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The Sailor

The Algarve coast, a private day at sea.

An 11-metre flybridge for up to eight guests, departing Portimão. Benagil, Alvor and the Lagos cliffs all within reach.

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5.0 · Google reviews
Trusted by guests from 14 countries
RNAAT licensed since 2023

RNAAT nº 1118/2023 · Capt. Agostinho Escudeiro

40+
Years on this coast
Captain Agostinho's licence
5.0★
Super host on Click&Boat
5/5 verbatim from every reviewer
5
Languages spoken
PT · EN · ES · IT · DE
8
Max guests on board
One group, one day, one boat
  • Google rated 5.0 ★
  • RNAAT licensed · nº 1118/2023
  • Operating since 2023
  • Up to 8 guests · 11 m yacht
  • Departing Portimão
Julieta seen from above, anchored over clear water off the Algarve coast. Two minutes · A day on Julieta
A day on Julieta — two minutes
Why a private day

A coastline you'll feel you have to yourself.

Most boats out of the Algarve run shared tours from the busy marinas, on a tight clock, with a price per head. We do the opposite. You leave from the river side of Portimão, where the cruise crowd never goes. Captain Agostinho knows every cove between Lagos and Albufeira and chooses where to anchor by what the water is doing that day. You pay once, for the day, for the boat — your guests, your pace, your route.

Why we built The Sailor

A boat we wanted to keep our own.

The aft deck of Julieta with the Algarve cliffs behind.
On board, anchored under the cliffs of the Algarve.

Twenty years ago we started taking the boat out to escape the crowded summer beaches of the Algarve. What began as a family refuge — a place for rest and for fun — slowly became a tradition. Friends came along to share the joy. The day at sea became something we wanted to extend to others.

We made a quiet decision. One boat, refitted in 2023 to the standard we wanted for our own family. One group at a time. The day belongs to whoever booked it. Isabel cooks the food on shore — the kind we'd serve at home. Cintia answers the messages. Agostinho takes the wheel.

When the sea allows, we go to Benagil. When it doesn't, we know where the water stays flat and the cliffs still look the way they should. Forty years of holding a master mariner's licence on this coast — that's what we offer. The rest is the boat, the food, and the time you have together.

— Agostinho & Cintia Escudeiro

Three routes

Three coasts. One private day.

Pick the stretch of the Algarve that fits the day — or let Agostinho choose by the wind.

01 Benagil Cave
Route 01
More photos

4h or 7h

Benagil Cave

The Algarve's most photographed sea cave, reached the calm way.

Benagil's sea cave is the Algarve's signature shot. We approach the slow way — coasting past Marinha and Carvalho's hidden coves, then easing the tender inside the cave when conditions allow. On the 7-hour route we keep going east toward Albufeira's striated cliffs and pause for a long swim at one of the quiet inlets only the boat crews know.

What you do

  • Anchor inside Benagil cave (conditions permitting)
  • Snorkel over Marinha's sandstone shelves
  • Paddle the tender into the smaller caves
  • Lunch at anchor, away from the tourist boats
  • Optional swim at Carvalho beach

From

€1,200

Total · 4 hours · 1–4 guests

Open route page See all pricing tiers
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02 Alvor Bay
Route 02
More photos

4h or 7h

Alvor Bay

Wide turquoise shallows and the dunes of the Ria de Alvor.

Alvor is the Algarve as the locals keep it: a wide bay protected from the open Atlantic, with shallow water that turns turquoise on a clear afternoon. We anchor over sand for a long swim, and on lower tides walk the sandbar that emerges off the dunes. The 7-hour version pairs Alvor with the cliff stretch toward Lagos.

What you do

  • Anchor over the Alvor sand flats — flat, shallow, turquoise
  • Walk the emerging sandbar at low tide (seasonal)
  • Swim away from the main beaches with the boat to yourselves
  • Long lunch on the flybridge
  • On the 7-hour day, push west toward the Lagos cliffs

From

€1,200

Total · 4 hours · 1–4 guests

Open route page See all pricing tiers
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03 João d'Arens
Route 03
More photos

4h or 7h

João d'Arens

Sandstone arches, sea stacks, and the quiet beach behind them.

The shortest crossing from Portimão takes you straight to the cliffs the Algarve is known for: João d'Arens itself, then Camilo, Pinhão and Dona Ana — a chain of sandstone amphitheatres separated by the kind of beaches you can only reach by sea. We slow down for the arches and anchor in front of a beach you'll have largely to yourselves.

