Ponta Ruiva Beach is a secluded beach located in the parish of Sagres, in the Algarve region of Portugal. The beach is known for its natural beauty, featuring a sandy bay that stretches for about 500 meters. The beach's name, which translates to "Red Point," is derived from a distinctive reddish rock formation visible on the cove's western side. This rock, made of red sandstones known locally as "grés de Silves" or "pedra farinheira," is a unique geological feature that signifies the endpoint of a geological formation extending across the Algarve region and continuing across the Atlantic in Canada. This formation is a testament to the ancient supercontinent Pangea and the phenomenon of continental drift.
Ponta Ruiva Beach is situated within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. Its serene location and beautiful cliffs make it a favored spot among surfers and those seeking tranquility. Despite its popularity, the beach tends to remain quiet and uncrowded due to its isolation and the difficulty in accessing it. The beach can only be reached via secondary dirt roads, and thus, it is recommended to have a suitable vehicle for off-road driving.
The beach lacks beach support facilities, and there are no lifeguards present. However, the Maritime Authority regularly monitors it. The bathing season is undefined as the beach is not officially classified as a bathing area. The beach's natural attributes include white sand, cliffs, and an array of geological features such as schists, graywackes, quartz, and red sandstones. The area is predominantly subjected to winds from the northwest, and the average water temperature during the summer is around 22ÂșC.
