Algarve snorkelling advice please

[Tonto Traveller]

Good morning all, we’re off on our two month annual trip beginning of September heading for the Algarve. It’ll be our first time travelling to Portugal and although I’ve been doing lots of research I’m struggling to find a nice campsite with a nearby beach/coves for good safe snorkelling. Ideally we’d like to stay in the Praia do Martinhal area for a while or somewhere similar. I’ll carry on researching but if any of you lovely people can steer me in a good direction or suggest your ideas for the perfect snorkelling spots within a scooters ride of a campsite ( anywhere in Portugal ) that would be great thank you.

 

[MattR]

I've no experience of it there but you may need a wet suit for snorkelling. It would be good to hear what the snorkelling is like there.

 

[Lynne Roy]

We were on the Algarve last October and the sea was so rough every day I didn’t even brave it for a swim, if you find anywhere can you let me know please.

Have a great trip x

 

[HandyAndy]

Get certified for scuba diving and forget the snorkelling. Much nicer underwater amongst the fishes and anenomies probably plenty of PADI 5 star IDC centres that would train you out there.

 

[2657]

There is an Orbitur site at Sagres and a possibly nicer site near Luz outside Lagos, Turiscampo.

I know nothing of snorkelling but there are lots coves and beaches in the area, have a look at Northernraider thread, some nice photo's of the coast between Lagos and Sagres.

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[teddybear]

Lots of surfing down near Sagres.They need waves , would that be suitable for snorkeling?

 

[Solwaybuggier]

There is an Orbitur site at Sagres and a possibly nicer site near Luz outside Lagos, Turiscampo.

I know nothing of snorkelling but there are lots coves and beaches in the area, have a look at Northernraider thread, some nice photo's of the coast between Lagos and Sagres.

Likewise I know nothing of snorkelling but can confirm Turiscampo is a good site - far more organised than most in Portugal.

There’s another possibility - just over the Algarve border, technically. Site is Sao Miguel, just north of Aljezur, which has an estuary and beautiful beaches. The Costa Vicentina, running down to the “corner” is beautiful and far less commercialised than most of the Algarve, but maybe better for surfers than snorkelling?

 

[Tonto Traveller]

We were on the Algarve last October and the sea was so rough every day I didn’t even brave it for a swim, if you find anywhere can you let me know please.

Have a great trip x

Thank you for Lynnroy, I suspected it may be a bit choppy !

 

[Tonto Traveller]

I've no experience of it there but you may need a wet suit for snorkelling. It would be good to hear what the snorkelling is like there.

Thank you for your reply Mattyjwr, yes mostly wear my wetsuit, fingers crossed I get to use it !

 

[Tonto Traveller]

Get certified for scuba diving and forget the snorkelling. Much nicer underwater amongst the fishes and anenomies probably plenty of PADI 5 star IDC centres that would train you out there.

Thank you Handy Andy, love snorkelling but not brave enough for the underwater experience ! ?

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[Tonto Traveller]

There is an Orbitur site at Sagres and a possibly nicer site near Luz outside Lagos, Turiscampo.

I know nothing of snorkelling but there are lots coves and beaches in the area, have a look at Northernraider thread, some nice photo's of the coast between Lagos and Sagres.

Thank you very much Matamoros, I’ll check out all that info.

 

[Tonto Traveller]

Lots of surfing down near Sagres.They need waves , would that be suitable for snorkeling?

I believe it is possible in certain areas but thank you anyway !

 

[Tonto Traveller]

Likewise I know nothing of snorkelling but can confirm Turiscampo is a good site - far more organised than most in Portugal.

There’s another possibility - just over the Algarve border, technically. Site is Sao Miguel, just north of Aljezur, which has an estuary and beautiful beaches. The Costa Vicentina, running down to the “corner” is beautiful and far less commercialised than most of the Algarve, but maybe better for surfers than snorkelling?

Thank you Solwaybuggier for your advice, it’s not looking too good but I’m ever hopeful !

 

[BreweryDave]

Best Beaches for Snorkeling in the Algarve

The Algarve is an excellent place for snorkelling with calm seas and a huge number of beaches. We review the best beaches and places for snorkelling for sea life and amazing scenery from the Algarve's famous cliffs and rock formations.

www.algarvefun.com

 

[bobandjanie]

We are on the west coast of northern Portugal, we have seen a couple of people snorkelling, and one dive boat.
The sea is very rough cold and lots of weed and we have seen no one swimming.
We like snorkelling but we are not tempted, we live on the Costa Blanca and Javea has loads of dive boats, and the snorkelling is good and the seas warmer and most of the time calm. Bob

Ps We was swimming in Albufeira in June but still cold and not good for snorkelling but direct access to the beach.

