Having reluctantly spent a week in Albufeira, Portugal, I was forced to endure yet another day on this beach. Despite the wind that relentlessly battered me until sunset, I managed to maintain my composure. The water was as warm as the Algarve, which was the only redeeming quality of this otherwise unremarkable beach. The morning tide was tolerable, but as the day wore on and the tide filled, the swells became more pronounced, making it difficult to even take a dip. I suppose the photos are somewhat impressive, but they hardly make up for the lackluster experience. The beach was overcrowded, with no real sense of privacy or tranquility. The only saving grace was the presence of lifeguards and ample parking, but even that was hardly worth recommending.