Category: Nature > Beach
District: Lisboa > Mafra > Santo Isidoro > Ribamar
Praia Cavalinho is located on the coastal area of Ribamar, which is part of the town of Santo Isidoro, in the municipality of Mafra. This small cove is nestled within a natural setting, offering a direct view of the vast Atlantic Ocean.
The main attraction of Praia Cavalinho lies in its characteristic natural formations. A basaltic rock promontory protects a small sandy area, forming natural pools of clear waters. These basins, which vary in depth according to the tide, invite observation of the marine life that inhabits them, such as small sargos (sea bream), robalos (sea bass), or even octopuses, although their presence is less abundant today. When the tide is low, the maximum depth of the pools reaches about two meters, and it is possible to observe algae that are submerged at high tide.
Praia Cavalinho stands out for its small size, offering an intimate and sheltered environment. The location is protected, contributing to a mild climate. This feature allows visitors to enjoy the sandy area until later, especially during the summer months when daylight hours are extended. However, due to its limited size, the beach can only accommodate a small number of people, and at high tide, the sandy space becomes very restricted, forming small islands.
Access to Praia Cavalinho is via trails on the cliffs, a path that requires some caution. It is essential to use appropriate footwear that offers good grip, given the incline and the possible presence of loose soil or stones on the path. Although the nature of the location can lead to rock and soil detachments, the access paths are generally subject to intervention to ensure their passability. Attention and caution during the descent are always advisable.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.9936084,-9.4245725
Coordinates DMS: 38°59'37.0"N 09°25'28.5"W