A caravela "Boa Esperança" and Lagos Marina.

Caravela Boa Esperança - Lagos visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Caravela Boa Esperança' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Algarve.

The Caravela 'Boa Esperança' (Good Hope) is a replica Caravel moored at Lagos Marina since 2001 is a reminder of Portuguese exploration during the Discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries. The 'Cavavela' was first used by Prince Henrique when exploring Morocco and Africa in 1412. Purpose built as a long distance ocean vessel, the Caravel also had a shallow keel allowing it access to rivers.

The Algarve, and Lagos in particluar, developed a strong reputation for building Caravels. The ships were about 20-30m long, weighed about 50 tones and had two or three masts with lateen sails. At the time the Caravels were among the fastest ships on the sea.

Caravels were sailed round the Cape of Good Hope (Cabo da Boa Esperança) by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488. He was the first European to successfully do so, a testament to the sturdiness of his caravels (caravel São Cristóvão and caravel São Pantaleão) and his seamanship.

Having previously sailed to various ports worldwide in past years, the 'Boa Esperança' currently serves as a museum and education vessel and is popular with visitors and schools alike. She is moored up-river from the Forte Ponta da Bandeira.