Location advise .. - Algarve/Portugal/Madeira/Azores Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

Location advise ..

sunflower40

2009-09-11 08:58:38

Hi there,

We are a family of five looking to go to the Algarve next August for 2 weeks. I found two villas on the Quinta da Balaia resort and was wondering whether this is a good base ? My two teenager sons love watersports incl surfing so we do love to be near the beach.

I'm getting very excited already about booking this holiday , the Algarve looks beautiful

Julie

Glynis HT Admin

2009-09-11 09:15:27

Re: Location advise ..

There's an old topic here but it does tell you distance http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99798&hilit=Quinta+da+Balaia

cubsur

2009-09-11 10:46:33

Re: Location advise ..

Best forewarn your sons there won't be surfing here in August, as the waves at this time of year are only about 6" high.

There are though all the usual water-borne activties, like paragliding and banana boats, from many of the beaches.

Glynis HT Admin

2009-09-11 11:13:10

Re: Location advise ..

Cubsur what about the waves in August at Carrapateira beach? (If the family are prepared to travel of course)

sunflower40

2009-09-11 11:32:55

Re: Location advise ..

They will be happy with the other sports and we will hire a car so don't mind taking a day trip up the coast searching for the perfect wave !!

doe

2009-09-13 09:22:38

Re: Location advise ..

I'm sure we stood up high and watched loads of surfers out west one year in late July :think

We were up in the Cape St Vincent area, and it looked like a true surfer scene, although we couldn't get down on the actual beach itself. We did join in buy going to a nearby surf shop and buying a few sufrer T shirts and tops for the kids lol.

cubsur

2009-09-13 11:55:51

Re: Location advise ..

I've not been out to Carrapateira in high summer, but earlier in the year the waves were certainly very high. That area is very popular with surfers and is maybe an hour's drive from Albufeira.

Generally, the further west you go the better the waves and the surfing scene generally. Or so I am told, as I have no ability whatsoever in the water!

jeanie

2009-09-13 13:18:25

Re: Location advise ..

stayed in a villa here 2 years ago.Its a very nice and quiet complex of villas and small blocks of apartments.
We were a family of 10 and had a fantastic time.
Its about 20mins walk to the strip and quite a hike to the beach which is santa elulaia I think.
Tiny shop on site and a small restaurant.there were also tennis courts,I think they give lessons there.
Another thing, the beaches were absolutely packed in august!

jeanie

sunflower40

2009-09-13 18:13:26

Re: Location advise ..

Thanks Jeanie,

I've been doing a little bit of searching and as you said am a little bit concerned about really packed beaches. We are used to going to North Devon , a lovely 3 mile very wide beach where even in the height of summer there is still lots of room. So I think i may shift my search west a little further up the coast, towards Lagos way ?? Its lovely going away but such hard work finding that perfect spot :think

Julie.

jeanie

2009-09-14 14:34:42

Re: Location advise ..

think you might be right in your decision.just come back from a villa holiday again with my children and grandchiildren.stayed in a villa just off the strip. walked down to praia da oura beach one day, it was heaving,couldn,t even find a spot to sit down without invading someone elses space
A few years ago just my husband and I whilst staying at albufeira drove to Cape St Vincent and then carried on around the cape,found some lovely deserted beaches which looked excellent for the activities you mentioned.
best of luck
jeanie

cubsur

2009-09-14 17:42:03

Re: Location advise ..

Suggestion that might help your choice

Go to

http://www.google.co.uk

Search 'images' for 'Praia da Carrapateira'

and wish you there.

sunflower40

2009-09-14 19:06:27

Re: Location advise ..

Thanks cubsur :tup

Thats more like it !!!

doe

2009-09-15 11:01:55

Re: Location advise ..

If you want the best of both worlds, ie beaches like carrapapateria, but lots of places to go eat and drink Lagos would be good for you. But you will need a car to get to the surf beaches, I'm not an expert but think that you need to know what you are doing to surf this area but you would need to take advice. I would imagine most teenagers was look on the surf scene as quite cool down there though whatever that means. :rofl

This link shows the beach to good effect.

http://www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/?G=monumentos.ver&artid=13846&distritoid=08

roseweb

2009-09-16 19:18:51

Re: Location advise ..

We are used to going to North Devon , a lovely 3 mile very wide beach where even in the height of summer there is still lots of room.

Hi Julie,

If you're talking about Woolacombe/Putsborough I know what you mean. It's one of our favourites.

Although the smaller coves and beaches do get packed in August in the Algarve, there are one or two very long beaches fairly close to Albufeira which don't get crowded. Have a look at this beach guide and in particular Praia da Gale (east) and Praia dos Salgados, both to the west of Albufeira, and also Praia da Falesia, which is between Albufeira and Vilamoura. However, I don't suppose the waves will be big enough to surf in August!

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