Praia da Coelha
Tucked between Praia de São Rafael and Praia da Galé, 6 km west of Albufeira, Praia da Coelha is a compact, golden-sand cove framed by eroded sandstone arches and sea caves that most package tourists never find. The water is clear enough to snorkel straight from the beach, and the single beach bar serves ice-cold Sagres and decent prego sandwiches.
Getting There and What to Expect
The beach sits at the bottom of a short but steep footpath from a small clifftop car park off the EN595 road — about a 10-minute drive west of Albufeira centre. The descent takes five minutes on foot and the relative effort keeps the crowds thin even in August.
The cove faces south-southwest, meaning it catches afternoon sun until the last moment. The sea here is calmer than the main Albufeira beaches thanks to the protective headlands on either side, making it ideal for families with young children or anyone who wants to float peacefully rather than fight surf.
Snorkelling and Sea Caves
The rock formations at both ends of the beach are riddled with small caves and gullies that shelter wrasse, sea urchins and the occasional octopus. A basic snorkel mask is all you need — the visibility regularly exceeds 8 metres in summer.
At low tide you can wade around the western headland to a second, even smaller cove that is almost always deserted. Check tide times before you go; the passage closes at mid-tide.
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