Powered by the sun: The Algarve Sunboat is eco-friendly, sustainable, and fun
– September 9, 2024 | Text & Photos Eric Roth
Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with orange trees, and deep blue skies. Your vessel, called the Sunboat, is solar-powered.
What better place than the Algarve, with her dazzling sun, could spawn such a boat? As you silently glide past pristine green countryside, you and your fellow passengers are traveling on the Arade River from one ancient historic city to another. An hour after you have shoved-off from the picturesque Portimão Marina, the boat rounds a bend in the river, and you have the first glimpse of the majestic city of Silves, a splendorous fantasy vision on a river.
Captain Pedro of tour company Algarve Sunboat skilfully steers the boat with seven of us aboard. He tells us stories about the River Arade; how it was an important thoroughfare for the Romans, Visigoths, and the Moors.
He talks about passing landmarks that are only visible from the clean blue Arade. Pedro’s passengers ask many questions and his answers are colourful. All the discussion is easy to hear on a boat as quiet as the Sunboat. To see a city from the water is an exciting and different experience after only seeing it ashore previously. I am surprised at the peace and tranquillity surrounding us, and we are the only boat in sight since leaving Portimão.
When you arrive at your destination, the city of Silves, the boat is docked, and you have 90 minutes of free time.
You disembark, walk to a cafe, and eat and drink something nice. Then you may decide to stroll up to the majestic Castelo de Silves before it’s time to return to your boat for the return trip to Portimão.
The Sunboat will sail before the tide goes out. Suddenly, as we return to Portimão, a vast flock of storks soars over us, their statuesque shapes silhouetted against a sunset sky. I have never imagined seeing so many, perhaps more than a hundred beautiful storks, sailing overhead.
It dawns on me that this is absolutely the best boat ride I have ever been on! It’s slow and quiet. There is time to see things, and quiet to hear things.
Also, you are on a boat that does not consume fossil fuels, so there are no exhaust fumes, and no oil is leaking into the ecosystem around you. You can smell the fragrance of your surroundings and feel really good about being on a boat that isn’t messing up the river environment.
For a photographer, the slow pace of travel is so conducive for picture taking. You don’t have to rush each shot; the photos slowly develop before your eyes. After all, we’re here to relax and enjoy, what’s the rush? It’s uncanny that when you go slower, you see more and you remember more.
My wife and I enjoyed our journey on the Sunboat so much that, a few days later, we decided to try her sister ship, the Suncat (a solar-powered catamaran from the same company).
Suncat is larger, more powerful and seaworthy. She travels along the iconic Algarve coast from Portimão to the holy grail of such journeys, the famous Benagil cave.
There are two daily voyages to choose from, and we selected the summer sunset trip.
We again boarded at the Portimão Marina, which, by the way, has convenient parking. The Suncat is very spacious and comfortable, with an array of booth seating and tables.
You almost feel like you are in a cosy restaurant. The solar panels are on the roof, which also provides generous shade.
On this sunset cruise, there were 15 passengers and two crewmen. Captain Pedro was again our able skipper, but on this bigger boat, we also had First Mate Marco, who regaled us with stories, information, and humour.
As Marco identified each of the many beaches, cliffs, and communities, the quiet solar-powered boat allowed the passengers to hear every word he said. Occasionally, however, a noisy power boat would whiz past us, full of unaware customers who were bounced around as their speedboat slapped against the waves. We would sometimes get a whiff of their fumes, and enjoy knowing our boat didn’t produce hydrocarbons.
As we cruised along the shore, the golden limestone cliffs took on a surreal quality, rising up from the azure sea. The intriguing shapes made me think of ancient Egyptian sculpture of the pharaohs. There are many various-sized caves at the water line, which have been used for centuries to shelter fishing boats and pirates.
About half-way to Benagil, we had a good long panoramic view towards lovely Carvoeiro Beach. We learned that not long ago, it was a humble fishing village.
Today, it’s listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The Suncat leisurely cruised by, so we had plenty of time to marvel at such a fantastic sight.
Next, we gazed high up a cliff at the Farol (lighthouse) de Alfanzina, its bright red roof standing out against the blue sky. Below it, standing on narrow paths along the cliffs, a few daring fishermen dangled their lines into the water far below.
With anticipation, we now approached one of the top tourist destinations of the Algarve, the Algar de Benagil (Benagil Sea Cave).
Over the years I have seen many photos of its towering beauty, like a natural cathedral, but this would be my first time being there.
We were told that it is sometimes too crowded with boats inside, and unsafe for navigation. We would be lucky to have a few minutes inside. When we arrived, it was surprisingly uncrowded, and Suncat had a full 10 minutes to float safely inside.
I had time to capture a photograph of the “Algarve wonder” that I’m happy with.
Cruising back to Portimão, gazing at a colourful sunset, reflecting in ever changing patterns on the water, everyone on board Suncat felt a serene bonding with the sea, the sky, and being alive on our beautiful planet.
The quietness of gently lapping waves, a cool salty breeze, and distant calls of shorebirds was meditative. This is the best boat I have ever been on.
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