#650 European Rank
Praia da Bordeira
Carrapateira, Algarve, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: muffinn from Worcester, UK (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.12/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
19.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€37/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Moderate Surf
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces S (180°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces S (180°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
S (180°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the S-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Praia da Bordeira: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Carrapateira, Algarve, Portugal
Refreshing
Early August
19.5°C
Air ~32°C
Comfortable for active swimming; brisk initial entry
Brisk initial immersion; comfortable for sustained active swimming. Ideal for morning laps and water sports.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 19.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.9°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 15.2°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 15.3°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 15.9°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 16.8°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 18.3°C | 30°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 19.0°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| August | 19.5°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| September | 19.7°C | 30°C | Refreshing |
| October | 19.2°C | 27°C | Refreshing |
| November | 18.0°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 16.8°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Portugal Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 19.7°C in September · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (19.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Praia da Bordeira for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
Share with your group
Send today's water temperature, wind shelter, and beach access straight into your chat.
Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Praia da Bordeira (Carrapateira, Algarve, Portugal)
🌊 Water temperature: 19.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 82% free public sand • Sunbeds: €15–€26
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces S (sheltered from N winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/praia-da-bordeira-pt/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.2 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Praia da Bordeira
A vast, wild sweep of sand and dunes on the untamed Costa Vicentina, one of the Algarve's great surf and walking beaches.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Accessible via wooden walkways over extensive sand dunes from Carrapateira parking areas
•Protected Status / Environment: Located within the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
•Notable Feature: Expansive 3 km beach with large dune system and lagoon formed by Ribeira da Bordeira, popular for surfing
Official Tourism Authorities:visitportugal.com
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (82%)Private Concessions (18%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€15low season→€26August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Portuguese APA regulations preserve the vast majority of golden sand as open, unencumbered public territory.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Carrapateira, Algarve. Accessible via regional coastal roads (37.187°N, -8.901°E).
•Strong currents; a surf and dune-walking beach.
•A huge dune-and-river beach in the Costa Vicentina wild park.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
FAO · 35m drive30-45 min drive along the A22 highway from Faro Airport (FAO).
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Praia da Bordeira?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Praia da Bordeira
What is the water temperature at Praia da Bordeira?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Praia da Bordeira averages 19.5°C (67°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Praia da Bordeira?
Praia da Bordeira is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Carrapateira, Algarve, Portugal.
Is Praia da Bordeira good for families with kids?
Yes, Praia da Bordeira is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Praia da Bordeira?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
Head-to-Head Destination Matrix
Algarve vs Costa Brava: Portugal vs Spain Coastlines
More Beaches in PortugalRegional Guide
4.6
Tavira, Algarve, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean
Clearest water in Atlantic Ocean
22°C sea
33/day
Golden Sand
34°C• Scenic
Stays from €33/n
4.6
Horta, Faial, Azores, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean
23.2°C sea
36/day
Black Sand
34°C• Scenic
Stays from €36/n
4.6
Cacela Velha, Algarve, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean
3rd Cheapest day in Atlantic Ocean · €30/day
22°C sea
30/day
Golden Sand
34°C• Kids
Stays from €30/n
4.5
Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean
Highest scenery score in Atlantic Ocean
23.2°C sea
31/day
Black Sand
34°C• Scenic
Stays from €31/nWarmest European Beaches this SeasonNOAA Climatology
4.7
Alanya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
44/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Stays from €44/n
4.5
Antalya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
43/day
Pebbles
37°C• Kids
Stays from €43/n
4.8
Antalya (Kalkan), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
28.9°C sea
45/day
White Sand
32°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.8
Antalya (Kemer), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Longest swim season in Mediterranean Sea · 200 days
28.9°C sea
20/day
White Sand
33°C• Kids
Stays from €20/n