The sea surrounding the Sagres/Cape St. Vincent peninsula, where the cold Atlantic currents meet the warmer Mediterranean streams, together with the influence of the Gulf Stream, offers some of the best big-game fishing waters in Europe.
Magnificent marlin, swordfish, tuna and corvina can all be found in this area. Well-equipped boats, with fishing chair and harness, are available for a day's fishing (typically 9am to 4pm including lunch for €55 per person fishing) or for a half-day (9am to 1:30pm for €40 per person fishing). There are several operators based in Lagos. Boats can also be hired for a half-day's coastal bottom fishing for €30 per person fishing.

Line fishing from the rocky outcrops and cliffs all around the peninsula is a popular pastime and often assures a delicious dinner.

The traditionally colourfully painted fishing boats remain a constant presence along the Algarve Coast continuing a tradition of many centuries. This is also evidenced by the numerous Algarvian villages and towns where fishing has been a tradition since the Middle Ages and in some instances since pre-Roman times.

While few tuna processing factories remain and the tradition of "xávega" , in which fishing nets were launched from a boat and then pulled back to land by teams of men on the beaches, no longer is practised, fresh and tasteful Algarve fish continues to remain a gourmet's delight.