Swimming near Algar seco

[shep]

Always enjoy going for a walk from the little restaurant at algar seco along the cliffs. Shortly after the restaurant, there are some steps going down into the open sea and I was just wndering if it was safe to jump and swim there. I have never seen anyone swimming, so looking for some local knowledge.

[EMM]

No No No, just talk to the local fisherman. Plus your holiday insurance would be invalid.

[laserblazer]

No No No, just talk to the local fisherman. Plus your holiday insurance would be invalid.

Chances are you wouldn't be worrying about though. Just your next of kin.

That said, the kids do it.

[shep]

Ok, just saw that video and certainly not brave enough to do anything like that. When you are walking dwn steps to the restaurant, there are also steps going left which lead up to rock ath along the sea. About 20 yds along, there are some 5/6 steps into the sea. Water looks beautiful there for swimming, and thats the area I was asking about. Not a big fan of beach swimming, so looking for somewhere to just jump in and then have access out.

[EMM]

That area is a popular fishing point for the locals so you would be competing with them at times. There can be some terrific waves and undertow near the cliffs which is why the fishing is so good and that is why the steps are there. all along much of the cliffs in this area you can see stpes and ledges cut by the local to fish from . But having said that in conversation with a Portuguese vsistor to Carvoeiro a few years ago he said than when he was a lot younger they used to cliff dive at Algar seco for money thrown in by visitors. He said that at that time there was a small beach that made getting out a lot easier.

[pete-flint]

Saw some guys jump off the cliff to the right of Benagil beach. The path looks O.K. for going up, but a bit scary for descent, probably easier jumping ! !

[CM]

Have done the Benagil jump.....bruised for about two weeks.....

[Michael Crane]

Have done the Benagil jump.....bruised for about two weeks.....

. . . . you should have kept your knees tightly together.

[pato]

Have done the Benagil jump.....bruised for about two weeks.....

I had a jump in Benagil a few years back and suffered no ill effects.

[pete-flint]

No crabs or sand rash ? ?

[djprescott]

Have done the Benagil jump.....bruised for about two weeks.....

. . . . you should have kept your knees tightly together.

.............or waited till the tide was in!!!

[Alison]

Can't remember if it was from near the Algar Seco cafe down in amongst the rocks or from the rocky outcrop a few hundred yards west of that (described on the home page as 'walk Escondinhas' and quite difficult to find as it is just down some almost hidden steps from the cliff edge - but a great spot) - but we did see a scuba diving group heading off from this point some years ago so probably OK in calm waters?

[EMM]

A local was recently paralysed from the neck down after jumping into what he thought was deep water in Ferragudo.
If it can happen to someone who should know local conditions there is not much hope for tourists.