Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on April 6, 2024
Praia do Quião beach, in A Ver-o-Mar, is a good option for observing the underwater life of Portugal’s west coast. Its shallow waters, consisting of a mix of rocks, sand and kelp, are inhabited by some fish and lots of starfish.
Praia do Quião is a small beach in A Ver-o-Mar, near Póvoa de Varzim. The snorkeling spot is just opposite the Praia do Mestre beach restaurant (Google Maps link here), where there’s ample parking.
Water entrance is from the beach. As this location is wave-exposed, snorkeling is possible only when the ocean is perfectly calm. If there is swell, or the water is simply rough, do not get in. With the water being cold in the Atlantic Ocean, wearing a wetsuit is recommended, even in summer.
Praia do Quião snorkeling area is bounded on the left and right by two rocky points, about 120 meters apart.
Only when the ocean is perfectly calm (absence of waves and currents), you can consider snorkeling outside the cove and exploring the rocks on the right and left.
Praia do Quião has a varied seabed. Depending on the area, you can explore rocky reliefs, stretches of sand, and kelp fields.
Depths vary from 2 to 6 feet/0.5 to 3 meters in the cove.
Praia do Quião’s marine life is typical of the shallows of the eastern Atlantic.
It includes several species of fish such as Seabass, Mullet and Seabream, as well as invertebrates such as the abundant Spiny starfish and Sea urchins.
The Praia do Mestre restaurant is just across the cove from the beach.
These spots are only recommended to good swimmers, in good physical conditions, and with excellent snorkeling skills. These spots can experience currents, moderate waves, important depths, tight or narrow passages, or tricky water entrance, and can be located near hazardous areas (channels, boat traffic, strong currents…). The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas can be important - up to 500 meters. The “advanced” category includes drift snorkeling (transported by currents) and snorkeling off the coast. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell.You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
