Praia do Carvalhal, Atlantic sand beach in Carvalhal, Portugal
Praia do Carvalhal is an Atlantic sand beach stretching about 1.4 kilometers, with long wooden walkways that lead from parking areas through preserved natural dunes to the sand. These dune sections remain intact and create a natural transition zone between the parking area and the shoreline.
The beach developed alongside traditional rice cultivation in nearby fields, which has shaped the agricultural landscape here since the 1940s. This connection between beach and farming shows how the area was long defined by its agricultural rhythms.
Local fishermen use the beach to launch their boats directly into the water, showing how fishing remains a central part of daily life here across generations. You can see this activity especially in the early morning hours when the boats are prepared.
During the summer months from mid-June to mid-September, monitored swimming areas and separate zones for water sports are available. The beach is easy to access, and the wooden walkways make it simple to walk across the dunes to the shoreline.
Two natural lagoons called Lagoa Formosa and Lagoa Travessa border the beach and provide nesting sites for several bird species. Visitors often see birds moving between the beach and the quieter lagoon waters.
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