Alvor

From CruisersWiki

Alvor, formerly a quiet fishing village at the head of a shallow, tidal lagoon on the S coast of Portugal, fed by the river of the same name, is now an established tourist resort. Although busy with local and foreign tourists and surrounded by holiday villas and low-rise apartment blocks, the waterfront retains much of its charm and the anchorage off it is popular with cruising yachts. Entry to the river should only be undertaken by yachts of modest draft (maximum 2.0 metres) and on a rising tide.

Charts

See Portugal.

Weather

See Portugal.

Passages

See Portugal.

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

The channel up to Alvor is entered via a 250-metre wide gap through two training walls 37°07.08′N, 08°37.14′W. There are lights structures at the ends of both walls, painted with green and white and red and white bands respectively. The deeper water is on the W side of the entrance channel. Although it is possible for a modest draft (maximum 2.0 metres) yacht to navigate the channel up to Alvor at any state of tide, it is best to arrive at half tide and enter with the flow. There is one green buoy inside the entrance which has dragged west and confusingly should be left to port! Another red buoy marks the really shallow part of the channel, but it is still easy to run aground. If arriving on the ebb, note that the tidal current can run at 3-4 knots at springs. Plenty of space to anchor inside the entrance for good swimming, and for deep keel boats to wait for higher water to approach the village.

Berthing

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

The anchorage at Alvor is at the end of the winding channel, just over a mile from the entrance, just before the channel turns N and narrows. There are numerous boats on moorings in the pool. Anchor wherever you can find space in the channel, clear of the moorings, in 3.0 - 4.0 metres. The holding is good in sand. There are two jetties on the waterfont where a dinghy can be left, but use the inside of the pontoons and ignore the "no dinghy" sign!! Alternatively, draw up your dinghy on the beach.

Amenities

Facilities
Water	N/A (Not Available).
Electricity	N/A
Toilets	N/A
Showers	N/A
Laundry	N/A
Garbage	Large disposal bins near the dinghy pontoon
Supplies
Fuel	N/A
Bottled gas	?
Chandlers	N/A
Services
Repairs	N/A
Internet	Available at several bars
Mobile connectivity	?
Vehicle rentals	N/A

Provisioning

Minimarket in the village.

Eating out

Numerous restaurants on the waterfront and in the village.

Transportation

List transportation (local and/or international.)

Tourism

History

Give a short history of the port.

Places to Visit

The old village of Alvor has a long and distinguished history - it was the place where King Joao II, who sponsored a second age of Portuguese discovery following the example of his great-uncle, Henry the Navigator, died in 1495. Sadly, the great earthquake of 1755 flattened much of the village and only the parish church, the lovely 16th century Igreza Matriz, survives as a reminder of the village’s former glories. The village has a wonderful beach (which is, unfortunately, very popular in the summer) and the quieter reaches of the lagoon display an exceptional bird life at certain times of year.

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

• Alvor at the Wikipedia
• Alvor at the Wikivoyage
• Alvor Tourism

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.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Alvor and this page's details validated:

• May 2001 --Athene of Lymington 20:02, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

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Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington