Babacashee
Why we came: finding a safe place to swim
With Aba, finding a good summer spot is hard. You want clear water and sandy beaches, but no risk from huge waves or currents. This was the second stop on our Silver Coast trip. The coast has raw, wild beauty and long beaches you almost have to yourselves. The water is cooler and the weather is moodier than further south. It's also emptier.
The village: old charm, very quiet
Foz do Arelho started as a fishing settlement. In the late 19th and early 20th century it became a therapeutic and leisure destination. In the 80s and 90s the Green Hill Disco made it the Silver Coast's nightlife spot. That era is over. Outside summer the village is really quiet, with some good small beach bars and restaurants. For us, the quiet is exactly why it works with a dog.
The Óbidos Lagoon and Aba's first brave swim
The lagoon is fed by both fresh river water and the Atlantic tide. That gives you kilometres of shallow, calm, warm water with no big waves or strong currents. It gave Abacaxi a huge confidence boost. We recommend it for any dog learning to swim or needing a safe place to cool off in summer. It's good for people too, if you want to swim without getting battered by the Atlantic.
At first Aba was terrified of ocean waves. His buddy Bo was scared of swimming too. Here they both swam across the lagoon from a small sand island back to the beach. The water was shallow enough that I could walk right behind them, and it felt very safe. Seeing both of them so confident afterwards made our day.
Walks, birds and watersports
The lagoon is also great for long walks and bird watching, and for seeing the ocean and lagoon side by side. It's good for watersports too. Ben took his first kitesurfing lessons here. The surf school rents out kayaks, paddleboards and surfing gear and offers lessons. The catch for us: they don't allow dogs in the kayaks or on the boards.
Logistics: car, Caldas da Rainha, stays and beach rules
The village gets packed in July and August but has little infrastructure, just some very small local shops. For groceries, pet stores and vets, go to Caldas da Rainha, about 10 minutes away by car. You definitely need a car, because public transport is basically non-existent.
Hotels are usually not an option with a big dog. Off-season there are plenty of nice holiday homes at a reasonable price. There is also a well-placed, fully equipped caravan site that is quite cheap, but check the details before you come. Dogs are officially not allowed on guarded beaches in July and August. If you keep your dog on the leash on the beach it should be okay, and we only had good experiences.
Good to know
- If your dog is nervous in water, swim on the lagoon side, not the ocean side. It has no big waves or strong currents.
- Come by car. Caldas da Rainha is about 10 minutes away for groceries, pet stores and vets.
- In July and August, keep your dog on the leash at the beach. Dogs are officially not allowed on guarded beaches in high season.
- Don't plan to take your dog on a kayak or board here. The surf school doesn't allow dogs.
Foz do Arelho with a dog: questions
Is the Óbidos Lagoon at Foz do Arelho safe for a dog to swim in?
We think the Óbidos Lagoon at Foz do Arelho is a very safe place for a dog to swim. The lagoon has kilometres of shallow, calm, warm water with no big waves or strong currents like on the ocean side. Aba and his buddy Bo crossed the lagoon from a small sand island, and the water was shallow enough for me to walk right behind them.
Are dogs allowed on the beaches at Foz do Arelho in summer?
Officially, dogs are not allowed on guarded beaches during high season, which on the Silver Coast is only July and August. Even then, we think it should be okay at Foz do Arelho if your dog is on a leash at the beach. We only had positive experiences, even in high season.
Can my dog come on a kayak or paddleboard at Foz do Arelho?
No. The surf school at Foz do Arelho rents out kayaks, paddleboards and surfing gear, but it doesn't allow dogs in the kayaks or on the boards.
Where is the nearest vet and pet store to Foz do Arelho?
Foz do Arelho only has some very small local shops. For vets, pet stores and proper grocery shopping, we go to Caldas da Rainha, which is about 10 minutes away by car. You definitely need a car, because public transport is basically non-existent.
Where can we stay with a big dog in Foz do Arelho?
As everywhere else on the Silver Coast, hotels in Foz do Arelho are usually not an option with a big dog. Out of season, you can find plenty of nice holiday homes at a reasonable price. There is also a well-located, fully equipped caravan site that's quite cheap, but check the details before you come.