#458 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Praia da Calheta
Calheta, Madeira, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Don Amaro from Madeira Islands, Portugal (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.43/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
23.4°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€52/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Calm & Glassy
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Praia da Calheta: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. 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) · Calheta, Madeira, Portugal
Ideal Swimming
Early August
23.4°C
Air ~36°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 23.4°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.8°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 18.1°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 18.0°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 18.4°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 19.3°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| June | 20.9°C | 34°C | Refreshing |
| July | 22.3°C | 36°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 23.4°C | 36°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 23.8°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 22.9°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 21.4°C | 27°C | Refreshing |
| December | 19.9°C | 24°C | Refreshing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Portugal Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 17 Jun – 23 Nov (>21°C) · 159 days
Planning around peak water warmth (23.4°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Praia da Calheta for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Praia da Calheta (Calheta, Madeira, Portugal)
🌊 Water temperature: 23.4°C
⛱️ Beach access: 82% free public sand • Sunbeds: €15–€26
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/praia-da-calheta-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: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
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 & Setting4.1 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.8 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Praia da Calheta
Volcanic Madeira has almost no natural sand, so Calheta imported its own. Two calm golden lagoons on the island's sunniest coast.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Located in Calheta on the southwest coast of Madeira island, with marina parking and boardwalks.
•Protected Status / Environment: Artificial golden sand beach protected by two large rock breakwaters ensuring calm swimming.
•Notable Feature: One of the few imported golden sand beaches on Madeira island.
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
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
YesSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Calheta, Madeira. Accessible via regional coastal roads (32.719°N, -17.177°E).
•Warm, calm and shallow; Madeira's easiest and safest swimming.
•Two man-made golden-sand lagoons on Madeira's sunny south-west coast, beside a marina below banana terraces.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Calheta, Madeira, Portugal.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Praia da Calheta?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Praia da Calheta
What is the water temperature at Praia da Calheta?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Praia da Calheta averages 23.4°C (74°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Praia da Calheta?
Praia da Calheta is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Calheta, Madeira, Portugal.
Is Praia da Calheta good for families with kids?
Yes, Praia da Calheta is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Praia da Calheta?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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