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Accommodation nearby

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Praia dos Estudantes is a beautiful small beach next to the city center of Lagos. The snorkeling here is not as good as the nearby Praia do Camilo but the water is usually still making it an easy place to practice for newbies. Below the surface of the ocean, you will spot several species of seabream, wrasse and mullets swimming around rocks covered with mussels.

School of seabream at Praia dos Estudantes
A school of juvenile sargo noted in the rocky areas.

How to get to Praia dos Estudantes snorkeling spot?

Praia dos Estudantes is located next to the city center of Lagos, at walking distance from most of the city’s neighborhoods. If you come by car, the free beach can be accessed from the nearby main road without restrictions. Parking is available near the beach, in front of Mar Restaurante & Bar.

Praia dos Estudantes snorkeling map, Lagos

Water entrance for snorkeling Praia dos Estudantes

This spot is good for snorkeling both on low and high tide.  You can enter the water from anywhere on the beach, as the seabed is sandy and free of dangers.

Usual precautions are to be taken, although the beach is protected by rocky areas making it sheltered compared with many other ones around the Ponta da Piedade peninsula, beware of currents and waves if the sea becomes too rough.

Praia dos Estudantes snorkeling exploration tips

The seabed is sandy and of poor interest with the exception of some sporadic rocks covered with mussels. It is around the rocky areas that you will find more fish but still in lower numbers compared to the nearby Praia do Camilo.

Some rocks are covered with mussels.

You will have the chance to spot seabream, seabass and sargo which are popular in this area. Occasionally you will also spot sergeants but do not expect big schools of these kinds. The underwater rock formations are also very interesting and are the strong point of this snorkeling spot.

Mullet
Mullets are easy to spot at this location.

The water is usually cold and chilly also in the summer months, with a small exception for the months between June and August. A wetsuit is recommended, especially if you plan a long snorkeling session.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

The closest facility is Mar Restaurante & Bar where you can find food and toilets but these are reserved for patrons.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth12ft/4m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach
  • Potential DangersWaves, currents
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium to high
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

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.