It is now prohibited to disembark or use the sand inside the Algar de Benagil, access by swimming or with buoys and armbands, renting kayaks without a guide or sailing between sunset and sunrise. These are just some of the rules that will come into effect. in force from August 13th, according to the notice from the Captain of the Port of Portimão, made public on Tuesday.
The rules, underlines the notice, define the «navigation conditions in the area corresponding to the Benagil cave system, between Vale de Lapa beach and Albandeira beach, as well as the adjacent water mirror».
In other words, they apply to an entire extensive area of the Lagoa coastline, including the beaches of Marinha or Carvoeiro, «in order to ensure that navigation, in particular, in the vicinity and access to the Benagil caves (…) is carried out with the appropriate safety conditions, safeguarding its visitors, MT [Marítimo-Turística] operators, navigation in general in the area and the environment», highlights the notice.
The new regulations, which also define the fines to be applied in case of non-compliance, were created «taking into account the work carried out by the “Benagil Caves Working Group”, namely the set of consensual recommendations that it was possible to achieve within the scope of the aforementioned working group", highlights the document, signed by Commander Eduardo Pousadas Godinho, Captain of the Port of Portimão.
In addition to the rules already mentioned above, access to the Benagil Cave will now be done «by geographic separation»: motorized vessels will enter the cave on the west side, while non-motorized platforms, such as kayaks, paddleboards and canoes, will only use «the east entrance, single file, and circulation in a “U” (hook) to enter and exit the cave».
There will also be a waiting area, in front of the Algar, where boats will have to wait their turn (see image).
The number of boats and the duration of the visit inside the cave are also limited: up to three motorized boats can enter, «if they are less than 12 meters long», but only one, if it is larger. The visit may last a maximum of two minutes.
Non-motorized equipment can enter in groups of six, but always accompanied by another, with a certified guide, and can stay for a maximum of eight minutes. The guide must have “a means of communication with land that allows him, if necessary, to ask for assistance or help”.
Crew members and tourists are required to wear a life jacket throughout the trip, as well as a helmet «in the vicinity of areas at risk of falling rocks from cliffs, caves and caves».
Underwater or recreational fishing and “diving with an autonomous diving suit or apnea inside caves or access areas” are also prohibited, with the exception of “monitoring or scientific research actions”, after authorization by the competent authorities.
Furthermore, both motorized and non-motorized platforms will only be able to access the area if the “meteo-oceanographic conditions” allow it and if “no Notice to Navigators is implemented that conditions or prohibits the activity of visiting the Benagil Caves” .
“A reduced speed must also be used when approaching the coast and during the respective maneuvers, just enough to maneuver, using a course perpendicular to the coastline”. They must also “avoid the production of noise beyond legally established limits”.
Inspection will be carried out by the Maritime Police, the Portuguese Environment Agency, local authorities, ICNF and “other police and administrative authorities depending on the matter and territory”.
Fines for non-compliance could range from 2200 to 44 thousand euros.
Click here to read the NOTICE in full (PDF).
See here the confusion surrounding access to the Benagil cave on an August day:
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