Why is the sea so cold in the Algarve?

The Portuguese coastline – along with the coastlines of California, South Africa, Western Australia and Peru – is subject to a phenomenon known as upwelling. In simple terms, if the wind blows parallel to the coast, then water from the bottom of the ocean (cold and rich in nutrients) rises and comes to the shoreline.



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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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The graph below shows the range of monthly Lisbon water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. The warmest water temperature is in September with an average around 67.8°F / 19.9°C. The coldest month is March with an average water temperature of 59°F / 15.0°C.

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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.

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Portugal's beaches are beautiful, yes–but due to being set on the Atlantic, the water is actually much colder than many visitors might expect (yes, even in the Algarve). What is this? Spain's long Mediterranean coast, on the other hand, tends to offer much warmer water and a longer swimming season.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Praia da Dona Ana, near Lagos in the Algarve, is a stunning beach renowned for its clear waters and striking cliffs.

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8 of the best places to visit in the Algarve
  1. Sagres. Best surf in the Algarve. ...
  2. Faro. Best place to visit for history. ...
  3. Carvoeiro. Best place for families with kids. ...
  4. Silves. Best for inland exploring. ...
  5. Tavira. Best for culture, wine and music. ...
  6. Lagos. Best for dining and nightlife. ...
  7. Carrapateira. Best for wild beauty. ...
  8. Galé


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Although no complete set of records exist, the warmest sea surface temperature is currently thought to be 37.6C (99.7F) recorded in Kuwait Bay in the Persian Gulf.

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Portugal has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you enjoy hot perfect sunny days the best time to visit Portugal is between June and August. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 30 C and an average low of 22 C.

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April to May and September to October are the times to enjoy outdoor adventures. The spring months from April to May and the autumn months from mid-September to October are the best times to visit if you're interested in hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and other land-based activities.

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Temperatures also drop both day (17C) and night (8C), so do remember to bring some warm clothes for the cooler nights. Given the change in climate, Albufeira is not a winter sun/beach destination.

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