Prainha (Caniçal)

The east coast's only natural sand beach: near Ponta de São Lourenço, Prainha stands out from the pebble beaches with its natural volcanic sand in coppery tones, and with its arid yellow-and-brown setting, the opposite of the island's green. Just above, the Piedade dunes and their 300,000-year-old limestone fossils, unique in Europe, below the Nossa Senhora da Piedade chapel (16th century). Restaurant, changing rooms, toilets, parasols, loungers and parking. Blue Flag 2026. Bathing season 2026: 30 June – 27 September, a supervised beach with lifeguards assured; classified as a limited-use beach. In a swell follow the flags: red = no bathing.