Cabanas beaches

Many Algarve beaches are now classified as 'Accessible Beaches' meaning that not only do they provide ramps, footpaths and walkways directly to the sand but also meet certain criteria for restaurant tables, bar and counter heights. They also have first aid posts and disabled toilets and should be equipped with wheelchairs, walking aids and other equipment capable of being used in the sea as well as on the beach. We include which beaches have been awarded the 'Accessible Beach' flag , although depending on individual abilities you may just want to know that you can park nearby or that there are no steps involved.

We also indicate which beaches have lifeguards during the season (normally April to the end of September) and as a reminder for you: a green flag - swimming permitted; yellow flag - swimming forbidden; red flag - swimming and entering the water forbidden; blue and white chequered flag - beach temporarily unattended.

Praia de Cabanas - Cabanas-Mar

The unspoilt island beach in Cabanas, Praia de Cabanas (or Cabanas-Mar or Ilha de Cabanas.) is 7 kilometres long boasting beautiful white sand and perfect tranquility for sunbathers. Boats to the island run throughout the day from April to October, with tickets costing as little as 60 cents per trip.

Praia de Cabanas has its own café-bar, showers and toilet facilities, sunshades to rent and water sports such as windsurfing, sailing and jet-skiing and is supervised during the 'beach season'.

Ilha de Tavira-Mar

The beach in Tavira is a 'sandspit' beach, separated from the mainland by the sea and has to be reached by a ferry boat or water taxi.

It is certainly worth doing as the Ilha is beautiful- it feels like being on your own tropical island! You can either hire a water taxi from Cabanas to go direct to the ilha or go to Tavira and follow the signs for Ilha de Tavira. You will arrive at Quatro Águas where you can leave your car in one of the car parks and head for the jetty where a ferry will either be waiting or you can see it on its way back from the Ilha- you won't have long to wait!

The ferries run constantly and in summer time carry on until midnight or so (although water taxis are available when the ferries aren't running). A ferry ticket to the Ilha is less than 2€ - don't throw your ticket away- it's a return! ('Ida e volta').

Ilha de Tavira is about 14km long and stretches nearly all the way to Fuzeta. On the ilha there are a variety of restaurants, beach bars, a campsite, 'multibanco' (cash point) and some houses nestling under the pine trees. All of this is within a very short walk of the landing point - the rest is a glorious stretch of white sand as far as the eye can see and of course, the sea! It really is perfect for a totally relaxing day, and it is easy to see why it is thought of as one of the best beaches on the Algarve.

We did see people taking bicycles across on the ferry, so if you want to explore a little further why not hire a bicycle in Tavira and tour the ilha?

Aquataxis....

Aquataxis not only run to Tavira's Ilha, but to Tavira itself, Santa Luzia, Cabanas and they provide guided tours for up to 6 people.

The 'organised' beach where the restaurants and beach bars are is on the seaward side at the eastern end of the ilha - just across from where the ferry docks. This area is supervised and there are also various water sports available.

There is access to the middle of the ilha from Pedras D'el Rei, either by foot or on the tourist train that crosses the Ria Formosa to Praia do Barril. The beach here is classed as an 'Accessible Beach' and is supervised as well as having places to eat and drink.