Category: Nature > River Beach
District: Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Carreço
Praia do Canto Marinho is located in Carreço, in the municipality of Viana do Castelo, in the Minho region. This coastal area is characterized by its position between the Serra de Santa Luzia, to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean, to the west, offering a vast and diverse natural setting.
The site is set within a landscape where the coast meets agricultural fields and the nearby mountains, creating a scene that harmonizes the terrestrial green with the blue of the sea.
Praia do Canto Marinho features an extensive sandy beach, bordered by a significant dune cord. It is distinguished by its rock formations, which become more evident during low tide. At these times, small natural pools form among the rocks, providing tranquil areas for bathing.
The overall environment of the site is preserved and little altered by human intervention, which contributes to an atmosphere of quietude and nature observation. This characteristic gives the beach a distinct and serene character.
This beach is a site of geological and archaeological interest. It is recognized as a Local Natural Monument, featuring traces that tell the Earth's history over the last two million years, corresponding to the Quaternary period of the Cenozoic era. The landscape is marked by a fossil cliff and an extensive marine erosion platform, with terraces that bear witness to ancient sea levels.
Alongside these natural elements, there are signs of human action dating back to the Castro culture. One can observe ancient salt pans, camboas, and coastal defense structures, which reveal ancestral knowledge about coexisting with the coastal environment. Among the rock formations, highlights include rounded granite blocks, an example of a geological process of magma migration, and the presence of minerals such as garnet and staurolite, which are particular to this part of the Viana coastline.
Praia do Canto Marinho offers a natural setting where beaches, dunes, and low-lying cliffs follow one another, accompanied by the rhythm of the waves and the contrast of colors between the blue of the sea, the green of the fields, and the hue of the mountains. This natural balance provides a space for observing local flora and fauna.
The concern for the conservation of this natural and cultural heritage is evident. The beach was awarded the "Praia com Qualidade de Ouro" (Golden Quality Beach) by Quercus, an environmental protection association, recognizing its environmental and preservation characteristics. For a better experience and observation of its geological particularities, visiting the site at low tide and with calm seas can be advantageous.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.7321873,-8.8722042
Coordinates DMS: 41°43'55.9"N 08°52'19.9"W
Weather Carreço
On-duty Pharmacy Carreço
