New Navigation Rules for Benagil Caves Limit Access and Ensure Greater Safety

Following the public consultation process that took place until June 10th, the final version of the navigation instructions for the maritime area around the Benagil Caves has now been published by the National Maritime Authority (AMN) / Portimão Port Authority.

The initiative by AMN, as the authority responsible for navigation safety, follows the report from the “Benagil Caves Working Group.” This report, which was also subject to public consultation, aimed to propose measures for establishing the human carrying capacity and determining the access conditions to the Benagil Caves, located at Benagil Beach in Lagoa.

As a result of this extensive participatory process, coordinated by the Algarve’s CCDR, a set of recommendations emerged. These recommendations pertain to the operation and activity of maritime tourism companies, safety, access and circulation in the caves and nearby areas, and the licensing, use, and oversight by the competent authorities. These recommendations have now been incorporated into the navigation instructions of the Portimão Port Authority.

Working Group representatives

It is important to note that following the government directive that established the Working Group, led by the Algarve’s Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR), the process and public consultation involved the participation of numerous entities and citizens.

The Working Group was comprised of representatives from the following entities:

Offices of the Secretaries of State for National Defense, Tourism, Commerce and Services, the Sea, Environment, Nature Conservation and Forests, Local Administration and Territorial Planning, and Fisheries;

Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission I.P.;

Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL);

Lagoa Municipal Council;

Tourism of Portugal, I.P.;

Algarve Tourism Region;

Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Maritime Safety, Fisheries and Sustainability;

National Maritime Authority;

Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere;

Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, I.P.;

Portuguese Environment Agency, I.P.;

Docapesca – Ports and Auctions, S.A.;

Portuguese Association of Congress, Tourism and Event Companies;

Algarve Tourism Animation Companies Association – Algarve Anima.

To further collaborate in the work, additional entities were invited, and contributions were sought to achieve the defined objectives. Notably, the Centre for Marine Sciences of the University of Algarve, one of Portugal’s leading marine science research centres, was included.

In Summary

The National Maritime Authority (AMN) warns that maritime-tourist operators who fail to comply with these rules could face fines up to 216,000 euros.

The new navigation rules include:

Banning disembarkation or beach use inside the Benagil Cave by individuals and companies.

Prohibiting kayak rentals without a guide in the Benagil Cave area.

Restricting access to the caves by swimming or using flotation devices.

Limiting the number of boats and kayaks allowed inside the Benagil Cave.

Setting maximum time limits for visits to the caves.

Requiring one guide kayak for every six visitor kayaks in the area.

Additionally, the notice imposes penalties on maritime-tourist operators who violate these rules, ranging from 300 euros to 216,000 euros. The fines, outlined in the Framework Law on Environmental Offenses, apply because the Benagil caves are located within the Algarve Marine Natural Park – Pedra do Valado, as specified by the AMN.