Tavira Beaches

Tavira beaches are island beaches (“ilhas”), so they are only accessible by boat, but both Ilha de Tavira-Mar and Ilha de Cabanas-Mar are well worth the few euros and the lovely trip!

A general note about Algarve beaches, accessibility and safety

Many Algarve beaches are now classified as ‘Accessible Beaches’ meaning that not only do they provide ramps, footpaths and walkways directly to the sand but also meet certain criteria for restaurant tables, bar and counter heights. They also have first aid posts and disabled toilets and should be equipped with wheelchairs, walking aids and other equipment capable of being used in the sea as well as on the beach. So if you see the ‘Accessible Beach’ flag it means the beach is for everyone!

As a reminder about safety on our Algarve beaches, these are the flags that you will see depending on conditions: a green flag – swimming permitted; yellow flag – swimming forbidden; red flag – swimming and entering the water forbidden; blue and white chequered flag – beach temporarily unattended.

Ilha de Tavira-Mar

The beach in Tavira is a ‘sandspit’ beach, separated from the mainland by the sea and has to be reached by a ferry boat or water taxi.

It is certainly worth doing as the Ilha is beautiful- it feels like being on your own tropical island! During the main summer months (June to mid September) the ferry starts from the quayside in town close to the fish market but it runs all year round from Quatro Águas which is about 1.5kms out of Tavira – follow the signs for Ilha de Tavira. There is plenty of car parking (some paying) although it does get rather chaotic in summer. An alternative is to use the tourist train to Quatro Águas which runs every hour.

The ferries run constantly and in summer time carry on until midnight or so (although water taxis are available when the ferries aren’t running). The cost of a ride to the Ilha on the ferry is just a couple of euros per person return (‘Ida e volta’ in Portuguese). The water taxis are for up to 6 people and the cost is around 20€ per journey.

Ilha de Tavira is about 14km long & stretches nearly all the way to Fuzeta. On the ilha there are a variety of restaurants, beach bars, a campsite, mini-mercado, ‘multibanco’ (cash point), & some houses nestling under the pine trees. All of this is within a very short walk of the landing point- the rest is a glorious stretch of white sand as far as the eye can see and of course, the sea! It really is perfect for a totally relaxing day, and it is easy to see why it is thought of as one of the best beaches on the Algarve.

The ‘organised’ beach where the restaurants and beach bars are is on the seaward side at the eastern end of the ilha – just across from where the ferry docks. This area is supervised and there are also various water sports available. A sunshade and 2 sunbeds costs around 10€ per day and bar service is available at no extra charge, there is even free Wi-fi and free internet.

There is access to the middle of the ilha from Pedras D’el Rei, either by foot or on the tourist train that crosses the Ria Formosa to Praia do Barril. The tourist train operates October to April from 09.00 to 19.00 and from May to September from 08.00 to 19.00.

The beach here is classed as an ‘Accessible Beach’ and is supervised as well as having places to eat and drink.

Ilha de Cabanas-Mar

The unspoilt island beach in Cabanas, Ilha de Cabanas-Mar (or ‘Praia de Cabanas’ or ‘Ilha de Cabanas’..or simply, ‘Cabanas Beach’!) is 7 kilometres long boasting beautiful white sand and perfect tranquility for sunbathers. Boats to the island run from throughout the day from April to October, tickets costing as little as €1 euro return per person.

Ilha de Cabanas-Mar has its own café-bar, showers and toilet facilities, sunshades to rent and water sports such as windsurfing, sailing and jet-skiing. It is a supervised beach during the season.