Benagil Cave Tours - Benagil Boat Tours

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Top 3 Guided Benagil Cave Tours for 2026

A dolphin boat, a premium kayak and the local beach boat — three distinct ways to see the cave, each with a detail page and free cancellation.

Dolphins Search and Benagil Caves from Albufeira

Best Seller

★ 4.9 · 5,005 reviews2 hours 30 minutesFrom AlbufeiraBoat + dolphins

Dolphins Search and Benagil Caves from Albufeira

Board a small inflatable at Albufeira Marina and run west along the golden cliffs to the Algar de Benagil, pausing at the cave mouth to photograph the skylight from the water before heading offshore to look for wild dolphins. Capped at eighteen guests, the fast boat gets you closer to the rock than the big catamarans and reaches open water where common and bottlenose dolphins feed. A sea swim stop is included when the sea is calm. It is the most-reviewed of these Benagil trips, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

From $34per person

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Exclusive Small Group Kayak Tour to Benagil Caves with 4K Photos

Top Rated

★ 4.9 · 1,765 reviews2 hoursFrom Carvoeiro (Praia do Carvalho)Kayak

Exclusive Small Group Kayak Tour to Benagil Caves with 4K Photos

Launch from Praia do Carvalho near Carvoeiro and paddle the cliffs to the Algar de Benagil, drifting beneath the skylight and slipping past smaller grottoes that boats cannot enter. A certified guide keeps the group of no more than twenty-four together and carries dry bags, while lower-back seat supports make the two hours easier on the body. Free 4K photos are included, so you keep your hands on the paddle and let the guide shoot. Under the current rules you stay on the water inside the cave — stepping onto the beach there is no longer allowed.

From $46per person

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Best Value

★ 5.0 · 1,302 reviews1 hourFrom BenagilBoat

Traditional Tour - Benagil Cave

These are the only tours leaving from Benagil beach itself, so within minutes a local skipper has you at the cave next door. A traditional wooden boat carries up to ten guests into the Algar de Benagil when the swell allows, lingering under the ‘olho’ for photographs before looping past the neighbouring sea caves and arches. The hour-long format keeps it the lowest-priced of these tours and suits anyone who wants the cave without a half-day commitment. The operator holds a five-star rating, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before you sail.

From $28per person

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Free Cancellation Up to 24h in Advance

Best Guides

Every trip is run by a licensed local skipper or guide, handpicked for their knowledge of the coast and there to make the most of your time on the water.

Book With Confidence

Every Benagil Cave tour is gathered in one place so you don’t have to hunt for it. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. No hidden fees.

Experience of a Lifetime

Drift beneath the skylight, watch daylight pour onto the hidden beach, and leave having seen the Algar de Benagil the right way.

Every option

All Benagil Cave Tours

Boat, catamaran and kayak trips from every departure town, ordered by review volume. Prices are the operator’s starting price per adult.

Albufeira: Coastline and Benagil Caves Tour by Catamaran

Likely to Sell Out

★ 4.7 · 4,731 reviews2 hours 30 minutesFrom AlbufeiraCatamaran

Albufeira: Coastline and Benagil Caves Tour by Catamaran

Oceanexplore’s modern catamaran leaves Albufeira Marina and cruises the coast to the Algar de Benagil, taking in São Rafael, Praia da Coelha and the natural arch at Albandeira along the way. It is one of the highest-rated trips here and one of the few that is wheelchair-accessible, with a top deck, onboard toilets and a multilingual guide. Most departures finish with a ten-minute swim stop in clear water off the boat. At two and a half hours it balances sightseeing and relaxation, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

From $33per person

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Benagil Caves Tour from Portimao - Small Groups

Best Value

★ 4.8 · 1,914 reviews2 hoursFrom PortimãoBoat

Benagil Caves Tour from Portimao - Small Groups

This large, stable boat from Portimão is built for comfort rather than speed, carrying up to a hundred passengers along the cliffs to Benagil and back in about two hours. It suits anyone who wants the caves without a small-boat bounce — families, older travellers and nervous sailors especially. The skipper narrates the coastline and holds position at the cave mouth for photographs. As one of the lowest-priced trips from Portimão, it is an easy first choice if you are staying west of the cave. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.

From $32per person

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★ 4.4 · 1,590 reviews2 hoursFrom VilamouraBoat + entry

PREMIUM Benagil Cave Boat Tour with Entry & Dolphin search

Running from Vilamoura, this is one of the few boats purpose-built to enter the caves, so when the sea allows you go inside the Algar de Benagil rather than passing the mouth. Every guest gets a guaranteed individual seat, which avoids the standing-room crush of larger boats, and the crew searches for dolphins on the two-hour round trip. It suits photographers and anyone set on cave entry from the eastern marinas. Note it is not recommended for pregnant travellers or those with back problems. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before you sail.

From $48per person

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Albufeira: Benagil Caves Cruise with Brunch and Open Bar

Likely to Sell Out

★ 4.6 · 1,583 reviews4 hoursFrom AlbufeiraCatamaran

Albufeira: Benagil Caves Cruise with Brunch and Open Bar

A four-hour catamaran cruise from Albufeira built around food as much as scenery, with a regional brunch and an open bar of beer, wine and soft drinks included. You sail to Benagil and anchor near a sheltered beach for a swim, with the cave itself viewed from the water; entering the interior by support dinghy is an optional paid extra. The Espírito Oceânico has a lounge, an upper deck and two restrooms. It is aimed at groups and couples who want a relaxed day at sea rather than a quick cave run, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

From $56per person

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★ 4.9 · 1,381 reviews1 hourFrom Armação de PêraBoat

Boat Trip to the Benagil Caves from Armação de Pêra

Tridente’s small boat leaves Armação de Pêra and reaches Benagil in around an hour, with a cap of ten passengers and a local skipper who knows the coastline. The short format keeps the price low and the pace relaxed, pausing at the cave mouth and the rock formations nearby for photos. It is well suited to first-timers and families who want a quick, good-value look at the cave rather than a long cruise. Bookings are held with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

From $29per person

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Top Rated

★ 5.0 · 1,366 reviews1 hourFrom Armação de PêraBoat

Benagil Cave Tour From Armação de Pêra

A short, keenly priced boat trip from Armação de Pêra with a maximum of ten guests, so it never feels crowded. In about an hour the skipper runs straight to Benagil, holding under the skylight for photographs before looping past the neighbouring caves and arches. Its five-star operator rating reflects a simple, well-run format that does one thing well. It is a strong pick for travellers based east of the cave who want the highlight without a half-day tour. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours ahead.

From $29per person

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★ 4.7 · 1,363 reviews2 hoursFrom BenagilKayak

Kayak Benagil Cave with 1st kayak tour company

Departing from Benagil beach, this guided kayak tour gives you around two hours on the water and more time at the cave than the quick boat trips. A guide leads a group of up to twenty-four along the cliffs and into the Algar de Benagil, pointing out grottoes and arches a boat cannot reach. It suits reasonably active paddlers who want to be at water level under the skylight. Landing on the beach inside is no longer permitted, so you stay afloat throughout. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

From $39per person

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★ 4.6 · 1,119 reviews3 hoursFrom AlbufeiraCatamaran

Caves and Coastline Cruise from Albufeira to Benagil

This three-hour catamaran from Albufeira Marina is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, one of the easier ways for less mobile travellers to reach Benagil. It carries up to ninety guests along the coast and pauses about five minutes at the cave, with room to move and shade on board. The relaxed pace and larger deck suit families and groups more than thrill-seekers, and there is time to enjoy the coastline rather than rush it. As with every trip here, the cave interior is viewed from the water. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.

From $34per person

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★ 4.9 · 998 reviews2 hoursFrom LagosBoat

Boat trip to the caves of Benagil

For visitors staying in Lagos, west of the cave, this two-hour boat trip saves the drive east and follows a stretch of coast the eastern tours never see. It runs a group of up to eighteen along the cliffs to Benagil and back, with the skipper stopping at the cave mouth and the arches en route. It suits Lagos-based travellers who would rather not change base for the day. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead, and the price reflects the longer run to the cave.

From $42per person

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Likely to Sell Out

★ 4.6 · 951 reviews4 hours 30 minutesFrom AlbufeiraCatamaran

Albufeira: Catamaran Caves, Swim & Food

Algarve Charters’ catamaran Mara runs a leisurely four-and-a-half-hour cruise from Albufeira, combining the Benagil coastline with a swim stop and a meal served on board — a chicken wrap, Algarvian salad, chips and fruit, with WiFi and a bathroom. As of 2026 the food is served on the boat rather than on the beach, in line with the current rules. It suits groups and couples after a half-day at sea rather than a quick trip. Strollers are not permitted; cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

From $63per person

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★ 4.9 · 856 reviews2 hoursFrom AlbufeiraBoat + dolphins

Benagil Caves Visit with Dolphins Watching from Albufeira

Oceaneye runs a smaller boat from Albufeira that pairs the Benagil caves with dedicated dolphin-watching, carrying up to eighteen guests on a two-hour trip. The compact size gets you closer to the cliffs than the big catamarans, and the crew heads offshore to look for common and bottlenose dolphins along the way. It suits travellers who want both the cave and a real chance of wildlife without a large crowd. Sightings are never guaranteed. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.

From $41per person

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★ 4.5 · 560 reviews2 hoursFrom Lagoa (Praia da Marinha)Kayak

Kayak Tour: Explore the coastal caves of Benagil

This guided kayak tour starts near Praia da Marinha, one of the Algarve’s most photographed beaches, and paddles a small group of up to twelve toward Benagil past arches and hidden coves. Two hours on the water gives time to explore at sea level and slip into spots boats cannot enter. It suits active paddlers who want the scenery of the Marinha coast as well as the cave itself. A life jacket is provided, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

From $29per person

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★ 4.8 · 394 reviews2 hours 45 minutesFrom AlbufeiraCatamaran

Tour to Benagil Caves and Coastline in Albufeira

SeaAlgarve’s large catamaran runs from Albufeira on a two-and-three-quarter-hour cruise that is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, with space for up to ninety-five guests. It takes in the coastline and Benagil at an unhurried pace, with a swim stop when the sea allows. The size and step-free access make it a practical choice for families with young children or travellers with limited mobility. As everywhere, the cave interior is seen from the water. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

From $35per person

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★ 4.7 · 338 reviews1 hour 30 minutesFrom BenagilKayak

Benagil Cave - Sunrise or Sunset Kayak Tour (Small groups)

An early-start guided kayak from Benagil beach for paddlers who want the quietest water of the day, before the boats arrive. Around ninety minutes on the water takes a group of up to twenty-one to the Algar de Benagil and the caves nearby, with a guide setting the route by the morning swell. It suits early risers happy to trade a lie-in for calmer conditions and softer light on the cliffs. You remain afloat inside the cave throughout. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

From $40per person

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Benagil Kayak Tour: Famous & Hidden Caves – Small Groups

Top Rated

★ 5.0 · 43 reviews2 hoursFrom BenagilKayak

Benagil Kayak Tour: Famous & Hidden Caves – Small Groups

Salty Cliffs keeps groups small — a maximum of thirteen — on this two-hour guided kayak from Benagil beach, so there is time to actually float under the skylight rather than queue for it. A guide leads you along the cliffs and into the cave when the swell allows, with room to explore the smaller grottoes. Newer to the listings but already five-star rated, it suits paddlers who value a quiet, unhurried trip over a big operation. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

From $34per person

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The cave itself

About Benagil Cave

The Algar de Benagil is the most famous sea cave on Portugal’s Algarve coast, carved into golden limestone over roughly twenty million years (how it formed). Its domed chamber is capped by a near-perfect circular opening — the ‘olho’, or eye — that drops a shaft of daylight onto a small beach hidden inside. Around a million people come each year, and since August 2024 the only way in is by licensed boat or guided kayak. We’ll help you find the right one, whatever your budget, departure town or access needs.

How the Cave Formed

The cliffs are Miocene limestone laid down under a warm sea more than fifteen million years ago. Waves widened joints in the soft rock into sea caves, and here the roof of one chamber collapsed to leave the circular skylight above the sand. Two sea-level arches let boats and kayaks slip in from the water.

Getting In and the Rules

You reach the cave only from the sea, on a licensed boat or a guided kayak or SUP. Since August 2024, swimming in and landing on the beach inside have been banned, with fines to match. Boats leave from Benagil beach and towns along the coast.

Accessible Tours

Larger catamarans from Albufeira and Portimão can carry wheelchair users when the operator confirms it ahead; small inflatables, speedboats and kayaks cannot. No tour lands inside, so everyone views the skylight from the water. The accessibility guide sets out which boats are step-friendly.

Getting there

Where Is Benagil Cave?

Address

Benagil, Caramujeira, Lagoa, Portugal. The cave sits below the cliffs east of Benagil beach.

Getting There & Parking

Reached by sea only — a licensed boat or a guided kayak. There is a free cliff-top car park above Benagil beach, about a 5-minute walk down, roughly 25 min from Portimão and 30 min from Albufeira.

Opening Hours & Access

The cave is open water year-round, but all maritime activity is prohibited from sunset to sunrise. Tours run mainly from May to September, when the seas are calmest.

Open in Google Maps → · Full visiting guide →

In photos

Benagil Cave in Pictures

The Algar de Benagil and its skylight, Algarve

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From recent travellers

What Travellers Say

★★★★★

The small boat from Albufeira got us right up to the cliffs, and the skipper found dolphins on the way back. The kids talked about it for days.

