NOAA SATELLITE DATA (1991–2020 30-YEAR CLIMATOLOGY)
PT

Portugal Sea Temperature in August

Historical 30-year sea surface temperatures across 44 coastlines in Portugal for August. Derived from NOAA 0.25° blended satellite and in-situ marine observations.

Climatology Notice: Temperatures represent the 30-year long-term historical average (1991–2020 normal), not a live single-day sensor forecast.
Bathing Climatology Gauge · Portugal (August)
NOAA OISST v2.1 (0.25° Marine Grid)
20.7°C
Refreshing / Invigorating
Mean sea surface temperature across 44 monitored coastlines
Swimmability Verdict
Refreshing & Invigorating Plunge
Warmest Coastline
Coldest Surveyed Shore
Swimmable Ratio (≥21°C)
36% of coastlines16/44

While national waters average below 21°C, 16 of 44 coastlines clear the swim threshold in July. Focus your trip on sheltered south-facing coves and shallow bays.

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Warmest Swimming Bases in Portugal (August)

The top 3 coastlines holding highest water temperatures based on 30-year NOAA climatology.

NOAA OISST v2.1
#1 Warmest

Porto Santo Beach

Madeira Archipelago (Porto Santo)
23.9°C
#2 Warmest

Praia Formosa (Madeira)

Madeira Archipelago (Funchal)
23.9°C
#3 Warmest

Praia Formosa

Santa Maria, Azores
23.6°C

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Canary Current, Coastal Upwelling & The Nazaré Canyon

Despite sitting at Mediterranean latitudes, Portugal’s Atlantic coast and Algarve exhibit cool sea surface temperatures (averaging 18.5–20.3°C in August). Persistent northerly summer winds (the Nortada) push surface waters offshore, driving active coastal upwelling that draws deep, nutrient-rich ocean layers (14–16°C) to the shoreline. Off central Portugal at Nazaré, the continental shelf is bisected by the Nazaré Submarine Canyon (Canhão da Nazaré), a 230km long, 5,000m deep underwater chasm terminating just 1km offshore. In winter, this bathymetric trench acts as a hydraulic funnel, refracting and focusing North Atlantic storm swells into world-record 20–30m breaking waves at Praia do Norte.

Oceanographic Phenomenon:Summer Upwelling (Nortada) & Deep Canyon Wave Refraction
Thermal Lag Characteristic:Pronounced oceanic thermal lag: Atlantic water temperature peaks in late August and September (20.3°C), warming far slower than Mediterranean basins but buffering autumn cooling.
Peak Bathing Average:August / September
Statutory Tourism Sources:
visitportugal.comnatural.ptvisitazores.comvisitalgarve.ptvisitmadeira.com

Portugal Beaches in August

Individual coordinate lookups from NOAA 0.25° marine grid.

Showing 44 coastlines
Porto Santo Beach
#1 in August
23.9°C
Portugal flagMadeira Archipelago (Porto Santo), Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.8°
J
21.4°
J
22.8°
A
23.9°
S
24.1°
O
23.2°
N
21.2°
Praia Formosa (Madeira)
#2 in August
23.9°C
Portugal flagMadeira Archipelago (Funchal), Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.8°
J
21.4°
J
22.8°
A
23.9°
S
24.1°
O
23.2°
N
21.2°
Praia Formosa
#3 in August
23.6°C
Portugal flagSanta Maria, Azores, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.1°
J
19.9°
J
22.1°
A
23.6°
S
23.4°
O
21.8°
N
19.9°
Machico Beach
#4 in August
23.4°C
Portugal flagMachico, Madeira, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.3°
J
20.9°
J
22.2°
A
23.4°
S
23.7°
O
22.8°
N
21.4°
Praia da Calheta
#5 in August
23.4°C
Portugal flagCalheta, Madeira, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.3°
J
20.9°
J
22.3°
A
23.4°
S
23.8°
O
22.9°
N
21.4°
Praia do Seixal
#6 in August
23.3°C
Portugal flagMadeira, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.2°
J
20.8°
J
22.2°
A
23.3°
S
23.7°
O
22.8°
N
21.3°
Porto Pim Beach
#7 in August
23.2°C
Portugal flagHorta, Faial, Azores, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.3°
J
19.2°
J
21.7°
A
23.2°
S
22.7°
O
20.9°
N
19.1°
Praia de Santa Barbara
#9 in August
23.1°C
Portugal flagRibeira Grande, Sao Miguel, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.5°
J
19.3°
J
21.6°
A
23.1°
S
22.8°
O
21.1°
N
19.2°
Praia do Carvalho
#10 in August
22.4°C
Portugal flagAlgarve (Lagoa), Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.8°
J
20.1°
J
21.8°
A
22.4°
S
21.6°
O
20.1°
N
18.2°
Praia da Coelha
#11 in August
22.4°C
Portugal flagAlgarve (Albufeira), Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.8°
J
20.1°
J
21.8°
A
22.4°
S
21.6°
O
20.1°
N
18.2°
Praia da Albandeira
#12 in August
22.4°C
Portugal flagAlgarve (Lagoa), Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.8°
J
20.1°
J
21.8°
A
22.4°
S
21.6°
O
20.1°
N
18.2°
Praia do Barril
#13 in August
22.4°C
Portugal flagAlgarve (Tavira), Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.8°
J
20.1°
J
21.8°
A
22.4°
S
21.6°
O
20.1°
N
18.2°
Praia dos Três Irmãos
#14 in August
22.4°C
Portugal flagAlgarve (Portimão / Alvor), Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.8°
J
20.1°
J
21.8°
A
22.4°
S
21.6°
O
20.1°
N
18.2°
Ilha de Tavira
#15 in August
22.0°C
Portugal flagTavira, Algarve, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
19.8°
J
21.4°
A
22.0°
S
21.4°
O
20.2°
N
18.5°
Praia de Cacela Velha
#16 in August
22.0°C
Portugal flagCacela Velha, Algarve, Portugal
● Pleasant & Comfortable
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
19.8°
J
21.4°
A
22.0°
S
21.4°
O
20.2°
N
18.5°
Praia da Falesia
#17 in August
20.6°C
Portugal flagOlhos de Agua, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.3°
J
19.0°
J
20.0°
A
20.6°
S
20.5°
O
19.6°
N
18.2°
Praia de São Rafael
#18 in August
20.3°C
Portugal flagAlbufeira, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.1°
J
18.8°
J
19.7°
A
20.3°
S
20.3°
O
19.5°
N
18.1°
Praia da Marinha
#19 in August
20.3°C
Portugal flagAlgarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.1°
J
18.8°
J
19.7°
A
20.3°
S
20.3°
O
19.5°
N
18.1°
Benagil Beach & Cave
#20 in August
20.3°C
Portugal flagAlgarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.1°
J
18.8°
J
19.7°
A
20.3°
S
20.3°
O
19.5°
N
18.1°
Praia da Luz
#21 in August
19.9°C
Portugal flagLuz, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.9°
J
18.6°
J
19.4°
A
19.9°
S
20.0°
O
19.4°
N
18.0°
Praia do Camilo
#22 in August
19.9°C
Portugal flagLagos, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.9°
J
18.6°
J
19.4°
A
19.9°
S
20.0°
O
19.4°
N
18.0°
Praia Dona Ana
#23 in August
19.9°C
Portugal flagLagos, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.9°
J
18.6°
J
19.4°
A
19.9°
S
20.0°
O
19.4°
N
18.0°
Praia da Rocha
#24 in August
19.9°C
