BEACHES

The beach of Praia D'El Rey is 3kms long with beautiful high cliffs and a wide sandy beach.

The stretch of coastline offers a variety of different waves ideal for surfers, on certain days you can have magnificent walks along the crashing seafront, providing amazing views.

Access to the sand is from the cliffs beneath the Marriott hotel, once at the base of the cliff steps sunbathers can opt to relax in comfort with sun-loungers and fixed umbrellas(however at a cost). Unfortunately however the beach does not offer any other services and there are no bars/restaurants, so if you decide to unwind on the beach for the day pack accordingly. The beach in front of the hotel is patrolled and watched by life guards.

Baleal beach is a vibrant beach, close to Peniche. Baleal is a small island which was once separated from the continent, but however is now joined by a beach of fine white sand.

This is the favoured location for surf followers; the beach has a constant buzz. A variety of beach bars/shacks on the beach front offering basic food and watering. Other activities are available such as banana boat rides and ‘the doughnut’. The beach and surrounding area also has many places to hire equipment for surfing; and for beginners why not take some lessons from the highly qualified instructors at Peniche Surf Camp and experience the thrill of the Atlantic wave.

Baleal beach became an important summer resort with unique potential for water sports in the whole Europe. Due to its format of peninsula, Baleal and Peniche offer unique conditions in Europe for the practice of surfing and body-board. Schools for teaching all kinds of water-sports can be found in this area. The very famous beach of "Super Tubos" is the highlight of an area that provides all types of waves of great consistence all year long.

This perfect white sanded beach is also well kept and clean.
This is not to discourage swimmers, but a word of warning; the currents are very deceiving and swimmers can very easily be dragged out, caution must be used.

The beach at Foz, too has all of the qualities of the typical silver coast beach, soft white sand, rolling waves and beach bars; however Foz also has the benefit of the lagoon.

The beaches are situated north and south of Foz do Arelho; the mouth of the river Arelho make possible a good practice of surfing in the winter, when undulations come from northwest and the wind blows off-shore.

Foz do Arelho usually receives the surfers of Caldas da Rainha and Peniche when the swell is small. For people wanting to get involved with the water sports head to the Escola De Vela Da Lagoa; they cater for all experiences and hire out equipment.

Lagoa de Óbidos is the lagoon, which is the natural prolongation of Foz do Arelho. It is certainly a very pleasant spot, allowing the practice of windsurfing and other water sports. Here the swimmers with little practice can enter the water fearlessly not taking the risk of the power of the sea.

The peninsula of Peniche is shaped by very small and typical beaches. There are extensive beaches stretching to the south until the beach of "Consolação" and to the north until the peninsula of Baleal.

Cabo Carvoeiro, the cape with its rocky formations, the beaches, and the cliffs are some of the sites that make Peniche a great centre of tourism. Leisure activities range from water sports, as this is an important surfing zone, to boating and underwater fishing.

It is a marine reserve and has been classified by the Council of Europe as a "Biosphere Reserve".

The archipelago consists of a large island, Berlenga Grande, and some small granite islands and rocks (Estelas and Farilhões), which are situated some 7 miles off the headland of Cabo Carvoeiro to the north-west of Peniche. The island of Berlenga Grande can be seen from the mainland when there is no sea mist.

Here you will find endemic species of flora, as well as one of the preferred nesting sites for sea birds.

Built on a rock adjacent to the Berlenga island and connected to it by a small bridge, there stands the Forte de São João Baptista, a Manueline military fortress built in 1502. The island’s tiny beaches with their clear blue sea are very beautiful and ideal for swimming and diving.

Access to the island is by boat, with departures from Peniche harbour. It takes roughly 30 minutes to reach Berlenga Grande. You can return in the evening or spend the night at the fortress. There is also a restaurant on the island.