The Beaches of the Eastern Algarve

The beaches of the eastern Algarve, Barril, Tavira, Manta Rota and Altura, have been given the Blue Flag and Gold Quality awards, serving as confirmation of their environmental quality as well as the high quality of their water and infrastructures.

They are all supervised beaches, protected by lifeguards, with bars and restaurants nearby and offer visitors the possibility of renting sunshades, awnings or canvas beach huts. They all have showers and provide access for the disabled as well as water sports equipment for rent.

To get to the beach of Barril you have to walk across a narrow pontoon bridge and then take the train that runs for roughly a kilometre through the marshland of the Ria Formosa. On the beach is a bathing complex with a bar, restaurant and children’s playground, ensuring all kinds of entertainment for visitors. Isolation from the crowds is only a short walk in either direction.

The excellent beach of Ilha de Tavira is ideal for families that enjoy camping and everything can be hired here for just that purpose. The endless beach, the calm, clear water and the good bathing facilities meet all the family’s requirements. Tavira Island or Praia Ilha de Tavira are reached by a short ferry journey from the town in peak season or from the 4 aguas port. There are also some lovely walks through the sand dunes. The beach itself is 11km long by 500m wide and has lovely, soft golden sand. It is also very child friendly and provides excellent swimming. There are also plenty of restaurants on the island and if you are feeling very daring there is even a ‘reserved’ section for naturists.

The beach of Manta Rota is an attractive beach that offers the chance to enjoy oneself on the beach in complete safety. The water is famously calm and warm and has children’s playgrounds dotted about. Great parking facilities allow you to drive right up to the beach. Further along the coast is Monte Gordo, which provides all the traditional beach attractions, but can become very busy in July and August.

If you wanted to treat yourself to a luxury lunch, then the place to visit is Praia Verde. It has excellent service, but it does not come cheap. With parking close to the beach and only a short walk to Monte Gordo or Manta Rota with all their bars and facilities.

The nature reserve is situated between the road and the quiet beach of Vila Real Sto. Antonio. Right in the corner where the land ends you will find the most beautiful and special shells, especially after strong winds or in the winter months. At this beach though there are no cafes, bars, restaurants or water sports, which would be heaven for some.

A personal favourite of mine is the beach of Fuseta, which is generally quiet for most of the year with only a few fishermen to watch, but during the summer months it is a favourite with the Northern Portuguese people, who drive down to the Algarve for their holidays. It a friendly beach, close to the town, with lots of cafes and bars. You can take the water taxi over to the island, which also has a beautiful beach.

There are some safety thoughts when going to any of the beaches along the whole of the Algarve. You must remember that the Algarve beaches are on the Atlantic coast, not the Mediterranean. Some beaches, especially on the west coast, can experience dangerous sea conditions. One of these conditions that causes concern, even for strong swimmers is the ‘rip’ or ‘undertow’. A rip current is caused by strong wave conditions and can be permanent or temporary. Rips are the effect of below surface water rushing back out to sea and can reach speeds of up to 3 m.p.h. Although these can be recognisable to experienced sea watchers, they are practically invisible to the normal, everyday beach goer.

Also be aware that after the end of September it is rare in Portugal that lifeguards are present on beaches. There also may not be safety flags to guide you since the swimming season is regarded as being over. The best idea is to ask locally about the sea conditions (surfers are you best bet) and always swim with caution.