes. Tour duration and price are pretty much the same (unless you go beyond Albufeira).

TIP: Some kayak tours offer small discounts for early morning or late afternoon departures, so check different starting times when making a reservation.

Below, you can find more tips and helpful information that you may want to know when going kayaking in Albufeira. Take a look!

Kayaking inside sea caves near Albufeira in Portugal

Tips & Helpful Info for Kayaking in Albufeira

Go early! There are so many advantages of starting early: the sea is calmer, there are fewer boats (and other kayaks!), it’s easier to find a parking spot, and it’s also less hot. Alternatively, consider booking a late afternoon tour. The busiest hours are between 10 am and 3-4 pm.

Don’t forget sunscreen and sun protection. We always wear UV T-shirts and swim shorts for kayaking and my husband also likes to wear a UV-protecting baseball cap. You can also simply go in your swimwear, but be sure to use plenty of sunscreen for any part of your body that is not covered!

Check if photos are included. Some kayaking companies in Algarve provide free photos after the tour whereas others charge a lot of money for them. So if that is important to you, be sure to check tour descriptions!

Bring a waterproof case for your smartphone (like this) so that you can take some photos during your kayak tour. Without that, you won’t be able to take your phone with you. Some kayak companies sell these as well, but you will need to bring cash and they usually charge 2-3 times more than what you pay online.

Don’t bring anything you don’t absolutely need. Remember that whatever you take on a kayak will get wet and might also get lost in case you turn around. We usually only take one smartphone (in a waterproof bag) and leave everything else behind. You can leave your belongings with the kayak operator, but it’s best to limit this to absolute necessities (like your shoes or car keys).

If you go on a kayak tour from Albufeira Marina (where you start on a bigger boat and only switch to kayaks later), consider bringing a dry bag for valuables (like this). If you start kayaking directly at the beach, you can leave your stuff in their office but this is not the case on boat trips where you are supposed to take everything with you.

Bring a towel. You won’t need it during kayaking but you will definitely want to have a towel at the end of the tour. Ideally, you leave your towels in the car. Otherwise, it’s best to take light travel towels that don’t take up much space and that you can easily put in a dry bag.

Wear water shoes or no footwear at all. I like wearing water shoes when we go kayaking, but most people simply go barefoot. You can’t wear flip-flops or you risk losing them.

If you absolutely want to take some drinking water on a kayak, bring a reusable water bottle and make sure it’s not completely full so that it floats in case you lose it. We never take it and we never missed it, but we saw some people bring it (but never saw anyone drink it). Some kayak tours (usually the ones that include a bigger boat as part of the tour) provide drinking water as well.

You can also rent kayaks at some beaches in Albufeira. If you decide to do that, be sure to ask them for some tips on where to go and how to stay safe near sea cliffs (and if it’s safe to enter any sea caves that day). Even if you are a good swimmer, I highly recommend asking for a life jacket (they are always provided if you go on a tour).

Kayaking in Albufeira with Kids

If you wonder if you can go kayaking in Albufeira with children, yes, of course! We have done this many times and our kids always enjoy it.

That said, there are some age restrictions, and they also differ depending on the company. Some kayak tours don’t allow kids under 4, others under 5, and several others don’t mention any restrictions at all. The SUP tour doesn’t allow kids under 10.

A lot will also depend on how many adults you have per child. Having two adults and one 4-year old in a kayak may not be such a big deal, whereas having three 5-7 years olds and just one adult will make it more difficult.

Good to know: Most companies offer single and double kayaks. Often, double kayaks have an additional place in the middle where a small child can sit without having to paddle. Unless you have twice as many little kids as adults, don’t worry about it too much in advance – once you get there, the guides will help you find the best setting for your family.

So, this is our guide to kayaking in Albufeira. I hope that it gives you a better idea of what you can expect and helps you decide on where to go or which tour is right for you.

Kayaking offers an unparalleled way to experience the Algarve’s stunning coastline and is something that will make your vacation so much more memorable. Kayak tours in Albufeira are also suitable for beginners, so give it a try!

TIP: Albufeira is not the only place in Algarve where you can explore spectacular coastal scenery by kayak. If you are looking for more ideas on where to go, take a look at our guide to the best places to go kayaking in Algarve.

More travel inspiration for Albufeira:

More travel inspiration for the Algarve region:

Best Places to See in Algarve
Best Beaches in Algarve
Best Towns to Visit in Algarve
Where to Stay in Algarve
Algarve Itinerary
Seven Hiking Valleys Trail (the best hike in Algarve)
Best Things to Do in Lagos
Where to Stay in Lagos
Ponta Da Piedade
Best Things to Do in Sagres
Best Things to Do in Alte
Best Things to Do in Monchique
Best Water Parks in Algarve
Slide & Splash Water Park Algarve
Off-season travel:

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