Portugal
From CruisersWiki
Portugal
| Portugal | |
 Portugal | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Lisbon |
|---|---|
| Language: | Portuguese |
| Currency: | Euro |
| More notes about the country | |
Background
The background and history of Portugal is best observed on Wikipedia
Cruising/Sailing in the area?
Climate & Weather
Most days in summer the Nortada (Portuguese Trade Winds) blow in the afternoon at up to force 6 from midday to about 7 o'clock in the evening. Just right for shopping in the morning and sailing 30 miles in the afternoon if going south.
However, if going north have an early start and be in the next port from between 12.00 hrs. to 18.00 hrs. Expect light south-easterly winds during the mornings.
Many yachts going north have heeded the traditional advice to head out into the Atlantic to search for better winds. Many of these yachts have limped into Northern Portuguese ports to recuperate after meeting adverse weather and swell.
The northerly wind causes down drafts behind the capes. The wind also increases at river mouths as the wind is sucked up the valley as the sea breeze. Be prepared for this wind to increase considerably in strength when nearing a port.
Sources of weather forecasting info:
- Portugal's Met Office
- UK Met Shipping Forecast The new Area of Fitzroy (named after the founder of the Met Office) covers the north of the area down to Porto (Oporto). The area Trafalgar (which does not seem to cover Trafalgar itself!) covers the southern area
Charts
The pilot books give the pilotage information necessary for small craft within harbour and river entrances. The yachtsman will also need passage charts for navigation between the harbours. Since most harbours shelter on the south side of a headland the charts carried should be of a large enough scale in order to be able to identify headlands and any off-lying dangers. Admiralty charts are based on the Portuguese charts and there is a delay in updated information being published.
The Atlantic Coasts of Spain and Portugal published by the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation provides detailed information on all the harbours of the coast and is strongly recommended. It may be obtained from Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson or, most nautical booksellers.
The annual publication The Reeds Nautical Almanac which is published annually has updated information of the main ports and marinas and also information on Navigational aids.
The North West point of Galicia causes the gulf stream to split giving a 1/2 knot southerly drift along the Portuguese coast.
The surface of the sea is blown by the prevailing winds and this surface drift is often more noticeable than the current.
Tidal streams, except where influenced by a river valley or bay, are very weak, setting north on the flood and south on the ebb.
In summer, on the west coast, when the Portuguese trade winds (Nortada) are blowing, expect a southerly current of up to one knot. In winter, when the wind is often from the south, expect a northerly flow.
Off the Algarve coast expect a weak easterly current except after a period of wind from a particular direction.
The tidal stream is important in certain of the river entrances, where there is a bar, and if there is a swell. In these conditions it is best to enter shortly before high water to avoid conflict of the tidal stream with wind and swell. Approach these harbours with caution in these conditions which usually occur in the winter months. On this coast it is important to remember "If in doubt, stay out".
Swell:
Sensible seamanship is required because it is an exposed coast and considerable swell can arise from storms far out into the Atlantic.
In summer the coast is affected by heavy swell for about 10% of the time which increases to 30% in winter. The swell normally cannot be avoided by going offshore since its extends out to about 20ºW.
In summer the swell does not normally present a problem to coastal traffic provided, that the swell forecasts issued with the weather forecasts, are noted and heeded. Navtex is very useful to obtain forecasts in English.
In heavy swell, all the smaller anchorages are dangerous both on the west coast and the south coast. In addition, the smaller ports such as the River Douro, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz and Olhao are quickly closed.
There are now many all weather harbours with marinas to enable a short handed boat to 'day sail' down the coast in safety assuming proper precautions are taken.
Remember that a 1 metre swell at sea can easily become a 4 metre breaking wave at the shore or, on a shallow bar.
If the ports are closed signals are displayed. A list to the Day and Night Port Signals is on the Associacao Nacional de Cruzeiros web site.
Fog:
July, August and September are the months with the greatest risk of fog on the western Portuguese coast and it has been recorded as about 4% of observations.
During periods of rain, the hills are often covered by low cloud which obscures the cliff top lighthouses.
In addition, to sea fog, there is often fog forming in river valleys in the morning which affects many of the ports.
The southern coast is less liable to fog than the western coast but can have extensive banks when the Levante blowing through the Straits of Gibraltar is blocked by Atlantic weather.
Local Radio Nets
Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.
Arrival/Departure procedures
The authorities in Portugal with whom cruising sailors may come into contact are:
- The Capitania (Harbourmaster and part of the military)
- Marine Police
- Customs
In the marinas of the west coast, the documentation for the authorities is carried out by the marina authority and the authorities will not visit if registration is made to the marina office promptly on arrival.
