On the edge of the coastal platform, the Northern Coast Natural Park is characterized by its scenic beauty. The 16 kilometers of august coast are some of the most beautiful landscapes in Portugal, worthy of photographing or painting to preserve the image over time.

This protected area, created in November 1987, was reclassified as a Natural Park in 2005. The defense of the coast against disorderly urbanization and the preservation of natural values were predominant factors in its classification, with this area also being included in the “Northern Coast” of the Natura 2000 Network. The Natural Park serves as a means of compatibility between sustainable development and the conservation of Natural Resources, not intending to prohibit the use of this territory, but to establish the norms and mechanisms for its correct use. Between the mouths of the Neiva and Apulia rivers, the coastal strip is formed by a series of beaches and dunes with associated reefs, small estuaries of the Cávado and Neiva rivers, patches of pine forests, and a rural landscape dotted with various water bodies. and areas of recent urbanization.

The northern beaches, formerly extensive stretches of fine surface, alternating between pigs and pebbles (ancient terraces of the Mariñas) and an area that allows reflection on the advance of the sea and the importance of the dune ridge as a protective barrier. The southern beaches mainly preserve the extensive beaches of the area that have so much tourist appeal and make Ofir a reference tourist destination. In the Apulia beaches, seaweed became a symbol of agromaritime work, as the fertilizer for the land came from the sea, in a scene where the fields themselves were made of maruxia with a sea aroma in the form of beautiful “masseiras” (artisans).

The Northern Coast highlights extensive areas of dune ridge, a refuge for fauna and animal species, and is also an important element of protection against water and wind and for inland habitats. The dunes develop especially in the northern areas (Antas and Belinho) and in the southern areas (Fão and Apulia). This habitat presents unique characteristics due to extremely difficult and rugged conditions, where very unique species such as the eagle (Ammophila arenaria), sea rocket (Cakile maritima), among others, are found. In addition to the dune ridge, there is still an important area of pine forest where we find maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and stone pine (Pinus pinea). It also contains small areas of riparian forests of Alnus glutinosa and oak groves where we can find species such as the oak (Quercus robur), cork oak (Quercus suber), laurel (Laurus nobilis), alder (Alnus glutinosa), or hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).

One of the peculiarities of this Natural Park is its marine area. The total area is 8887 hectares, with the marine area occupying 7653 hectares. The cold Atlantic waters associated with a rocky substrate with outcrops that can exceed 18 m, constitute some of the ecological factors of the great biodiversity that exists in this habitat.

With a strong connection to the maritime area, the estuary of the Cávado River and the small estuary of the Neiva River constitute a natural resource of notable importance. Its rich landscape associated with a diversity of fauna and flora, a place of reproduction and “nursery” of species thickets, makes the rivers host some of the most important habitats of the Northern Coast Natural Park.