Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on February 24, 2024
Santo Andre is a small village near Póvoa de Varzim, a coastal town in the Porto region, in the north of Portugal. At this location, a small rocky cove allows for underwater explorations, when the ocean conditions allow. Between the rocks and the kelp forests, you can observe several species of fish and invertebrates.
To reach the Santo Andre cove, head towards Póvoa de Varzim, a small town located about 12 miles/30 kilometers from Porto city center. Leave your vehicle in the car park next to the Hotel Santo Andre. The spot is located between the two rocky points, about 200 meters south of the hotel.
Water entrance is from the small beach (see map). As this location is wave-exposed, snorkeling is possible only when the ocean is perfectly calm. If there is swell, or the water is simply rough, do not get in. With the water being cold in the Atlantic Ocean, wearing a wetsuit is recommended, even in summer.
Santo André is a small cove, 60 meters wide at most. Only when the ocean is perfectly calm (absence of waves and currents), you can consider snorkeling outside the cove and exploring the rocks on the right and left.
Near the beach, the seabed is mainly sandy, with some rocks covered with algae (↕3-6 feet/1-2 meters). These shallow open areas are ideal for observing mullet, bream and schools of small silverfish that find shelter in the cove.
Moving away from the shore, you’ll reach deeper rocky areas on which kelp forests have developed (↕6-12 feet/2-4 meters). These create a pretty underwater landscape in which numerous gobies live, as well as a few sea stars.
Hotel Santo Andre, which has its own restaurant, is located practically opposite the spot. Another restaurant, A Tasquinha do Silva, is along the road towards the village of Santo Andre, about 200 meters from the parking lot.
These spots are only recommended to good swimmers, in good physical conditions, and with excellent snorkeling skills. These spots can experience currents, moderate waves, important depths, tight or narrow passages, or tricky water entrance, and can be located near hazardous areas (channels, boat traffic, strong currents…). The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas can be important - up to 500 meters. The “advanced” category includes drift snorkeling (transported by currents) and snorkeling off the coast. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell.You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
