The swimmers were rescued by lifeguards on jet-skis.
According to reports dozens of similar rescues have been carried out in recent days on beaches in Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António, which due to rough seas have recently frequently been sporting red and yellow flags.
Ignoring flag warnings or lifeguards’ instructions on beaches can incur fines of between €30 and €100.
Meanwhile, in related news, a French woman on holiday in Portugal had to be evacuated by the coastguard from the renowned Marinha Beach in Lagoa after injuring her knee.
She was taken from the beach by boat to the Ferragudo coastguard station.
The incident happened on the busy beach at around lunchtime on Monday, which was a bank holiday.
The 38-year-old woman was met in Ferragudo by an ambulance which transported her to Portimão hospital.
Maritime police and Lagoa firefighters were also at the beach to provide assistance.
The woman is understood to have fractured her kneecap.