What you do

  • Cruise the cliff chain — João d'Arens, Camilo, Pinhão, Dona Ana
  • Anchor in front of João d'Arens beach (calm days)
  • Snorkel and swim along the arches
  • Lunch at anchor with the cliffs framing the boat
  • Slow circle of the sea stacks before heading back

From

€1,100

Total · 4 hours · 1–4 guests

Open route page See all pricing tiers
Enquire on WhatsApp
Transparent pricing

Build your day.

Pick the three things below — the price updates instantly.

Route
Duration
Group size

Included with every charter

  • Captain & first mate
  • Fuel for the day
  • Water & soft drinks
  • Snorkel masks for eight
  • Two paddleboards (SUPs)
  • Towels & sun cream
  • Bluetooth audio
The boat

Julieta — 11 metres. Eight guests · refitted 2023.

Length 11.5 m
Capacity 8 guests
Cabins 2 cabins · 2 bathrooms
Year refitted 2023
Builder Guy Couach 1150 FLY
Air conditioning Yes
Top speed ~24 knots
Cruising speed ~16 knots

Fitted as standard

  • 2 cabins · 2 full bathrooms
  • Air-conditioned interior salon
  • Two large terraces — flybridge and aft deck
  • Bluetooth audio (guest playlist control)
  • Fresh-water swim shower at the stern
  • Snorkel masks and fins for eight
  • Two stand-up paddleboards (SUPs)

Julieta is a Guy Couach 1150 FLY, taken down to the wood and rebuilt in 2023 — new upholstery, new electronics, new tender, the same hull the captain has known for years. Owner-operated by Cintia and Agostinho, no third-party crew. A boat looked after the way you'd look after your own.

A morning on Julieta

What the day actually feels like.

Every charter is different — wind, light, the people on board. But the rhythm is mostly this.

  1. 08:30

    At the marina, before the cruise crowd.

    Coffee at the kiosk on the pontoon, the boat already prepped. Cintia hands you the bag of ice and the cooler box that came from the family kitchen.

  2. 10:15

    First anchor — the cliffs of João d'Arens.

    Engine off. The first swim. The water is colder than you expect for ten minutes, then perfect. The captain points where to look for octopus on the seabed.

  3. 13:00

    Lunch at anchor.

    Plates come out of the cooler — bread, cheese, fruit, the prawn rice Mãe sent. The captain pours something cold from the icebox. No tour group is going to interrupt this.

  4. 16:00

    The captain reads the wind.

    He'll tell you whether Benagil is on or off today. If it's on, the tender slips inside the cave when the swell drops. If it's off, you go somewhere quieter — no one but you on the water.

  5. 18:00

    Back to Portimão, salty and a little sunburnt.

    The Bluetooth playlist is still going. The light on the way home is the part you'll remember. The boat ties up, the captain shakes your hand, and that's it.

Always included

Everything you need for the day.

  • Captain & first mate

    Agostinho at the helm, a second hand on deck. Two crew so the boat runs quietly around you.

  • Fuel for any of the routes

    All three coasts priced the same way — fuel is in. No surcharge for choosing Benagil over Alvor.

  • Bottled water & soft drinks

    Cold water and a small selection of soft drinks aboard. Bring your own wine or champagne.

  • Snorkel masks & fins

    Sets for eight, in adult and junior sizes. The Algarve coves are the best part of the day.

  • Bluetooth playlist control

    Pair your phone to the cockpit speakers. The boat plays your music, not ours.

  • Towels & sun shade

    Beach towels for the swim stops, full shade on the flybridge for the rest of the day.

Add-ons available on request: champagne tasting, photographer aboard, sunset extension.

Why The Sailor

What sets the day apart.

  • Owner-operated.

    Cintia and Agostinho built and run the operation themselves. No agency markup, no rotating crew, no handover between booking and the day at sea.

  • The captain knows the coast.

    Forty years of sailing the Algarve. Every cove, every cave, every weather window — the route is shaped by what the sea is doing on the day.

  • A flybridge, not a deck chair.

    Shade for the whole party. Real seating, real space for eight without the elbow-to-elbow feel of the nine-metre boats most charters run.

  • One price, the boat is yours.

    Total for the day, not per person. The day is shaped around your group, your pace, your stops — never someone else's schedule.

A note from the captain

"I don't run a charter company. I run one boat. The day you book is the only day Julieta sails — and I plan it the morning of, by the wind."