Portugal flagPortimão, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.9°
J
18.6°
J
19.4°
A
19.9°
S
20.0°
O
19.4°
N
18.0°
Praia da Ursa
#25 in August
19.8°C
Portugal flagSintra / Lisbon Coast, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.2°
J
19.4°
A
19.8°
S
19.2°
O
18.2°
N
16.8°
Praia do Norte (Nazaré)
#26 in August
19.8°C
Portugal flagSilver Coast (Nazaré), Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.2°
J
19.4°
A
19.8°
S
19.2°
O
18.2°
N
16.8°
Praia da Foz do Arelho
#27 in August
19.8°C
Portugal flagSilver Coast (Óbidos), Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.2°
J
19.4°
A
19.8°
S
19.2°
O
18.2°
N
16.8°
Praia do Castelejo
#28 in August
19.8°C
Portugal flagAlgarve (Costa Vicentina), Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.2°
J
19.4°
A
19.8°
S
19.2°
O
18.2°
N
16.8°
Praia do Amado
#29 in August
19.5°C
Portugal flagCarrapateira, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.8°
J
18.3°
J
19.0°
A
19.5°
S
19.7°
O
19.2°
N
18.0°
Praia do Beliche
#30 in August
19.5°C
Portugal flagSagres, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.8°
J
18.3°
J
19.0°
A
19.5°
S
19.7°
O
19.2°
N
18.0°
Praia do Martinhal
#31 in August
19.5°C
Portugal flagSagres, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.8°
J
18.3°
J
19.0°
A
19.5°
S
19.7°
O
19.2°
N
18.0°
Praia da Bordeira
#32 in August
19.5°C
Portugal flagCarrapateira, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.8°
J
18.3°
J
19.0°
A
19.5°
S
19.7°
O
19.2°
N
18.0°
Praia de Odeceixe
#33 in August
19.2°C
Portugal flagAljezur, Costa Vicentina, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.0°
J
18.7°
A
19.2°
S
19.4°
O
18.8°
N
17.6°
Praia da Arrifana
#34 in August
19.2°C
Portugal flagAljezur, Algarve, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.0°
J
18.7°
A
19.2°
S
19.4°
O
18.8°
N
17.6°
Praia da Comporta
#36 in August
18.9°C
Portugal flagComporta, Alentejo, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.0°
J
18.5°
A
18.9°
S
18.9°
O
18.3°
N
17.2°
Praia dos Galapinhos
#37 in August
18.9°C
Portugal flagArrábida, Setúbal, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
18.0°
J
18.5°
A
18.9°
S
18.9°
O
18.3°
N
17.2°
Praia do Guincho
#38 in August
18.7°C
Portugal flagCascais, Lisbon Coast, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.4°
J
17.7°
J
18.3°
A
18.7°
S
18.8°
O
18.3°
N
17.2°
Praia da Adraga
#39 in August
18.7°C
Portugal flagSintra, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.1°
J
17.5°
J
18.3°
A
18.7°
S
18.7°
O
18.1°
N
17.0°
Praia do Baleal
#40 in August
18.6°C
Portugal flagBaleal, Peniche, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.0°
J
17.5°
J
18.2°
A
18.6°
S
18.6°
O
17.8°
N
16.7°
Praia do Supertubos
#41 in August
18.6°C
Portugal flagPeniche, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.0°
J
17.5°
J
18.2°
A
18.6°
S
18.6°
O
17.8°
N
16.7°
Praia de Moledo
#42 in August
18.5°C
Portugal flagMinho (Caminha), Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.8°
J
17.2°
J
18.1°
A
18.5°
S
17.9°
O
16.8°
N
15.4°
Praia da Costa Nova
#43 in August
18.5°C
Portugal flagAveiro / Central Coast, Portugal
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.8°
J
17.2°
J
18.1°
A
18.5°
S
17.9°
O
16.8°
N
15.4°
Praia de Miramar
#44 in August
17.3°C
Portugal flagVila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.5°
J
16.7°
J
17.1°
A
17.3°
S
17.4°
O
16.6°
N
15.5°

Explore Sea Temperatures by Country

Spain(23.7°C)Italy(25.9°C)Turkey(27.3°C)France(22.4°C)Greece(25.4°C)Cyprus(27.7°C)Croatia(25.2°C)Albania(25.5°C)Montenegro(25.7°C)Malta(26.7°C)Bulgaria(25.1°C)Romania(24.7°C)Slovenia(25.4°C)Portugal(20.7°C)Poland(19°C)Sweden(18.3°C)Netherlands(18.5°C)Bosnia & Herzegovina(25.2°C)Monaco(24.6°C)Latvia(18.5°C)Estonia(18°C)Lithuania(18.8°C)Germany(18.6°C)Denmark(18°C)Norway(15.3°C)Belgium(18.7°C)Faroe Islands(10.9°C)United Kingdom(16.1°C)Ireland(15.9°C)Iceland(10.9°C)Finland(16.6°C)