When we arrived at Albandeira last week we were surprised to see lots of seaweed on the beach and in the sea - have other coves in the area been affected? When did it arrive? It was fine in early July

Exceptionally high and low tides due to full moon, think this is the reason.

Jaylay wrote:Exceptionally high and low tides due to full moon, think this is the reason.

Yep, could be. Take your waders to Feragudo Square if you are dining there at high tide!!

ceh wrote:When we arrived at Albandeira last week we were surprised to see lots of seaweed on the beach and in the sea - have other coves in the area been affected? When did it arrive? It was fine in early July

as Ceh posted any other beaches affected by seaweed,Carvoeiro or Centiannes for example ?

Benegil was bad last week

Thanks Tricky

Its the first time we've seen seaweed at Albandeira in 12 years and certainly put people off using the beach and even I wouldn't swim which was a shame as the sea was warmer than when we were there in July.

Carvoeiro beach is covered in the stuff tonight!!! Was fine yesterday.

Carvoeiro beach is still covered in the stuff. It's so bad it could put holidamakers off ever coming back, and it's now getting smelly. I was on the beach yesterday around noon, walked down to the waters edge and stopped where the tide was lapping my feet (in water and seaweed) a young lady went by me and stood in the water up to her knees for a few seconds, then proceeded out a further few feet, ventured in another little bit, waves now up to her waist, bigger wave came in and went out and she was covered in seaweed from top to bottom, all over her. I turned and left and when I glanced back she was picking the stuff off. Centennes was ok, though.

Roundabout 22 or 23rd September saw Carvoeiro beach covered in seaweed and strangest thing was where it met the sea!! The seaweed was at least 4inches deep and the sea was lapping against it as if the seaweed was a breaker!!! Really strange sight! The sea itself was black with more seaweed! Wish I had a camera.......

Does anyone have any photos of it?

A few years back when I was in Monte Carlo the sea was covered in seaweed. Early each morning boats would go out and rake it off ready for the day.

At Albandeira the seaweed was acting as a barrier - we watched the waves battling to break through. I took some photos but I've no idea how to post them!

When we were over there three weeks ago we paid a visit to Tavira. In all my visits to the place (and there have been a few) I've never seen the river level so high. Just about 6 inches from the top of the walls. The arches of the Roman bridge were barely visible. Perhaps a series of higher than normal tides is creating the seaweed problem.

ceh wrote:..... I took some photos but I've no idea how to post them!

It is very easy. Click Here to learn how to do it.

Or . . . email the images to me and I shall post them for you.

ceh wrote:When we arrived at Albandeira last week we were surprised to see lots of seaweed on the beach and in the sea - have other coves in the area been affected? When did it arrive? It was fine in early July

I would think you may have been near the sea, that's the best place to spot it, you can of course get it at your local Chinese take-away if you live inland.