Capt. Agostinho Escudeiro

Owner · since 2023

What you take with you

Things you'll see.
Things you'll feel.

See

  • The dome of Benagil from inside, with the sky cut out of stone.
  • The Marinha cliffs at Marinha — the colour of unfired terracotta.
  • Octopus and bream around the João d'Arens stacks.
  • The sandbar emerging in front of the Alvor dunes at low tide.
  • The light at 5pm, when the Atlantic turns the cliffs gold.

Feel

  • The exact moment the engine cuts, and the bay is suddenly quiet.
  • Your back against the warm fibreglass of the flybridge bench.
  • The cold of the first swim — and the laugh that follows.
  • The smell of bread and prawn rice from the cooler at 1pm.
  • The salt drying on your shoulder on the way home.
Made for occasions

The day that fits the moment.

Three reasons people charter Julieta — and how we shape the day for each.

Family days 01 · Family

Family days

Calm anchorages, shaded flybridge, swim ladders kids can actually climb.

What we set up

  • Wide swim platform with handrails kids can grip
  • Shaded flybridge for the hottest hours of the day
  • Snorkel masks and fins sized for under-12s
Tell us about your day
Anniversaries & proposals 02 · Couples

Anniversaries & proposals

Sunset cruise with champagne, flowers and the cove of your choice.

What we set up

  • Chilled champagne or magnum, your choice of label
  • Fresh flowers set up before you board
  • The captain anchors at the cove you pick — or his recommendation
Tell us about your day
Birthdays & retreats 03 · Groups

Birthdays & retreats

Birthdays, retirements, hen and stag mornings. Eight guests, one boat, the day shaped around the group.

What we set up

  • We coordinate cake delivery to the marina
  • Chilled magnum or wine on board, included or as add-on
  • Route ends where the light is best for the group photo
Tell us about your day
Real days, real guests

The day told
by the people who lived it.

Every photo here is from a real charter — taken by guests, with permission to share. The cliffs, the light, the table at anchor, the in-between moments.

Tap any photo to open · use ← → arrows to browse

What guests say

In their own words.

Three reviews from real charters in 2025 — pulled verbatim from our Click&Boat profile, where we hold a 5/5 average and Super-host status.

"Incredible from start to finish. The best service you could receive — I felt cared for as if they were my family.

Christian

Booked via Click&Boat

September 2025

"We had a great day on the boat. Cintia and the team were fabulous and we thought it was worth the investment.

Anthony

Booked via Click&Boat

August 2025

"A day to remember. The weather was perfect, the water was calm, and the whole experience was super relaxing.

Grace

Booked via Click&Boat

June 2025

Guests

What people say.

Recent Google reviews · 5.0 average

"We took the João d'Arens route for our anniversary. Agostinho timed the swim stop perfectly — the cliffs were lit gold by late afternoon, and we had the cove almost to ourselves. The boat is beautifully kept, the briefing precise, the day completely unhurried."

— Sophie L., United Kingdom, September 2025

"Benagil at the right hour, before any of the small boats arrive — that was the difference. Agostinho took us inside, then on to a quieter cove for snorkelling. Our two boys (9 and 12) climbed back on board a dozen times. Calm, considered, unflashy."

— Marcus B., Germany, August 2025

"Seven hours, Alvor Bay, eight of us. The captain read the day perfectly and changed the order of the stops when the wind picked up. We anchored on the sandbar at low tide and walked out into the lagoon. Genuinely one of the best afternoons of our trip."

— Emma R., Ireland, July 2025

"Sunset cruise as a surprise for my partner. Champagne ready, the music we'd asked for, and Agostinho gave us the space we needed without ever feeling absent. The flybridge at golden hour, the lights of Portimão coming on as we returned — discreet, generous, exactly right."

— Henri D., France, June 2025

"Agostinho knows this coast the way some people know a garden. He chose the route by the wind and we ended up at a cove I haven't seen photographed anywhere. Julieta is a real boat — comfortable, properly equipped, easy to move around. We'd come back tomorrow."

— Olivia M., United States, May 2025

Read all on Google
Julieta returning to the Portimão marina past the river fort.
Cais de São Bartolomeu · Portimão
Where we meet

Cais de São Bartolomeu, Portimão.
9:30 sharp.

The river side of Portimão, away from the cruise crowd. We send you the exact pontoon and parking instructions on confirmation, and the captain meets you at the gate.

