Praia de Chaves

Praia de Chaves runs for several kilometres south of Sal Rei, pale sand with a dune field behind it that is slowly burying the ruins of an old brick and tile works, whose kilns and walls stand half in the sand. A few hotels sit at the northern end and the rest is empty. The wind blows steadily along the shore, which suits kitesurfing, and turtles nest on the quieter stretches in summer.

What you actually see

• The buried brick works - kilns and walls being swallowed by the advancing dunes.
• The dune field - sand moving inland behind the beach.
• The long sand - several kilometres of beach, mostly undeveloped.
• The kitesurfing - the steady onshore wind used along the shore.

When to go

November to June is the dry season, with the strongest wind December to March. Turtle nesting runs June to October. Harmattan dust can be heavy.

Honest expectations

Currents along this coast are strong and swimming is risky away from the hotel stretches. There is little shade. Sand blowing along the beach can be uncomfortable in high wind.

Nearby

Sal Rei is north, and Rabil is inland.