Whale Bone Beach

Category: Nature > Beach

District: Leiria > Pombal > Carriço

Location and Natural Setting

Osso da Baleia Beach is located in Carriço, in the municipality of Pombal, and is part of the vast coastal strip of central Portugal, historically known as the Silver Coast. This location is characterized by an extensive sandy beach that blends harmoniously with a coastal dune system, maintaining an untouched and wild character, a result of minimal human intervention.

To the east, the landscape is bordered by the Pine Forest of Leiria, a vast maritime pine forest planted between the 15th and 16th centuries for a fundamental historical purpose: to supply timber for shipbuilding and, simultaneously, to help stabilize the coastal dunes, safeguarding the stability and natural beauty of the coastal surroundings.

The Peculiarity of the Name

The unique name of Osso da Baleia Beach comes from a local narrative passed down through time, dating back to the early 20th century. According to popular accounts, it was on this very beach that a large whale skeleton washed ashore, a remarkable event that gave the place its current name, uniquely embedding it in the collective memory of the community and its visitors.

Quality and Preservation

Since 2004, Osso da Baleia Beach has been annually awarded the Blue Flag, an international recognition that certifies its excellence in terms of environmental water quality, safety, and services offered to bathers. Additionally, since 2005, it has held the award of Accessible Beach, demonstrating a commitment to inclusion and the provision of infrastructures designed for people with reduced mobility, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this natural space during the bathing season.

The beauty and integrity of its natural environment are carefully preserved. To protect the delicate dune ecosystem and its associated vegetation, wooden boardwalks have been implemented to guide and facilitate pedestrian access to the extensive sandy beach, promoting a respectful and sustainable interaction with the surrounding landscape.

Nature Experiences

The vastness of the sandy beach, combined with its proximity to the Pine Forest of Leiria, invites discovery and tranquility, providing a deep connection with nature. It is a perfect place for long walks by the sea, where one can observe the characteristic fauna and flora of this coastal and forest ecosystem, in an atmosphere of serenity and vastness.

The beach's natural conditions are also favorable for various outdoor activities. It is a suitable setting for sport fishing, wave sports like bodyboarding and surfing, or for playing beach volleyball, always in a framework that encourages harmony with the natural environment and respect for the surrounding landscape.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt