Figueira da Foz
From CruisersWiki
Figueira da Foz Port of Entry
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Figueira da Foz is a coastal resort and harbour at the mouth of the River Mondego, 65 miles south of Leixoes and 45 miles north of Nazare in Portugal. It is the closest port to the historic Portuguese former capital of Coimbra 40 kilometers inland. An important centre of shipbuilding and manufacturing during the 18th and 19th centuries, the city (as it became in 1882) developed into a popular tourist destination during the 1920s and 30s and its two mile long sandy beach and renowned casino still attract legions of tourists today. In addition to accommodating a thriving fishing fleet, the port handles several thousand tonnes a year of woodpulp, paper and glass products for locally based manufacturers. Upriver of the port on the north bank in the heart of the town is a small marina which can accommodate yachts of up to 16 metres. Shelter in the river is good, but the entrance can be dangerous in strong onshore winds. With a very high swell, the port is closed altogether.
Charts
- British Admiralty charts
- 3633
- 3634
- 3254
- Portuguese charts
- 23201
- 24201
- 26401
- Imray chart
- C19
Weather
The prevailing winds along this coast are the northerly trade winds, which blow at force 4/5 most days during the summer. Occasional Atlantic depressions (thankfully rare during the summer) can bring strong onshore winds and heavy seas, in which case it would be unwise to attempt the entrance.
Also see Portugal.
Passages
See Portugal.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
From the north, the entrance to the river, protected by two breakwaters, will be encountered about 2.5 miles after clearing Cabo Mondego. The suspension bridge upriver above the marina is conspicuous. From the south, the coniferous forests along the shore give way to the outlying suburbs of the city about a mile before the river entrance. Enter between the breakwaters on a course of 073°. The entrance is dredged to a minimum depth of 7.0 metres, but a swell builds up here in any onshore winds. Very strong onshore winds cause the swell to pile up in huge standing waves, making the entrance dangerous. Such situations are mercifully not encountered very often in summer, but it is not unusual for the harbour to be closed altogether during strong winter gales. Ideally, try to arrive at the entrance during the last two hours of a rising tide, when the river current will be largely counteracted by the tidal current. The marina entrance is about 750 metres upriver on the port side. If arriving on the ebb tide, beware of strong cross-currents which can cause eddies in the marina entrance. During spring ebb tides and especially in the winter months, it is not unknown for the currents in the river to reach as much as six knots.
Entrance
Figueira da Foz is a port of entry/exit to Portugal.
Please submit details about facilities for checking-in, location of immigration & customs, etc.
Berthing
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Marina de Figueira da Foz has a total of 350 berths on finger pontoons. The maximum length that can be accommodated is around 16 metres. Maximum draft 3.0 metres. Click on link for separate Wiki page.
- Two yacht clubs are close to the marina: Clube Mar de Coimbra (Tel: +351 914 157546) and Clube Nautico de Figueira da Foz (Tel: +351 233 428019).
Anchorages
None.
Amenities
Facilities | |
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Water | At all berths |
Electricity | At all berths |
Toilets | In the marina |
Showers | In the marina |
Laundry | In the marina |
Garbage | Bins in the marina |
Supplies | |
Fuel | Fuel station in the marina |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | In the marina |
Services | |
Repairs | Some repairs can be organized through the marina office |
Internet | WiFi in the marina |
Mobile connectivity | ? |
Vehicle rentals | ? |
Provisioning
Supermarket and shops close to marina.
Eating out
Give the name of recommended restaurant, tavernas, pastry stores, etc.
Transportation
List transportation (local and/or international.)
Tourism
History
Give a short history of the port.
Places to Visit
The town of Figueira da Foz is quite pleasant for a tourist resort and has one of the hugest beaches you are ever likely to see, but (unless you fancy a spin at the casino) is unlikely to take more than a morning of your time. The best day trip from Figueira is the ancient town of Coimbra, the former Portuguese capital, which can be reached via a regular train service. Coimbra is a maze of picturesque and steep streets, with lots of old Manueline houses in the old part of town. The university is one of the oldest in Europe, having been founded in 1290, and its architectural jewels include a sumptuous gilded library, a mediaeval chapel covered with azulejo tiles and a beautiful ceremonial hall. Don’t miss the impressive view from the gallery of the hall out over the River Mondego. Also worth a visit in Coimbra is the 16th century Monastery de Santa Cruz with its magnificent Manueline chapel and sacristy, with some more excellent examples of 17th century azulejo tiles.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Figueira da Foz at the Wikipedia
- Figueira da Foz at the Wikivoyage
References
See Portugal.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
- We entered Figueira da Foz in a SW 4/5 and it was a bit of a sleigh-ride (exciting but not dangerous). I wouldn’t want to do it in anything above force 5/6 unless it was from due north OR unless the breakwater extension has really made a difference --Athene of Lymington
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Figueira da Foz and this page's details validated:
- April 2001 --Athene of Lymington 18:44, 22 March 2010 (UTC)
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
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Names: Athene of Lymington |