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Setúbal · Portugal

Costa da Caparica cliffs (Portugal)

Open access📚 Compiled from public sourcesLimited inputs

Miocene shallow-marine cliffs running south from Lisbon along the Costa da Caparica beaches. After winter storms, small black teeth (sand tiger, mako, requiem) wash from cliff lag onto the wide tourist beaches — easy day trip from the city.

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Geology
FormationsAreolas da Estefânia / Miocene shelf sands
EpochsMiocene
Age~17-15 million years
Star speciesCarcharias spp., Carcharhinus, Galeocerdo aduncus
Technique

Walk the swash zone at low tide between the beach 'Apoio' numbered access points after a winter storm. Sift dark cliff lag near recent slumps.

Access

Frequent buses and ferries from Lisbon to Costa da Caparica. Public beach access at numbered Apoios (1-21).

Legality & ethics

Surface collection on public beach is fine. Do not dig into the cliffs (protected coastline + falling-debris hazard).

Hazards
  • Cliff falls — stay on the beach side
  • Strong Atlantic surf
  • Crowds in summer
Insider tips
  • Best November-March after Atlantic storms
  • Apoios 14-19 are quieter and have more cliff-base lag
  • Combine with a Lisbon city weekend — it's a 30 min trip

Shark teeth findable here

Trophy = headline find · Rare = real score · Uncommon = some trips · Common = most trips.

Also findable here

The beachcomber's bonus round — what else the geology gives up.

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