Praia Camaxe, also known as Playa O Bao and Playa del Carreirón, is a sandy beach located on the island of A Illa de Arousa, off the coast of Spain in the municipality of Pontevedra, Galicia. The beach, known for its clear water and beautiful white sand, stretches approximately 600 meters in length and varies in width from 10 to 20 meters, depending on the tide.
The beach is surrounded by natural and forested areas, with large rocky outcrops where various bird species, like cormorants, are often spotted. The overall environment is quite serene, with calm waters that make it suitable for swimming and other water activities. Despite the serene environment, the beach tends to be crowded during the high season.
Praia Camaxe is also unique for its spring tide of opposition phenomenon, which occurs during the full moon when the sun, earth, and moon align, resulting in a low tide. This often attracts shellfish harvesters to the beach, contributing to the beach's unique charm.
Visitors to Praia Camaxe have access to a range of amenities. These include a beach bar, sun lounger and pedal boat rentals, showers, and a children's area. There is also a diving zone for those interested in exploring the marine life in the clear waters.
For the convenience of visitors, there is a large unguarded parking lot with more than 100 spaces available. The beach is also accessible by public transportation, specifically the Vilagarcía - Illa de Arousa interurban route. It is also easily accessible on foot or by car via the nearest road, the CC-550. However, it should be noted that there is no specific access for disabled individuals.
The beach's beauty and amenities have earned it the Blue Flag distinction, a prestigious international award indicating high environmental and quality standards. Despite this recognition, visitors are advised to bring their own sandals, as the beach has more stones than sand.
In addition to the amenities and natural beauty, the beach also offers a wooden path and a bike path. These provide additional recreational options for visitors and offer stunning views of the other side of the island and the bridge that serves as the entrance and exit point of the island.
