The limestone cliffs west of Albufeira are riddled with sea caves, grottos, and arched rock formations that can only be reached by boat. Tours run from the dock below the old town and from Praia dos Pescadores, lasting between one and three hours depending on the route. The shorter trips take in the caves immediately west of town — Cathedral Cave, with its soaring vaulted ceiling, and the interconnected Xorino Grotto with shafts of light penetrating from holes in the ceiling above. Longer trips extend toward Praia de São Rafael and Praia da Coelha, where the cliff scenery is wilder.
Dolphin-watching excursions extend further offshore into the waters where common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are regularly spotted year-round — the Algarve coast is one of the most reliable places in Atlantic Europe for cetacean sightings without a long crossing to open ocean. Most operators combine dolphin watching with the cave circuit. Book at the dock rather than through hotels to get roughly half the price. Trips run year-round but are most comfortable from April through October.