Beaches monitored by lifeguards
It’s officially beach season in the tourist hotspot of Albufeira. A ceremony to celebrate the occasion was held at the town’s popular Pescadores beach on Friday morning (May 13).
Albufeira is the only borough in the Algarve to start the beach season earlier – this is the period during which beaches classified as apt for bathing in Portugal are monitored by lifeguards. The rest of the region will only begin the beach season on June 1.
The event in Albufeira brought together representatives from several entities, such as the National Maritime Authority (AMN), GNR, Albufeira Lifeguards Association, Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters, the Algarve Hoteliers Association (AHETA) and local beach concessionaires. Also in attendance were students from two local schools.
The ceremony featured an initiative entitled ‘Saúde e Segurança na Praia’ (Health and Safety at the Beach), which aimed to raise awareness about the precautions beachgoers should take in terms of rockfalls, sun exposure, safety rules and beach rubbish. A sea rescue training exercise was also carried out.
“It is important to ensure all safety precautions when visiting the beach,” said Albufeira Mayor José Carlos Rolo at the ceremony, thanking lifeguards and the maritime police for their “tireless work” to keep beachgoers safe.
The mayor confirmed that all beaches in Albufeira are “prepared to ensure their safety” and felt optimistic that this beach season would be an “excellent” one.
The 26 Blue Flags awarded to Albufeira’s 25 beaches and marina were also highlighted by the mayor. These are accolades awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism businesses that follow a series of stringent criteria.
“Albufeira continues to be one of the boroughs with the largest number of Blue Flags, and also boasts Gold Status from Quercus (environmental association), which is proof that the municipality has invested greatly in the protection of our beaches,” said Rolo.
