Praia da Foz, Atlantic beach at Ericeira, Portugal
Praia da Foz is a sand beach near Ericeira where the Lizandro River meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating a wide, sheltered shoreline with wooden decks and pathways. The beach includes changing facilities, showers, toilets, and equipment rental stations for water sports and surfing lessons.
The site developed as a fishing area at a river mouth where local communities harvested the sea for generations. Its significance shifted dramatically when the Ericeira region received recognition as a world-class surfing destination, transforming the economy and daily use of the shore.
The beach serves as a gathering point for surfers and families, with daily lessons and practice sessions drawing people who want to learn or improve their skills. This regular activity has shaped how locals and visitors experience and use the space throughout the year.
The beach has seasonal lifeguard coverage and first aid stations placed at main access points. Checking the tide times is useful since low tide creates shallow areas that are good for walking, while high tide brings different water conditions for swimming and surfing.
When the tide goes out, shallow pools form where the river meets the ocean, creating a natural lagoon that visitors can explore and play in without swimming. This landscape shifts constantly as waves and tides reshape the sand and water patterns each day.
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