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[HandyAndy]

Thank you Handy Andy, love snorkelling but not brave enough for the underwater experience ! ?

Shame. ? it is THE best hobby I've ever got into. And boy have I had some hobbies ?
Please go for a "try dive" while out there and let them guide you, it is a wonderful experience.

 

[Figaro]

Please go for a "try dive" while out there and let them guide you, it is a wonderful experience.

Is scuba an expensive hobby to get into ?

 

[Tonto Traveller]

We are on the west coast of northern Portugal, we have seen a couple of people snorkelling, and one dive boat.
The sea is very rough cold and lots of weed and we have seen no one swimming.
We like snorkelling but we are not tempted, we live on the Costa Blanca and Javea has loads of dive boats, and the snorkelling is good and the seas warmer and most of the time calm. Bob

Ps We was swimming in Albufeira in June but still cold and not good for snorkelling but direct access to the beach.

That’s all very interesting if not a bit disappointing to hear but thank you all the same Bobandjanie

 

[Tonto Traveller]

Shame. ? it is THE best hobby I've ever got into. And boy have I had some hobbies ?
Please go for a "try dive" while out there and let them guide you, it is a wonderful experience. ❤

Thank you for your encouragement HandyAndy, I’ll think about it.......a lot ! ?

 

[Tonto Traveller]

Best Beaches for Snorkeling in the Algarve

The Algarve is an excellent place for snorkelling with calm seas and a huge number of beaches. We review the best beaches and places for snorkelling for sea life and amazing scenery from the Algarve's famous cliffs and rock formations.

www.algarvefun.com

Thanks BreweryDave, I have seen this site and many others but it’s trying to find a good/nice nearby campsite that’s the problem. Your help is much appreciated all the same.

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[Figaro]

Looks like Portugal isn't the ideal snorkeling destination unfortunately, but if you ever find yourself in Croatia............
Superb snorkeling opportunities there

 

[Bonkers the Dog]

YES!

Is scuba an expensive hobby to get into ?

 

[Figaro]

Thought so !

 

[Bonkers the Dog]

Although the caveat to that is, if you're going to do it, do it. There is plenty of cheap, good quality gear on EBAY and other specific forums and the club route is the "budget" way of achieving. It is no more expensive then any other hobby/sport or past time that is tech-heavy or equipment intense.

 

[HandyAndy]

Is scuba an expensive hobby to get into ?

To learn safely I suppose you could say yes but once you've learnt, not really, you don't have to buy your own gear if you dont want to, most places will supply it if you are booking with them ( they usually offer package prices with and without gear.)
It is one hobby thats literally taken me round the world so holidays do tend to get expensive but you don't have to go to the poshest resorts just to go diving.

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[Tonto Traveller]

Looks like Portugal isn't the ideal snorkeling destination unfortunately, but if you ever find yourself in Croatia............
Superb snorkeling opportunities there

Thank you Figaro, that’s good to hear....Croatia is where we’re off to next year.

 

[Ven]

Although we are not snorklers (is that a word?) there were a lot of people snorkeling in the Obidas lagoon at Foz do Arelho. I guess being the Atlantic coast the actual sea might be a bit rough for snorkeling.

Although not in the Algarve it would be a nice stop on your way there or back weather permitting. There’s a Aire right next to it €4 a night or €6.50 with electric (although these are limited).

Here’s a couple of pics:

 

[teddybear]

The last couple of of times we were at Fox de Arelho they had the dredgers working which made the water cloudy. But, agree a lovely place

 

[Tonto Traveller]

Although we are not snorklers (is that a word?) there were a lot of people snorkeling in the Obidas lagoon at Foz do Arelho. I guess being the Atlantic coast the actual sea might be a bit rough for snorkeling.

Although not in the Algarve it would be a nice stop on your way there or back weather permitting. There’s a Aire right next to it €4 a night or €6.50 with electric (although these are limited).

Here’s a couple of pics:

View attachment 327581View attachment 327582

Thanks for that Ven, we’ll check it out ?

 

[Tonto Traveller]

The last couple of of times we were at Fox de Arelho they had the dredgers working which made the water cloudy. But, agree a lovely place

Thanks Teddybear, interesting.

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