25931
Well-known member
The social side of Albufeira is what you make it. There are not many liveaboards though there are several UK owners who keep their boats here and visit regularly. Mrs Maxi does a few shifts in the local charity shop and we have several freinds in the expat community here. Also because Albufeira is a major resort area we have people coming out from the UK too and accomodation is easy for them. Though the bars etc along the dockside are not noisy they are welcoming and good meeting points.
We made our choice after spending many holidays out here so perhaps we went a different way to others. We have freinds in the south basin in Portimao and they are happy there, and clearly many are happy in Lagos and I do understand the liveaboards tend to be in the part of the marina away from the bars. I have not met any one residing in either Villamoura or Olhao so cannot comment on them.
Edited to add, Albufeira is secure enough for Mrs Maxi to return here alone when I was obliged to stay in the UK for medical reasons.
Olhão is not a marina- just classed as a small boat harbour - very cheap & therefore a two year waiting list & no visitors berths unless you can find someone who will be absent for a few weeks. There aren´t really any liveaboards but there is a healthy ex-pat community - famous for it´s support of the Olhão football club.
If you are interested in being ashore you could do worse than Nave Pegos boatyard in Faro.