Our Lagos Catamaran Cruise: A Relaxing Sailing Trip Along the Algarve Coast

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If you’re looking for a relaxing way to experience Portugal’s beautiful Algarve Coast, I can’t recommend this Lagos catamaran cruise enough. We took this 3.5-hour sailing trip during our June trip to Portugal, and it turned out to be one of our favorite activities in Lagos.

Unlike many of the smaller adventure-style boat tours where you’ll spend much of the trip seated in a small boat, this spacious catamaran offers a great way for you to sit back, enjoy the scenery, sip a drink from the onboard bar, and simply relax.

You’ll sail along the Algarve coast and past the stunning cliffs of Ponta da Piedade before stopping to swim, snorkel, and soak up the sunshine.

If you have a few days in Lagos, I think this is one of the best ways to experience the coastline from the water. This was one of the best values we found in Portugal. You can’t beat the price!

Short on Time? This is the exact Lagos catamaran cruise we booked through GetYourGuide, and I highly recommend it.

Why We Chose This Lagos Catamaran Cruise

During our family trip to Portugal this summer, we spent three nights in Lagos. We stayed in Old Town Lagos and knew that we wanted to get out on the water at least once!

When we started looking at boat tours in Lagos, we quickly realized there were several different experiences to choose from. Many of the tours use smaller boats to weave through the sea caves, while others combine a boat ride with kayaking or paddleboarding.

Boat Tours in Lagos Portugal at Ponta da Piedade

Those all looked like fun adventures and are absolutely worth adding to your Lagos itinerary. But, they weren’t quite what we were looking for that day.

Instead, we wanted a laid-back sailing trip where we could enjoy the beautiful Algarve coastline, listen to music, have a drink, and spend a few relaxing hours on the water. We booked this Lagos catamaran cruise through GetYourGuide just one day before our departure.

TIP: We love using GetYourGuide to book last-minute tours when traveling in Europe! It’s a great way to quickly find available options with pricing (sometimes even discounted).

As we walked through Lagos Marina, this was easily the largest catamaran we saw. We loved having plenty of room to spread out, rather than feeling packed onto a smaller boat.

Between the spacious catamaran nets at the front of the boat, friendly crew, and excellent GetYourGuide reviews, it checked every box for the relaxing morning we had in mind.

Looking back, it was exactly what we were hoping for. It was one of our favorite experiences in Lagos and an incredible value for a few hours spent sailing along Portugal’s beautiful Algarve Coast.

Click here to see my Instagram Reel about this Lagos catamaran cruise!

Lagos Catamaran Cruise Days of Adventure

Matt and Sarah on our Lagos Catamaran Cruise

What to Expect on This Lagos Boat Tour

We really found this Lagos boat trip easy and laid-back. You’ll meet at the Lagos Marina before the boat trip. Just bring your sunscreen, a quick-drying beach towel, some water, and, of course, your bathing suit!

Here is exactly what this Days of Adventure Lagos Catamaran Cruise was like for us, and what you can expect!

Sailing Along the Algarve Coast

Honestly, the Algarve coastline is the star of the show!

The catamaran cruise departs from Lagos Marina and heads west along Portugal’s beautiful Algarve Coast. Before long, you’ll be passing dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, and the famous rock formations of Ponta da Piedade.

The views from the water are incredible. It gave us a completely different perspective from hiking the cliffs above. We did that coastal walk the following day. And I highly recommend that you do that while visiting Lagos as well!

Music played throughout our sailing, creating a fun but relaxing atmosphere. It felt like the perfect way to slow down and enjoy a beautiful morning in Lagos. Matt and I loved stretching out on the wide nets at the front of the boat. For a few minutes, it felt like we were back on our Tradewinds sailing trip in Antigua.

When the wind cooperated, the crew even raised the sails for part of the trip. It made the cruise feel even more relaxing. Now, it all depends on wind conditions, but the Days of Adventure catamaran crew really does try their best to sail when possible.

Swimming & Snorkeling Stop

After sailing along the coastline, the captain dropped anchor for a swimming stop.

Guests could jump into the beautiful blue water, snorkel, or simply relax on the boat. There were also inflatable floats attached to the back of the catamaran. We didn’t try them, but several other guests took turns trying to run across them. A couple actually succeeded.

A mom and two grade-school-aged kids took that opportunity to go snorkeling!

When conditions allow, they also put out paddleboards for anyone who wants to get a little bit closer to the grottos and dramatic coastal cliffs the Algarve is known for. Due to the high winds, we weren’t able to take them out on our trip, but the following day, when we talked about the coastal path above, I saw our catamaran, and they did have them out. You will see that in some of my photos in this post!

If you’d rather stay dry, there was plenty of room on board to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the scenery. It’s a great time to grab lunch or a drink!

Drinks, Food & Onboard Amenities

There was a full bar on board, and you can use credit cards or tap to pay. We both ordered mojitos, and they were really good. We even went back for a second round!

The bar sells chips and similar snacks. But it’s recommended that you bring your own food. We stopped at a bakery and bought a couple of ham-and-cheese croissants before heading to the marina. So, make sure to have some lunch with you and bring plenty of water!

The catamaran had a large sun deck, lots of seating, and enough space that it never felt overly crowded. That said, our catamaran cruise was in early June, and they may fill up more later in the summer season.

Bathrooms were also available on board, making the trip comfortable from start to finish.

Water activities on Lagos Catamaran Cruise

Weather Can Change the Activities

Like many boat tours in Lagos, some activities depend on the weather and sea conditions.

