Beaches

Tavira has a coastal line of more than 18Km where one can find Tavira´s islands of Tavira and Cabanas.

The island of Tavira is approximately 11Km long and there one can find the beaches of Ilha de Tavira, Terra Estreita, Barril and Homem Nú*.

Cabanas Island is 7km long. In its center, the beach and from its accessibilities it is the most bathing prone area.

Besides ocean beaches, we must still emphasize Barra do Lacém, Arraial Ferreira Neto and Tavira-Ria´s beaches which confronting directly with the lagoon system display natural and landscape characteristics of great interest.

* Naked man

Barril Beach

The Barril trail is composed of six observatory stations and there one can admire Ria Formosa´s environmental wealth.

Barril beach belongs to an island system which we call ilha-barreira*. You can reach it by train or foot, choosing as a consequence, a healthier and ecological way. The second option also enables better observation of fauna and flora species.

When crossing the marshlands and during low-tide you can observe a crab specie Boca Cava-Terra (Uca tangeri), as well as some aquatic birds such as the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus).

Along the dune systems, it is possible to find vegetation species such as Aetheorhiza bulbosa, Ammophila arenaria (European beach-grass), Anagallis monelli, Armeria pungens (Sea Pinks) and Eryngium maritimum (Sea holly).

In the dunes, in front of the hotel/restaurant units, the Cemitério das Âncoras (anchor cemetery). The market, nowadays recuperated and used as beach support, was used a few decades ago to lodge marten and tuna fishermen along with their respective families.

Barril beach has been, since 1987, awarded with a Blue Flag and is distinguished by its healthy and clean environment and, for possessing cleaning, safety and information services.

It was also consecutively awarded in the "Clean Beach, Safe Beach" Campaign, in the years of 2000 and 2001 years as one among the sixteen cleanest and safest beaches of Portugal.

* Mud- island

Cabanas Beach

From the beginning of the island of Tavira, there is island of Cabanas, located at a thin but extensive sand line, before the last "first last" river block. The beach is in front of Cabanas village, still a land of fisherman. From its extensive marginal one can see the artesian fishing boats anchored in the river and preparation houses. The island is accessed by boat, needing around four minutes to reach the shore.

Tavira Island Beach

The island belongs to a system which we call ilha-barreira*. To reach the island it is necessary to cross Ria Formosa. This last one is a lagoon system made of marshlands, low tides and channels limited south by a sand stream of five island (ilha-barreiras) and two peninsulas.

In the island of Tavira it is possible to enjoy a picnic area located inside of a small pine tree forest. Here you can observe chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon species).

From here, you can see on the Ria´s other side, the Hotel Vila Galé Albacora. This tourism complex dating from 1945 was used to lodge marten and tuna fishermen along with their respective families.

There is a part of the island which is classified as natural reserve. This condition, which implies a more restricted use and access of the area, was granted for being an important area from the fauna and flora point of view and some birds' identification.

On sand areas, before the dunes, several species may be found, such as: bindweeds (Calystegia soldanella) and European beach-grass (Ammophila arenaria). Also some avifauna species, for instance: white storks (Ciconia ciconia), doves (Streptopelia turtur) and little terns (Sterna albifrons).

The island of Tavira has been awarded with a Blue Flag in Europe since 1987. This award is due to the fact that this beach has a clean and healthy environment and, for the cleaning, safety and information service it offers.

* Mud Island

Homem Nú* Beach

The beach is reached from Barril beach. When arriving in Barril, walk towards the extreme west of the island to reach Homem Nú Beach. This desert and wild beach has a magnificent view upon Barra da Fuseta and the island of Armona Island - sunset direction.

Homen Nú beach is an officially naturist beach.

*Naked man

Terra Estreita* Beach

On Barril sunrise side, the island Tavira gets narrow itself giving way to a sand parcel of more or less 50m width, called Terra Estreita or Praia de Santa Luzia, given that from this fishing village the crossing is done by boat. On the way you can see octopus clogs and innumerous local artesian fishing boats, as well as the typical marshland fauna and flora. The salt lake is vast and more desert than the neighboring beaches of Barril and the island of Tavira, offering tranquility and isolation. On this beach one can admire the superb sand daffodils flowers and bath in warm water. This beach is characterized by its quality tourism services combined with environment preservation concept.

In the beach there are several support services: Bar, WC, shower and other extra services such as massages which offer a pleasant stay for those who visit this place.

*Thin land

Beaches Potential:

The beaches located in Tavira have a high potential due to the following reasons:

- Being inserted in a greatly dynamic tourism area (Algarvian Coast);

- Bathing quality water, meeting the most exigent national and communitarian standards;

- Calm water beaches. The wave's height is usually less than 1 meter for about 70% of the year, offering proper bathing conditions;

- High quality landscape beaches and with several assets, one part turned to the sea and the other to Ria Formosa;

Come and discover them and help to preserve this environmental wealth.

Updated: 2009-07-17 12:04:04   Top