If arriving outside normal hours the authorities will visit your boat and obtain information they require for their control and safety duties. It is also necessary to go to the marina office when open.
In Lagos marina you have to wait while your documentation is distributed to the authorities by the marina staff. In Vilamoura you take a copy of the document produced by the marina to the Marine police and customs at separate desks in the marina office who will confirm the document is correct against passports and ships papers.
When attending the office only one person need attend and you should carry:
- Ships Papers
- Crews passports
- Proof of VAT paid (unless the boat predates VAT)
- Captain's certificate of competency
- Insurance cover note
- Details of any crew changes to be made
Please give the authorities the respect to which they are entitled as representatives of your host country. You will find them very friendly and helpful once official duties are completed.
If you tell them that they are not doing their job correctly or efficiently, then expect them to assume that you object to their presence due to some wrong doing on your part. This attitude accounts for recent published adverse reports!
Crew Changes
There have been published reports that there are problems with crew changes in certain Portuguese ports. The basis for these reports is not known by the authorities and many crew changes have been carried out without problems.
The position would appear to be as follows :
- Normal crew changes are no problem
- A 'one off' change of a full crew is not a problem (i.e. delivery crew, joint owners etc.)
- Operating a charter business from Portugal resulting in regular changes in the whole crew will result in a report to the appropriate authority to see that :
- The vessel complies to Portuguese safety standards
- The vessel is correctly registered as a commercial vessel
- Appropriate insurance is carried
- The operator is registered with the taxation authorities
These requirements would seem be the same as applies in other countries.
Immigration & Customs
Submit details about customs and immigration procedures here.
Immigration
Details?
Customs
Details?
Visas
Submit information about what visitor's visas are available and where they are obtained.
Health & Security
Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
Ports & Popular Stops
- Albufeira
- Cascais (Port of entry)
- Faro
- Figueira da Foz (Port of entry)
- Lagos (Port of entry)
- Leixoes (Oporto) (Port of entry)
- Lisbon (Port of entry)
- Nazare (Port of entry)
- Oeiras
- Peniche (Port of entry)
- Portimao (Port of entry)
- Povoa de Varzim
- Sesimbra (Port of entry)
- Sines (Port of entry)
- Tavira
- Viana do Castelo (Port of entry)
- Vila Real de Santo Antonio (Port of entry)
- Vilamoura (Port of entry)
Offshore Islands
Autonomous Islands
Other Islands
Coastal Cruising Routes
River Cruising
There are 3 rivers in Portugal that are suitable for cruising. See Cruising Portugal's Rivers.
Things to Do
Set out below are some of the things to do and see during a cruise along the Portuguese coast. It is hoped that this will encourage more yachts to cruise along this interesting coast. (Additional information is contained in the entry for each port in this Wiki).
- The old sailing town of Viana do Castelo
- A visit to the Port Wine Lodges in Oporto
- A visit to the University town of Coimbra from Figueira da Foz
- Nazare, with its traditional clothes and possibly a visit to the walled town of Obidos
- Diving into the clear seas at Berlenga Island
- Dining in the fish Restaurants of Peniche
- Lisbon, the capital city
- The Algarve with its spectacular coves
- The Marina and old town of Lagos
- The beautiful anchorage in the lagoon at Alvor
- Promenading past the bars and cafes at Vilamoura Marina
- Algarvian anchorages at Alvor, Culatra Island or Tavira
Plus, of course, enjoying the many facilities provided for the land based tourist.
Cruiser's Friends
Most of the information on this Portugal section has been submitted by David Lumby, a retired cruiser now resident in Portugal. Assistance also received from Ray Glaister of The Cruising Association, Anne Hammick who revised RCC Atlantic Coast of Spain & Portugal, Neville Featherstone, The Editor of The Macmillan Iberian Guide, Ray Matthewson of yacht Phoenix Child, Nobby Pryor, Commodore of the Vilamoura Cruising Club, 'PedroK' webmaster of the Associacao de Cruzeiros, Robert Whyte, members of the various Port Authorities and marina operators and various cruising yachtsmen who have given information, advice and encouragement. The information is offered in the true "Cruiser's Spirit" to assist all cruisers following in their wake.
Kindly give David Lumby the support he deserves - Email Website.
Lighthouse 06:30, 23 January 2008 (MST)
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
Links to CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
Submit useful website links for the region
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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