Portimao Marina Portugal, Algarve

Portimao Marina Portugal, Algarve

Portimao marina is located in the confines of the spacious Arade River estuary, and is spread over 25-hectare area, in front of the historical forts of Santa Catarina and São João. The coast provides some of the most famous and beautiful beaches of Europe
The water in the river and the marina is deep, so vessels can come and go at any state of the tide and the marina can cater for yachts up to 50 mt with plenty of room for manoeuvring.

Within the marina there are restaurants, shops, bars and the Oceanic swimming-pool, the is round the clock security, as well as a private car-park. The Boatyard offers a good range of quality services including the capicity to lift boats of sizes up to 300 tons and also catamarans up to 9 meters wide.

The town of Portimao which dates from the 16th century has some excellent restaurants offering typical local fish dishes. The nearest shopping is in the tourist town of Praia de Rocha. There is a hypermarket in Portimao with a bus service to it from the marina.

Beyond Portimao is the small craft marina of San Francisco on the west bank and opposit is the fishing harbour.

Anchorage

Anchorage is possible in the river opposite the marina in the lee of the starboard mole up to the moorings at Ferragudo with holding reported as goodover mud, north of these mooring the holding is reported as poor.

The Approach

The marina is to the east of Praia da Rocha – an area with plenty of hotel buildings and well illuminated at night – the entrance to the Port of Portimão is easily identifiable.

The entrance to the port faces south and about 250m wide, Ponta do Altar lighthouse (LFl.R5s31m14M) is situated to the east of the breakwaters both of which are lit. The entrance to the port is obscured to those approaching from the east almost until the entrance to the moles by the Ponta do Altar cliff. from the west or from sea the port is easily reconisable with its tall hotels and is well lit at night.

The Entrance

Once the outer moles have been passed, a course should be set of about 020º on the line of the Ferragudo leading lights, leaving buoy no. 2 to port. head north reaching the entrance to “Marina de Portimão” on the west bank of the river. The Marina entrance is between two moles with beacons  and the reception berth is located to starboard on the northern breakwater by the fuel jetty.

Contact by VHF on channel 9 or 12 “Marina de Portimão”