Basing a boat in the Algarve offers the opportunity for year-round sailing on a beautiful coastline, berthing at modern, Blue Flag accredited marinas with finger pontoons and permanent access. There are also several safe, sheltered anchorages in the rivers and rias of the region, and the opporttunity for a unique cruise up the River Guadiana which forms the border between the Algarve and Spain.
Another good reason for basing your boat in the Algarve is accessibility. Faro Airport is right in the centre of the region, and offers regular and affordable direct flights to over 60 destinations.
The infrastructure for sailing, in terms of boatyards, marinas and professional service and repair companies, is excellent. There are also well-stocked chandleries, sailing schools and a multitude of other facilities and attractions for the cruising sailor. We have set this website up as a handy guide to everything you need to know about sailing on Portugal’s sunny Southern Algarve coast.
We want this to be the most complete directory for sailing in the Algarve. Please email us if there are any businesses you think should be included with the web address and a brief description.
Cruising The Algarve – A Brief Guide Sailing West to East
Sagres and Baleeira – 3nm from Cape S Vincen, 15 miles to Lagos
The first town when heading east after rounding Cape St Vincent is Sagres. Good anchorages sheltered from the prevailing Northerlies in either the Enseada de Baleeira or Enseada de Sagres. Baleeira has easier shore access and a fantastic fish restaurant in the harbour above the fishmarket.
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Lagos – 15 nm from Sagres, 2 miles to Alvor
Lagos Marina enjoys perfect shelter 500m upriver from the entrance. Access for masted vessels is via a swing bridge operated on request by the marina. (Stop at the reception pontoon on the seaward side of the bridge before entering)
One of the most visited cities in the Algarve, with tourist-friendly beaches, rock formations (Ponta da Piedade), bars, restaurants and hotels, famous for its lively summer nightlife and parties. But Lagos is also a historic centre of the Portuguese Age of Discovery, frequent home of Henry the Navigator, historical shipyard and, at one time, centre of the European slave trade.
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Alvor – 2 nm from Lagos, 4 nm to Portimao
A picturesque fishing village set at the head of a shallow lagoon. The entrance can be challenging, best after HW-3 on a rising tide. There is usually no space for overnight anchoring among the moorings in the pool near the village, butt there is room to anchor to the North of the channel East of the villa on the cliff, plus room for several boats in the pool just inside the entrance. The village is well worth a visit by dinghy.
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Ferragudo and Portimão – River Arade 4 miles from Alvor, 14 miles to Albufeira
A wide and safe harbour entrance leads to a large anchorage inside the Eastern breakwater, but expect regular swell from commercial and fishing traffic in the river. Beach bars and restaurants on the Ferragudo side are easily accessible by dinghy.
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Marina de Portimão – 4 miles from Alvor, 14 miles to Albufeira
Easy access marina with good facilities and friendly staff. Be aware that in some sea stattes the North basin of thte marina in particular can be subject to surprisingly heavy swell inside the pontoons, thoguh there are plands for a permanent breakwater. Long reception ponttoon inside the floating breakwater. 20 minutes walk to the town center and surrounded by beautiful coastline and small fishing villages. Full service boat yard across the river.
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Marina de Albufeira – 14 miles from Portimão, 6 miles to Vilamoura
Shelttered marina in a popular tourist resort. Look out for wake from passing boats in the narrow entrance channel, where the reception pontoon is situated. Popular, best to phone and book a bertth rather than just turning up. Good access to Faro airport. Nice low sandy beaches to the east, set within cliffs to west.
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Marina de Vilamoura – 6 miles from Albufeira, 20 miles to Culatra
Well known easily entered marina popular with superyachts, in a resort town, with hotels, restaurants, and a casino. Very busy in season, but much slower in winter. Well-equipped boat yard.
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Culatra and Ria Formosa – 20 miles from Vilamoura, 26 miles to Vila Real De Santo António
The ria offers many popular and safe anchorages, though the largest and most popular anchorage opposite the village of Culatra is under notice that it is soon to be replaced by a field of mooring buoys. Be careful to avoid sandbanks West of the entrance. Tides run strongly in lagoon entrance and exit from the lagoon should be avoided in strong wind over tide situattions.
There is a large marina in Olhão town accessible by a clearly buoyed channel. The marina is busy, with a years-long waiting list for permanen berths, and prior booking is essential for visiting boats.
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Tavira
The only realistic stop for keelboats between Ria Formosa and the Guadiana, but very limited opportunities for anchoring outwith the main channel. Tides run fiercely. It may be possible to rent a mooring.
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Vila Real de Santo Antonio
At the mouth of the River Guadiana, it has an historic town centre with typical Algarve sty;e building. It is a public harbour so prices are lower but occupancy is higher. The tide runs strongly through the pontoons, plan to manoevre at slack water if possible. Close to the border with Spain (Ayamonte)
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Ayamonte
Not technically in the Algarve, across the river in Spain opposite Vila Real, to which it is connected by ferry. The friendly, affordable marina offers good shelter and easy access and is right in the middle of the attractive town with easy access to supermarkets and shops.
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River Guadiana
Navigable with a marked channel as far as Pomerao, though most boats only venture as far as Alcoutim, 20 miles from Vila Real Santo António. Make sure your air draft will allow you to pass under the bridge a mile North of Ayamonte. Anchorage options exist next to small riverside villages and offer an opportunity to discover some of traditional Portugal.