Praia da Ilha de Tavira
Island beach
Praia da Ilha de Tavira occupies the ocean-facing shore of Ilha de Tavira, one of the barrier islands that form the outer edge of the Ria Formosa lagoon system in the eastern Algarve. The beach is reached by a short ferry crossing from the town of Tavira, either from the Quatro Aguas jetty near the old tuna fishing station or from the town centre via a separate service. The crossing takes between ten and fifteen minutes depending on the route and is itself a pleasant experience, passing through the calm, shallow waters of the lagoon with views of the salt marshes and their abundant birdlife.
The beach is extensive, running for several kilometres along the seaward side of the island. The section nearest the ferry terminal has full facilities and can be busy in summer, with sunbed hire, beach bars and a lively atmosphere, but walking east or west along the sand quickly reaches quieter stretches where the only company is the occasional fisher or fellow walker. The far western end of the island has traditionally been used as a naturist beach, one of the few officially recognised ones in the Algarve, and is signposted accordingly. The sand is fine and pale, the water warm and generally calm, with a sandy seabed and a gentle slope that makes it safe for children.
The Ria Formosa is one of the most important wetland habitats in southern Europe, a protected natural park that stretches for 60 kilometres along the eastern Algarve coast and supports a rich diversity of birdlife including flamingos, spoonbills, avocets, terns and a variety of waders. The landward side of the island, facing the lagoon, is a landscape of salt marsh, mudflats and shallow channels quite different from the open beach on the ocean side. Walking across the island from the ferry to the beach, visitors pass through low dune vegetation, scrub and patches of maritime pine.
The old tuna fishing complex at the Quatro Aguas end of the island has been partially converted into a beach facility with restaurants and a bar, and its buildings and courtyards retain an atmospheric quality that speaks of the industry's former importance. Tuna fishing was a major economic activity in this part of the Algarve until the mid-twentieth century, and the fixed trap systems, known as armacoes, were positioned offshore from the island to intercept the seasonal migration of bluefin tuna.
Tavira itself is one of the most attractive towns in the eastern Algarve, with its Roman bridge spanning the Gilao river, its many churches, its quiet riverside streets and its covered market. The combination of the town and the island beach makes for a rewarding day out that divides naturally between culture and coast. The ferry service runs frequently in summer but is reduced outside the main season, and the last boat back should be checked in advance to avoid being stranded. The beach has lifeguard cover, a restaurant and basic facilities near the ferry landing, but the further sections are entirely natural and undeveloped.