#265 European Rank
Praia de Cacela Velha
Cacela Velha, Algarve, Portugal•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTU (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.58/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€30/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Gentle Wave Action
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
...
Good Swimming
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 de Cacela Velha: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. 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) · Cacela Velha, Algarve, Portugal
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.0°C
Air ~34°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 · 22.0°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.1°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 15.4°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 15.6°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.5°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.9°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 19.8°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| July | 21.4°C | 34°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.0°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 21.4°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| October | 20.2°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 18.5°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 17.1°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Portugal Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 8 Jul – 25 Sep (>21°C) · 79 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Praia de Cacela Velha for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Praia de Cacela Velha (Cacela Velha, Algarve, Portugal)
🌊 Water temperature: 22°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces S (sheltered from N winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/praia-de-cacela-velha-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 & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.9 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.9 / 5
About Praia de Cacela Velha
An empty barrier strand below a tiny walled hamlet, the eastern Algarve's quiet miracle.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Reached from the historic village of Cacela Velha (Vila Real de Santo António) via a short boat crossing across the lagoon or walking at low tide.
•Protected Status / Environment: Located at the eastern tip of the Ria Formosa Natural Park barrier island system (Natura 2000).
•Notable Feature: Vast, unspoiled barrier peninsula sandspit situated beneath the clifftop 16th-century fortress and whitewashed village of Cacela Velha.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
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
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Cacela Velha, Algarve. Accessible via regional coastal roads (37.150°N, -7.553°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Praia de Cacela Velha involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Bath-warm shallows at low tide; mind the pull in the lagoon inlet channel.
•Across the Ria Formosa from a tiny walled clifftop hamlet; wade over at low tide or take the Fábrica water-taxi.
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 de Cacela Velha?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Praia de Cacela Velha
What is the water temperature at Praia de Cacela Velha?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Praia de Cacela Velha averages 22°C (72°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Praia de Cacela Velha?
Praia de Cacela Velha is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Cacela Velha, Algarve, Portugal.
Is Praia de Cacela Velha good for families with kids?
Yes, Praia de Cacela Velha is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Praia de Cacela Velha?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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