During our cruise, it was too windy for the paddleboards. Instead, the crew loaded small groups onto the dinghy and took us inside one of the nearby grottoes. Matt and I went with a guide together, and it was such an unexpected surprise!

Days of Adventure Lagos Catamaran Cruise

It turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the tour. That said, I wouldn’t book this cruise expecting the dinghy ride, since activities can change depending on the day’s conditions.

Also, the exact anchorage for this Lagos catamaran cruise will vary depending on which cove is smoother, depending on the wind conditions.

I actually took these photos below of the catamaran we sailed on from above the day after we took this Lagos catamaran tour! We were on our coastal hike, and happened to see our Days of Adventure catamaran from the day before.

So, I snapped some photos to add to this post. So glad that I can show you both vantage points!

Who Will Love This Lagos Catamaran Cruise?

This Lagos catamaran cruise is best for travelers who want a relaxed boat trip rather than a high-energy adventure tour inside caves and grottos.

It’s perfect if you want to see the Algarve coastline from the water, but also want time to sit back, listen to music, have a drink, and enjoy the sunshine. Travelers who want a laid-back outing and those who love being on the water would enjoy this!

On our cruise, it was mostly adults. There were a few kids, too, and I think Abby and Jake would have really enjoyed it. They needed a chill day at this point in our trip, so we let them stay back and relax at our apartment. But they both regretted it when we showed them our videos and told them how fun it was!

Honestly, this Lagos catamaran cruise would be great for couples, friend groups, solo travelers, families with grade-school kids or teens, and just about anyone who enjoys being on the water. I probably wouldn’t bring babies or toddlers, though. It’s hot during the summer, and the large catamaran nets at the front of the boat aren’t ideal for little ones.

That said, I probably wouldn’t choose this as my only Lagos boat tour if your main goal is to go deep into the caves and grottoes. In fact, as long as you have a couple of days in Lagos, I would absolutely do both. They are very different activities, and since most grotto tours are only a couple of hours, you can do one each day.

But if you want a spacious boat, beautiful coastal views, swimming, drinks, and a relaxing few hours on the water, this is such an easy Portugal vacation win.

No rushing. No packed boat. Just sunshine, music, water, and those incredible Lagos cliffs!

How This Lagos Catamaran Cruise Compares to Other Lagos Boat Tours

One thing I love about Lagos is that there really is a boat tour for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure or simply want to relax, you’ll find plenty of great options departing from Lagos Marina.

Here’s how I’d think about them:

Small grotto boats: Best for exploring the famous sea caves.

Kayak tours: Great for active travelers who want to paddle along the coastline.

Speedboat tours: Fast-paced with more time exploring caves and grottoes.

Catamaran cruises: Perfect for relaxing, swimming, drinks, music, and incredible coastal views.

For us, this Lagos catamaran cruise was exactly what we wanted. We loved stretching out on the spacious boat, sipping mojitos, swimming in the clear blue water, and simply enjoying the scenery. It felt like a relaxing vacation morning instead of another sightseeing excursion.

That said, if seeing every cave and grotto is your top priority, I’d also recommend looking at one of the smaller boat tours below. They can access narrow caves that larger catamarans simply can’t reach.

Also, the following day, when we hiked the coastal path to Ponta da Piedade, we noticed a local boat operator at the bottom of the stairs offering short grotto tours (cash only).

I really wanted to do one, but everyone was getting hungry. It looked like another fun option if you want to get into the grotto and combine it with the coastal hike!

Here is a photo I took of that:

If you’re spending at least two or three days in Lagos, you don’t have to choose just one experience.

Most boat tours last only a few hours, so it’s easy to enjoy this relaxing sailing trip one day and a cave or kayak tour the next.

Is This Lagos Catamaran Cruise Worth It?

Absolutely!

If I were planning another trip to Lagos tomorrow, I’d book this catamaran cruise again without hesitation.

At €46 per person, and sometimes even discounted (we paid €36), this was often one of the best values we found during our trip to Portugal. It was easy to book, the crew was fantastic, and the scenery was unforgettable.

If you’re looking for a relaxing way to experience the Algarve Coast, I think this cruise is well worth your time. Between the sailing, swimming in the stunning blue water, music, and beautiful coastal views, it was one of our favorite mornings in Lagos.

One of the best ways to appreciate Portugal’s Algarve Coast is from the water, and I’d happily book this Lagos sailing trip again.

The same is true in many of our favorite European coastal towns and is exactly why we also loved sailing in Sitges, Spain (shown in the photo below), and taking a boat trip to the Calanques near Cassis, France.

Book Your Lagos Catamaran Cruise

If this sounds like your kind of vacation, I highly recommend reserving your spot before you arrive in Lagos. While we booked just one day ahead in early June, tours can sell out during the busy summer months.

Plus, they offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your trip, giving you peace of mind if your plans change or the weather doesn’t cooperate!

Whether you choose a morning or afternoon departure, this relaxing Days of Adventure sailing trip is a wonderful way to enjoy the Algarve Coast.

Where We Stayed in Lagos

We spent three nights in Lagos, staying in Old Town Lagos, just a short walk from Lagos Marina. We loved being able to walk to restaurants, beaches, and our catamaran cruise without needing a car. It made a great home base for exploring the Algarve.

Staying in Old Town made it easy to walk to the marina, restaurants, and beaches without worrying about parking.

We did have a rental car that we picked up at the Faro airport and used during our 5 nights in the Algarve. We then drove it up to Cascais, Portugal, where we returned it upon arrival. We don’t love renting cars when we travel, but I think it’s necessary for getting around in this part of Portugal.

Click here to browse accommodations in Lagos, Portugal!