Vilamoura / Algarve / Portugal

Vilamoura is a destination on the Algarve coast for jetsetters, who are drawn to its marina, several golfcourses, various sports facilities, shopping and casino. Many consider Vilamoura a mini Vegas on the water. There are well preserved Roman ruins, a noteworthy museum and art galleries. Kitesurfing and sailing are popular sports here; windsurfing is less so. It is a 15-minute car ride from Faro and 2.5 hours south of Lisbon. The weather is mild year long with rain in January and February and summer temperatures averaging around 28°C (82°F) and around 15 (59°F) in winter.

Vilamoura has a long soft, sandy beach, which faces the Atlantic Ocean. The spacious beach is spotless and everyone is encouraged to keep it that way. It is protected by a breakwater and as the beach is never crowded, a beach launch is possible. Low tide reveals some submerged rocks.

A wet suit is required from September to March. The northerly Nortada is weak here while the dominant winds blow east, southwest and northwest. The best conditions are created by the east and southwest winds which have speeds between 3-5 bft. Winds blow in the afternoon side-onshore and are most constant between July-September. They are much more irregular in the other months. Waves are flat with a little chop. A cold water temperature of 15°C (59°F) in winter makes a long wetsuit a necessity; it warms up to around 19°C (66°F) in summer.

The resort life revolves around Vilamoura's huge marina, which provides mooring, as well as all amenities - showers, laundry, shops, and restaurants. The waterfront has a very lively nightlife with bars, discos, clubs, and live performances. All forms of accommodations are available, including large international resort hotels, villas, cottages and self-catering apartments for cheap beach holidays.

Kitesurfing schools offer lessons with equipment for all levels; instructors communicate via walkie-talkies. Off the board or sailing vessel, there is also lots of fun to be had both in the water or on land: there are motorboat rental facilities, companies offering guided boat tours of the nearby caves, paragliding, carting, golf, tennis and every other resort attraction imaginable. Families with children (or those of us who never really grew up) will surely appreciate spending a day in one of the adjacent water parks.

The most convenient airport for reaching Vilamoura is Faro, just over 20 kilometers away down the coast. There are taxi transfers, as well as shuttle bus services available. The nearest train station is Loulé, about 5 kilometers away from the beach. If arriving by car, take exit 12 off the Via Infante de Sagres highway (A22/E1) towards Quarteira.

There is a medical facility on the beach and lifeguards on the watch. Submerged rocks are only visible at low tide.