The mighty crash of the waves has a vibration that resonates through your body.
The gentle breeze rolls over the water’s surface like a perfect fluffy pillow.
The coarse sand sticks between your toes.
When you’re at the ocean, what do you feel? What moments linger in your memory and never seem to go away?
For me, it’s these moments: the melody of the waves, the feel of the breeze on my skin, and the touch of sand between my toes.
My love for the ocean seems to be recent. As a child, I had always enjoyed being in the water. Whether it was the pool, the lake, on a boat, or at the beach — my love affair with water never stopped.
In my 30s, I’ve come to recognize what the sea does for my heart and soul. It creates an ease of mindfulness and serenity. When I’m at the sea, life’s troubles fade away, and I’m reminded of Earth’s beauty.
When I return home, my heart again longs for the ocean.
Surfing at Praia da Bordeira
I have a new love for Portugal.
I’ve now visited this beautiful country three times, and my love for this country has grown stronger after seeing the majestic views of the Algarve. It’s at this peninsula, that the mighty Atlantic Ocean takes precedence.
The great Atlantic reminds us of its strength and beauty. Its role as a life giver and a life taker.
Praia da Bordeira is known as a surfer’s destination. It’s here that the steady roll of the ocean waves is somewhat consistent, the water is shallow, and the sea is predictable.
It was here that I tried surfing for the first time.
Surfing is incredibly demanding physically and mentally, and the ocean is humbling. As you fight against the waves, you must be present with your thoughts. You need to feel the sea, watch the waves, and feel her rhythm.
Honestly, I wasn’t very successful the first time I surfed. (But I became an expert knee surfer.)
What to do at Praia da Bordeira
This beautiful beach is about a 30 minute drive from Lagos.
It’s only accessible by car or possibly a tour. As it’s so rural, visiting this beach is like going to a national park. Take what you need with you. And leave nothing behind.
When you visit the beach, I suggest two activities.
- Take a surf lesson — I’m biased, but it was an amazing experience. I loved being at the beach all day in the waves, and it was this experience that brought me closer to the ocean. I took surf lessons with Tiny Whale, which I enjoyed immensely. The instructors were patient (with me) and very good at their craft.
- Hike the Pontal da Carrapateira Trail — The views along this trail are incredible. At the ocean, you can use various boardwalks and visit viewpoints. I walked this in about two hours, but the trail extends further.
On your visit to the Algarve, I recommend visiting this beach as a day trip. It was beautiful, and I’m happy that I was able to enjoy it not only once but three times in one week.
Happy traveling!
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