Lagoa de Óbidos

Lagoa de Óbidos
Lagoa de Óbidos
LocationOeste region
Coordinates39°25′N 9°13′W / 39.417°N 9.217°W / 39.417; -9.217
Typelagoon
Primary outflowsAtlantic Ocean
Basin countriesPortugal
Max. length6 kilometres (3.7 mi)
Max. width1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi)
Surface area6.9 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi)
Average depth2 metres (6.6 ft)
Max. depth5 metres (16 ft)
Sections/sub-basinsBraço do Bom Sucesso, Braço da Barrosa, Poça do Vau, Poça das Ferrarias
SettlementsÓbidos, Caldas da Rainha, Vau (Óbidos), Foz do Arelho, Nadadouro

The Lagoa de Óbidos is the largest coastal lagoon system on the Portuguese coast. It has a total area of approximately 6.9 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi) and an average depth of 2 metres (6.6 ft), with depths ranging from 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) to 5 metres (16 ft). It is located in the Oeste region and it is bordered by the municipality of Caldas da Rainha to the north and by the municipality of Óbidos to the south.

The lagoon has a predominant NW-SW orientation, with a maximum length of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) and a width that varies between 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) and 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi). It extends inland through two main channels: the Braço do Bom Sucesso to the west and the Braço da Barrosa to the east. It is connected to two small lakes, Poça do Vau to the south and Poça das Ferrarias to the west.

The lagoon is largely responsible for the development of historic sites, such as Castle of Óbidos.