Category: Nature > Beach
District: Faro > Vila Real de Santo António > Vila Nova de Cacela > Manta Rota
Manta Rota Beach is located on the coastal area of the same name, within the town of Vila Nova de Cacela, municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, in the eastern Algarve.
It is situated at the eastern end of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, marking a landscape transition in this part of the coast, with the Manta Rota urban area directly behind the sandy expanse.
One of the distinctive features of Manta Rota Beach is the vast expanse of its sands. It is notably long and quite wide, especially at low tide, which ensures ample space for visitors, even on busier days.
The sand is fine and golden in color, inviting long strolls along the shoreline for over a kilometer of its length.
The waters bathing Manta Rota Beach are generally calm and shallow. This characteristic makes the bathing experience very safe and pleasant for many visitors, particularly for those seeking tranquil waters.
It is common for the water temperature here to be slightly higher than at beaches located further west along the Algarve coast.
Behind the sandy area, there is a well-preserved dune system, with its natural vegetation typical of these coastal zones. This dune cordon contributes to the natural beauty of the beach's surrounding landscape.
To protect this fragile ecosystem and facilitate beach access, elevated walkways have been built across the dunes, allowing visitors to pass without stepping on the vegetation and sand.
Manta Rota Beach is highly sought after and frequented, creating a vibrant atmosphere, especially during the bathing season. Despite its popularity, its vast expanse allows visitors to find quieter areas by moving away from the main entrances.
Walking west, towards the Ria Formosa, the atmosphere gradually becomes more serene, reaching an area where naturism is practiced. The beach is recognized for its cleanliness, frequently displaying the Blue Flag as a symbol of quality.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.1630167,-7.5187898
Coordinates DMS: 37°09'46.9"N 07°31'7.6"W