Praia de Rocha receives a Mediterranean climate very similar to its surrounding resorts. The Algarve in the far south of Portugal is home to many popular resorts, loved by tourists seeking the area's long hot summers or mild winters. Sitting towards the west end of Portugal's southern coast, weather conditions in Praia de Rocha are almost identical to those in Lagos and Ferragudo, though its summers are slightly warmer than Praia da Luz which is further west, and slightly cooler than Quarteira and Faro to the east.
Praia de Rocha benefits from its southerly position, and proximity to the Mediterranean on the North Atlantic coast. Heat is normally guaranteed but tempered by ocean currents. The hilly region to the north keeps the whole of the Algarve protected from the cooler weather received by the north of Portugal. The Atlantic currents maintains its cooler climate in the summer months, so unlike neighbouring areas in Southern Spain, it doesn't deal with the same arid, hot conditions that can be less tolerable for some.
Summer
From June till September it is gorgeously hot. The average high temperature sits in the mid 20°Cs in June and September, rising to a peak of 28°C in July and August. The beach is sheltered by the cliffs from the northerly wind and with the sun shining for around 12 to 14 hours per day in peak months you can bake endlessly on the hot sand. You may find yourself wishing for a little cooling breeze but a dip into balmy sea will have to suffice.
The sea temperatures at this time of the year fall between 20°C and 22°C, increasing on occasion, with August offering the warmest temperatures. The wind bypasses the beach but creates great sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing conditions out to sea. Occasionally there are slight sea breezes, with June having a twenty-two per cent chance of wind for example. With this heat it can be welcome. Humidity is quite low helping to keep the heat more to a more bearable level, and meaning it's a dry heat.
Night times cool off pleasantly at the beginning and end of the season, but can stay in the 20°Cs in the peak months. Luckily, it usually gets down to around 18°C in July and August. Rainfall is minimal; the area is sometimes in drought for summer. Between these months the average rainfall is no more than 5mm, and 9mm in September.
Autumn
In October and November, is still very warm and many might find it preferable to the peak season. The average high temperature drops to 22°C in October and only drops below 20°C towards the end of November. However, rainfall increases. It doesn't rain very often but rain falls in storms which get heavier as the season progresses November is in fact the wettest month of the year with 85mm. Nights do get a lot cooler, requiring a light sweater at 13°C, as does the sea which averages 17°C by October. It is worth checking the forecast though as there are still plenty of sunny, dry days depending on when you travel, with more than 8 hours sunshine per day.
Winter
From December till February is very mild, as is characteristic of winters in the area. The average high is 16°C for the whole season. The average low of 11°C drops to 10°C in January, the coldest month of the year. Rainfall gets lighter but more frequent in December and January before starting to decrease in general. The sun in the rainy months still comes out for around six hours per day, and seven hours per day in drier February which makes for lovely conditions.
However, the sea temperature is too cold for swimming for most people at just 16°C although persistent water sport enthusiasts may want to don their wetsuits and take advantage of the easterly Levantine wind that blows in this season. It's still a great time for walks along the coastline and cliff-tops, if the sea breezes aren't too strong and mild average temperatures of 13°C are better than to be expected in northern Europe.
Spring
From March till May the climate is warm and sunny. Rain still falls quite often but not enough to worry about. There is a big drop between March and May, falling from an average of 37mm per month to 15mm and sunshine increases in line with this from 9 hours per day to a lovely 12!
The average temperature for the season is around 15°C and high temperatures increase to 17°C in March, 19°C in April and 22°C in May, though night times still cool off considerably to around 11°C. The sea is not really warm enough for swimming with temperatures between 16°C and 17°C. Be warned as well, currents can be strong at this time of year and its best to save swimming until the months when lifeguards are on duty.
