Category: Nature > Beach
District: Faro > Tavira > Vila Nova de Cacela
Praia da Caiana is located in Ria Formosa, in Vila Nova de Cacela, municipality of Tavira. It is surrounded by a landscape of salt marshes and salt pans, with views of dunes and tidal channels that extend to the Atlantic.
In this area, the sea remains almost always calm, forming temporary lagoons when the tide recedes, giving it a river beach atmosphere.
With clear waters and mild temperatures, this beach offers a serene setting, punctuated by the coming and going of seabirds. Sandbanks emerge during low tide, revealing small havens of white sand.
It is common to observe crabs emerging from the salt marshes and flamingos feeding in the wetlands, making this location an excellent point for ornithological observation.
The context of calm waters invites the practice of paddleboarding and kayaking, allowing for the exploration of more sheltered corners of the estuary. Artisanal fishing, particularly the harvesting of razor clams during low tide, is part of the local tradition.
When the tide is low, it is possible to cross the sandy bar to discover less accessible areas, ideal for observing the autochthonous flora and fauna.
The toponym Caiana dates back to ancient designations linked to salt pans, the exploitation of which shaped the regional economy. The relationship between local communities and the estuary remains alive through subsistence fishing.
The surroundings preserve vestiges of ancient salt pan channels and windmills, historical testimonies of the traditional salt exploitation in Ria Formosa.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.14848855349565,-7.5697767265556415
Coordinates DMS: 37°08'54.6"N 07°34'11.2"W