In the Algarve, the sea is typically warmer compared to the rest of Portugal, but even there, strong winds and currents bring cold water from deeper parts of the Ocean to the surface, resulting in cooler temperatures.
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Sea water temperature and qualityIn general, the sea water temperature in the Algarve is warmer in the east than in the west. The further you go towards the west, the colder the water gets.
The ocean currents can be strong and unpredictable. If you plan on swimming, go to beaches with lifeguards and pay attention to the warning flags – green means it's safe to swim, yellow means use caution and stay near the shore, and red means do not enter.
If you are looking for a beach holiday, then the Algarve is the perfection destination. You can swim in the ocean comfortably from March until October. And in the winter months, you can take long refreshing beach walks.
The warmest part of the Algarve is the eastern Algarve. The more west you travel, the colder and windier it usually gets, especially ones you go around the corner at Sagres. I would recommend staying anywhere in between the Spanish boarder and Salema.
Both countries have Mediterranean climates, meaning they are generally temperate, with warm summers and mild winters. In Portugal, the average temperature in Lisbon is 24°C in July and 11°C in January, and in Spain the average temperature in Barcelona is around the same: 24°C in August and 10°C in January.
Algarve is the hottest region of Portugal, with the exception of Madeira Island (an archipelago of Portugal). In the Alentejo region the average temperatures are around 16ºC (depending on if you are on the coast or in the interior) and in the Algarve region 18ºC.
The graph below shows the range of monthly Albufeira water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. The warmest water temperature is in September with an average around 70°F / 21.1°C.The coldest month is March with an average water temperature of 60.6°F / 15.9°C.
The high season – June to August – is the best time for the beach. During the summer months, you'll find warmer ocean temperatures, especially as you head south to the Algarve. Water temps and crowds alike peak in July and August, so plan on sharing those pretty beaches with plenty of other sunseekers.
The Algarve is one of the sunniest regions of Europe. With a warm climate and over 300 days of sunshine a year, you can enjoy a great holiday throughout the year. If you are looking for a beach holiday, then the Algarve is the perfection destination. You can swim in the ocean comfortably from March until October.
January WeatherOn days when the sun shines, this can rise from 17°C to 20°C. January is the coldest month in the Algarve, but compared to the cold winter months here in the Netherlands, the temperatures are still very mild.
The 1755 tsunami was not an unprecedented event. In fact, there are references to tsunamis caused by other earthquakes which hit the Algarve. A few years earlier, in December 27th, 1722, there was also a tsunami although its effects were only felt locally (SOUSA, 1915).