Furadouro beach, Atlantic beach in Ovar, Portugal.
Furadouro is a beach on the Atlantic coast north of Porto where golden sand stretches for about 1 km along the shoreline. The beach borders a system of protected dunes that form part of the Cortegaça Coastal Unit, a designated conservation area in the Costa de Prata region.
The beach received its first Blue Flag certification in 1987 for maintaining high water quality standards, marking an important recognition of its environmental care. This achievement began a commitment to sustaining clean conditions that continues through regular monitoring and upkeep to the present day.
Fishing remains a visible part of daily life here, with local boats and equipment scattered along the shore reflecting the community's long bond with the sea. You can observe how people continue to work with the water as their ancestors did, keeping these maritime traditions alive in their everyday routines.
Two parking areas are located near the northern dunes for easy beach access. Lifeguard services are available from mid-June through mid-September, though swimming is possible outside these months with more caution needed.
The northern dunes are part of a larger protected coastal system that acts as a natural buffer between the ocean and inland areas. These dunes host specialized plant species adapted to salt spray and wind exposure, creating a distinct landscape you will not find further south along the coast.
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