— Sarah, United Kingdom · Family · 2026

★★★★★

Travelling with young children and grandparents, the catamaran was the right call — calm seas, the caves up close, and a quick swim off the boat for those who wanted it.

— Jeff, United States · Family · 2026

★★★★★

Leaving from Benagil beach itself meant almost no time before we were at the cave. Short, well priced and exactly what we were after on a busy day.

— Aoife, Ireland · Couple · 2026

★★★★★

Paddling in was worth the extra cost. The guide took the photos so we could just take it in, and the 4K shots were the best souvenir of the trip.

— Lukas, Germany · Solo · 2025

★★★★★

The boat actually went inside the cave, which not all of them do. It ran a little shorter than the listed time, but seeing the dome from within made up for it.

— Diane, United Kingdom · Couple · 2026

★★★★★

A relaxed morning on the water with a small group. The guide knew every arch and grotto along the way, not just Benagil, and never rushed us.

— Bram, Netherlands · Friends · 2025

★★★★★

The brunch and open bar made it more of a day out than a quick trip. Worth knowing the cave interior itself was a paid add-on rather than part of the cruise.

— Caitlin, United Kingdom · Group · 2026

★★★★★

We were staying in Lagos and did not want to drive east, so leaving from there suited us. Lovely coastline the whole way to the cave and back.

— Marc, Canada · Couple · 2025

★★★★★

A quick, well-priced boat trip from Armação de Pêra. The skipper held position under the skylight so everyone got their photo before we moved on.

— Camille, France · Solo · 2026

★★★★★

Tiny group, no crowds, and time to actually float under the opening. One of the highlights of our week on the Algarve.

— Elin, Sweden · Couple · 2025

Recent reviews from travellers who booked these tours.

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Side by side

Compare Every Benagil Cave Tour

The same tours in one table — best-for, price, rating, duration and departure town. Tap any row to book on the operator’s own site.

Tour & operator	Best for	From	Rating	Duration	Departs	Book
Dolphins Search and Benagil Caves from Albufeira Allboat	Dolphin-watching with the caves, small group	From $34	★ 4.9 (5,005)	2 hours 30 minutes	Albufeira	Book
Albufeira: Coastline and Benagil Caves Tour by Catamaran Oceanexplore	Best all-round catamaran, swim stop included	From $33	★ 4.7 (4,731)	2 hours 30 minutes	Albufeira	Book
Benagil Caves Tour from Portimao - Small Groups Algarve Discovery	Big-boat comfort on a budget from Portimão	From $32	★ 4.8 (1,914)	2 hours	Portimão	Book
Exclusive Small Group Kayak Tour to Benagil Caves with 4K Photos Benagil Kayak & SUP Tours Brotherootz	A premium kayak trip with pro 4K photos	From $46	★ 4.9 (1,765)	2 hours	Carvoeiro (Praia do Carvalho)	Book
PREMIUM Benagil Cave Boat Tour with Entry & Dolphin search Floating Prestige	Guaranteed cave entry and a seat, from Vilamoura	From $48	★ 4.4 (1,590)	2 hours	Vilamoura	Book
Albufeira: Benagil Caves Cruise with Brunch and Open Bar AlgarExperience	A long cruise with brunch and an open bar	From $56	★ 4.6 (1,583)	4 hours	Albufeira	Book
Boat Trip to the Benagil Caves from Armação de Pêra Tridente Boat Trips	A quick, low-cost boat run with a local skipper	From $29	★ 4.9 (1,381)	1 hour	Armação de Pêra	Book
Benagil Cave Tour From Armação de Pêra Sétima Onda Boat Trips	Top-rated short boat trip, strong value	From $29	★ 5.0 (1,366)	1 hour	Armação de Pêra	Book
Kayak Benagil Cave with 1st kayak tour company SecretAlgarve	Kayakers who want longer at the cave	From $39	★ 4.7 (1,363)	2 hours	Benagil	Book
Traditional Tour - Benagil Cave Taruga Benagil Tours	The cheapest, closest trip from Benagil beach	From $28	★ 5.0 (1,302)	1 hour	Benagil	Book
Caves and Coastline Cruise from Albufeira to Benagil AlgarExperience	Wheelchair users wanting a relaxed cruise	From $34	★ 4.6 (1,119)	3 hours	Albufeira	Book
Boat trip to the caves of Benagil Lagos Grotto Trips	Visitors based in Lagos, west of the cave	From $42	★ 4.9 (998)	2 hours	Lagos	Book
Albufeira: Catamaran Caves, Swim & Food Algarve Charters	A leisurely half-day with a meal on board	From $63	★ 4.6 (951)	4 hours 30 minutes	Albufeira	Book
Benagil Caves Visit with Dolphins Watching from Albufeira Oceaneye	Dolphin spotting on a smaller boat	From $41	★ 4.9 (856)	2 hours	Albufeira	Book
Kayak Tour: Explore the coastal caves of Benagil Ricardo Fernando Mendes Cachofarro	Paddlers starting near Praia da Marinha	From $29	★ 4.5 (560)	2 hours	Lagoa (Praia da Marinha)	Book
Tour to Benagil Caves and Coastline in Albufeira SeaAlgarve	Families and wheelchair users on a big catamaran	From $35	★ 4.8 (394)	2 hours 45 minutes	Albufeira	Book
Benagil Cave - Sunrise or Sunset Kayak Tour (Small groups) SecretAlgarve	Early-bird paddlers chasing quiet water	From $40	★ 4.7 (338)	1 hour 30 minutes	Benagil	Book
Benagil Kayak Tour: Famous & Hidden Caves – Small Groups Salty Cliffs Benagil	Small-group paddlers avoiding the crowds	From $34	★ 5.0 (43)	2 hours	Benagil	Book

