At the tip of a peninsula between Ovar and the village of São Jacinto lies the Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto. The Atlantic stretches to the west, and an arm of the Ria de Aveiro to the east. This location shapes the character of the area: the sea and the Ria form two distinct sides, between which visitors can discover the beach, dune landscape and protected nature.
Beach and water on two sides
Praia de São Jacinto lies on the edge of the nature reserve and has a long, almost untouched sandy beach. Water sports also differ depending on which side you’re on: you can go bodyboarding on the sea side and sailing on the Ria side. If you’d like to plan your stay around these activities, check the current conditions and providers when making specific arrangements.
A long wooden boardwalk runs through São Jacinto between the waters of the Ria and the beach. It makes the contrast between the two shores a distinctive landmark in the area. For nature lovers, the reserve offers another way to explore: the Trilho da Descoberta da Natureza trail allows visitors to observe and interpret the area’s natural features. The Centro de Interpretação provides information about the nature reserve and the region.
Dunes, birds and water sports
Mata de S. Jacinto was planted in 1888 to stabilise the dunes. The nature reserve provides shelter for many species of ducks and herons, as well as other seabirds, in specially created freshwater ponds. Both the history of dune stabilisation and the birdlife are among the themes that shape a visit to the reserve.
Water sports also have a firm place in São Jacinto. The Centro de Alto Rendimento de Surf (CARSurf) focuses on surfing, bodyboarding and longboarding and is located between Praia de São Jacinto and the Ria de Aveiro. The centre has also hosted a stage of the European Tour Bodyboard. The different activities at the beach and the centre offer distinct ways to explore the area alongside nature watching.
The Festival Dunas de São Jacinto is a three-day event in São Jacinto. The programme for the 2026 edition included stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and environmental education activities; the duration and programme may vary from one edition to the next. If you’re including the festival in your travel plans, check the dates and programme for the relevant edition.
Local history and crafts
The Ermida da Senhora das Areias is now the parish church of São Jacinto. The chapel dedicated to Senhora das Areias was associated with an image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição believed to work miracles and with numerous pilgrimages. Beside the chapel stands a Cruzeiro, which served as a mooring point for ships navigating the channel. It is said to have been built in 1584.
A miniature collection of typical Ria boats can be seen at the nature reserve headquarters. It features boats characteristic of these waters and is the work of craftspeople from São Jacinto. In miniature, it offers a glimpse of the region’s boating tradition. Another local speciality is served on the plate: a stew with fish and eel is highlighted as a gastronomic speciality.
Getting there via the Ria
A regular boat service runs from Aveiro across the Ria de Aveiro to São Jacinto. As timetables and operators may change, check the latest departure times before setting off. This lets you include the crossing in your travel plans without limiting your experience at the destination to the beach or nature alone.
Discover more destinations: Local profile, Pico, Santa Maria Da Feira, Arouca, Ilhavo, Vagos, Sever Do Vouga, Murtosa.
Return to the main travel overview: Aveiro.