Pontoon
Cais de São Bartolomeu (Cais Bartolomeu Dias)
Time
30 minutes before departure
Parking
Free, on the marina car park
What to bring
Swimwear, towel optional, no shoes on the boat
Open in Google Maps
Captain Agostinho Escudeiro at the helm of Julieta
The captain

Forty years of this coast.

Agostinho Escudeiro grew up on the Algarve coast and has held a master mariner's licence for more than forty years. He runs Julieta as a small family operation: his daughter Cintia handles the bookings, and his wife prepares the food on shore — the dishes that come on board with you.

Routes are decided on the morning of the charter, at the marina, by the wind, the swell and what the guests on board want from the day. He speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, Italian and German — and he prefers to give one full day to one group rather than rotate boats through the afternoon.

"I plan the day at the marina, an hour before. The coast tells you what it'll allow."
Capt. Agostinho Escudeiro
  • Master Mariner
  • Marine Radio Operator
  • STCW Basic Safety
  • First-Aid certified
The family behind the boat
The family behind Julieta — Agostinho, Cintia and the team that runs the day.

Three roles, one family, one boat.

The Sailor is run by the Escudeiro family. The same hands that built the operation are the ones you meet on the day — no agency, no rotating crew.

  • Capt. Agostinho Escudeiro Captain & owner
  • Cintia Escudeiro Bookings & guest care
  • Isabel Shore-side galley
  • Crew on board Deck & swim platform
Common questions

Everything you'd want to ask.

How do I book?

Send us a message via WhatsApp or the form below with your preferred date, route and number of guests. We confirm availability the same day and hold the slot with a 30% deposit. Final payment is due on the day of the charter, by card or transfer.

What happens if the weather turns?

If the captain decides conditions aren’t safe, we reschedule at no cost or refund the deposit in full. Light wind and Atlantic swell are part of sailing the Algarve — we adjust the route rather than cancel whenever it’s safe to do so.

Is the price per person or per boat?

Per boat. The rate covers the full charter — Julieta, Captain Agostinho, fuel, soft drinks and water — for up to eight guests. There is no per-person surcharge below capacity.

What time do we leave?

Most days we depart between 9:30 and 10:00 for morning charters, and around 14:00 for afternoon ones. Sunset cruises depart roughly two hours before sunset. We confirm the exact time the evening before.

What should we bring?

Swimwear, a towel, sun cream, a light layer for the return, and any food you'd like on board. We provide soft drinks, water, snorkels and towels for kids on request. Soft-soled shoes only — no heels on the deck.

Can we bring food on board, or do you cater?

Either. You're welcome to bring whatever you like — many guests pick up a platter from the marina. If you'd prefer, we can arrange a catered lunch from a local kitchen we work with; tell us at booking and we'll send the short menu.

Where exactly do we meet you?

Julieta is berthed at Marina de Portimão, Zona Ribeirinha. We send precise pontoon directions and a What3Words pin the day before. Parking is on the quay; the walk to the boat is two minutes.

What if it's windy on the day?

Light Atlantic wind is normal and we adjust the route to stay in sheltered water. If conditions become genuinely unsafe, the captain decides — we either reschedule at no cost or refund the deposit in full.

Are children welcome?

Very. Most of our guests bring children. The flybridge is shaded, the swim platform is wide and stable, and we keep child-size life jackets on board. Tell us ages at booking and we'll plan calmer anchorages.

More questions? WhatsApp us — Capt. Agostinho usually replies within the hour.

Send a message

Send Cintia a message.
She'll reply today.

No automated form, no booking widget. You message Cintia directly on WhatsApp — she usually replies within the hour, and always before the day ends.

Cintia Escudeiro

Usually replies within the hour

Open WhatsApp

Hi! I'd love to book Julieta for a day in July. We're 4 adults + 2 kids. Is the 12th still available?

10:42 ✓✓

Hi! Yes, the 12th is open for a 7-hour day. Benagil is the most likely route in early July — I'll pencil it in. Want me to send the deposit link?

10:51

Yes please 🙏 do you do birthday cakes too?

10:53 ✓✓

We coordinate with the marina bakery — just send me the name and the day before, it'll be on board iced.

10:55

Real conversation style

Reserve your day

The Algarve from a boat that's yours for the day.

Reply within the hour, every hour we're not at sea.

Reserve on WhatsApp Email us

Or call +351 924 748 781 — Captain Agostinho.