Good to know

Benagil Cave Tour FAQs

Can you still go inside Benagil Cave?

Yes, but only on a licensed boat tour or a guided kayak or SUP tour. Since 13 August 2024, reaching the cave by swimming and landing on the beach inside are both banned, so a booked, licensed tour is the only legal way in.

Can I swim to Benagil Cave?

No. Swimming into the cave, with or without floats or a paddleboard, has been prohibited since 2024 after several rescues and drownings on the swim from Benagil beach. Open-sea swim stops on some boat tours are separate and still allowed.

Can I walk on the beach inside the cave?

No. Stepping onto the sand inside the Algar de Benagil is prohibited for private visitors and tour operators alike. You admire the interior beach and the skylight from the water.

Is a boat or a kayak better for Benagil Cave?

Boats are faster, drier and suit every age and fitness level; guided kayaks and SUPs get you closest to the water and into smaller grottoes boats cannot enter. Catamarans add space, shade and a swim stop.

Where do Benagil Cave tours leave from?

Departures run from Benagil beach itself and from Portimão, Carvoeiro, Armação de Pêra, Lagoa, Albufeira, Lagos and Vilamoura. Closer ports mean a shorter run; the further towns often add dolphin-watching.

Which departure is cheapest and closest?

Tours leaving from Benagil beach are the shortest and lowest priced, because you are next door to the cave. Trips from Lagos or Vilamoura take longer and usually cost more.

How much does a Benagil Cave tour cost?

Short boat trips start from around $28 per person. Guided kayak tours and premium or catamaran cruises with food and drinks cost more.

How long do the tours last?

Short boat trips run about one hour, guided kayak and SUP tours around two hours, and catamaran cruises with a swim stop or a meal between two and a half and four and a half hours.

What is the best time of day to visit?

Late morning is ideal, when the sun drops through the skylight onto the beach inside. Seas are usually calmest early in the day, which also means fewer boats waiting at the cave mouth.

What is the best time of year to visit Benagil Cave?

May to September brings the calmest seas and the fullest tour schedule. Winter runs fewer departures and sees more weather cancellations, though the cave is open water year-round.

Are Benagil Cave tours wheelchair accessible?

Some larger catamarans from Albufeira and Portimão can take wheelchair users — confirm with the operator first. Small inflatables, speedboats and kayaks are not accessible. The accessibility guide lists the tours that are.

Will I see dolphins on a Benagil Cave tour?

Several tours search for dolphins along the coast and sightings of common and bottlenose dolphins are frequent, but they are wild animals and can never be guaranteed.

Can I bring my own kayak to Benagil Cave?

You may paddle your own kayak or SUP with a life jacket, but renting an unguided kayak in the caves area is banned. Organised access is by guided tour, at a ratio of one guide per six kayaks.

Do I need to book a Benagil Cave tour in advance?

In summer the best-rated tours sell out, so booking online is wise. It secures your place and, on every tour listed here, comes with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Is the Benagil Cave tour worth it?

For most visitors, yes — the light through the skylight is extraordinary. Manage expectations, though: it is a short visit, the cave mouth can be busy, and you will not set foot on the beach inside.

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Read before you go

Benagil Cave Guides

Benagil Cave Rules in 2026: What’s Allowed and What’s Banned