Category: Nature > Beach
District: Aveiro > Ílhavo > Costa Nova > Gafanha da Encarnação
Praia Nova is located in the town of Costa Nova, within the area of Gafanha da Encarnação, in the municipality of Ílhavo. This is a coastal beach facing the vast Atlantic Ocean. Its position is distinctive, as it is situated next to the entrance of the Ria de Aveiro, where imposing structures, the jetties, mark the transition from the estuary to the open sea.
This beach is notable for its extensive sandy area, stretching for about 1.3 kilometers along the coastline. Along this stretch, a remarkable dune system can be observed, a natural strip of sand and vegetation that runs parallel to the beach. To protect this delicate environment and facilitate visitor access, there are wooden walkways that allow passage through the dune area without disturbing the vegetation, thus contributing to the preservation of the local ecosystem.
The waters at Praia Nova, given their direct exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, are typically rough and characterized by constant swells. This condition makes the beach particularly popular for water sports, such as surfing. The commitment to the environmental quality of Praia Nova is evidenced by the award of the Blue Flag, a European accolade that has recognized the excellence in environmental management and water quality of the beach since 1987.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.6104646,-8.7559228
Coordinates DMS: 40°36'37.7"N 08°45'21.3"W