Meia Praia
Half Beach · Praia de Meia Praia · Lagos Beach Anchorage
37°06.4'N 08°36.8'W
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 3–5m on clean sand. Excellent holding throughout. The NE exposure means Nortada chop is an afternoon issue — comfortable overnight in summer when Nortada dies at sunset and SE breeze is light.
About This Anchorage
Meia Praia is one of the longest and most beautiful sandy beaches on the Algarve, stretching 4km east of Lagos town. The anchorage offers a quintessential Portuguese summer experience — brilliant white sand, turquoise water, beach bars, and easy Lagos access by dinghy. The sand bottom gives excellent holding. The key limitation is exposure to N/NE, which means the Nortada (building from noon) creates an uncomfortable chop; the anchorage is best used overnight (when the trade wind dies at sunset) or morning. Many visiting yachts base themselves at Lagos Marina and anchor here by day.
Protected From
S · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No specific restrictions. Respect beach swimming zones (flagged areas near beach bars). Kite surfer zones in the eastern section — keep clear of their corridors. Do not anchor in the channel approach to Ria de Alvor (eastern end of beach).
Hazards
- !Nortada afternoon chop — N/NE exposure means short, sharp waves build from noon; uncomfortable for those prone to seasickness
- !Kite surfers operate in the E section — maintain clear berth to avoid lines and boards
- !Shoal extends from Ponta da Piedade W — approach from S/SE to avoid rocks
- !Busy jet ski zone near beach access points in July–August
Skipper's Tips
- →Lagos Marina (2nm) is the safe overnight base — anchor at Meia Praia by day for the beach experience, then motor back before 15:00
- →The Nortada dies at sunset — if weather stable, staying overnight is comfortable as the wind swings SE by midnight
- →Dinghy landing is straightforward on the sandy beach — pull the dinghy up above the waterline or it will float away in the afternoon chop
- →Best anchorage position is off the western end near Lagos (less kite surfer traffic, closer provisions)
Facilities
Several beach bars and restaurants at the western end near Lagos. Full provisioning in Lagos town (2nm by dinghy to marina).
Nearest provisions: Lagos town centre / marina (2nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
June–September is prime season. July–August very busy with beach crowds but sand holding is unaffected. Best night anchorage when high-pressure systems bring calm nights. Avoid in any N or NE forecast — short steep chop builds very quickly.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
When Nortada builds overnight on the Algarve coast, Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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