Heckler
Active member
Got one of their T shirts!
Algarve marinas
- Thread starter PhilipH
- Start date
Roberto
Well-known member
Almost 10y later, I still remember the comment of Mrs PhilipH about one of those (Portimao, Vilamoura?, the one with enormous motorboats inside), "it's like that part of the boat show we never visit"
nortada
Well-known member
Almost 10y later, I still remember the comment of Mrs PhilipH about one of those (Portimao, Vilamoura?, the one with enormous motorboats inside), "it's like that part of the boat show we never visit"
Most likely Vilamoura.
PhilipH
Member
Almost 10y later, I still remember the comment of Mrs PhilipH about one of those (Portimao, Vilamoura?, the one with enormous motorboats inside), "it's like that part of the boat show we never visit"
Yes it was Vilamoura!!!!!
PhilipH
Member
So the quotes are in. If Lagos is 100% then Portimao is 49% and Albufeira is 39%. In addition both Portimao and Albuferia offer free days in the boatyard and discounts on yard services. No brainer then - Albufeira it is. Thanks for all the input.
Graham376
Well-known member
Albufeira also used to give/may still give free underground car parking and a hire car can be had for under €10 per week in winter if you shop around.
Yngmar
Well-known member
Definitely - the huge underground car park was an empty void all winter and the ticket machines all said out of service
You can also park on the small marina office lot, which had ample space, but the underground is more convenient. Hire cars were cheap, and so was Uber. For airport transfer we used Greenbus.pt. Bus station with Transrapido to Faro €4.70 is near the Mercado Municipal (behind Lidl/Aldi). In the marina, Spar has mostly tourist rip-off prices, but reasonably priced fresh baked bread/croissants every few hours. The Meu just up the stairs on the main road near the Farmacia has better food prices. Intermarché a walk up the cliff past the graveyard has lots of import goods and their cheap bottled beer was actually quite palatable. Lidl/Aldi together near the Mercado and a huge Continente (great deal on engine oil in spring!) further east along the coast. There's also a huge Leroy Merlin in taxi/car distance, which does everything including cut to size timber of all sorts. Oh, and the small Ferreteria near the school (close to Intermarché) stocks stainless nuts and bolts (A2 only), jerrycans and other useful bits. You'll have to Google translate or point to pictures, but they were quite friendly and helpful.And do walk up the cliff west of the marina. The views are amazing.
maxi77
Active member
Definitely - the huge underground car park was an empty void all winter and the ticket machines all said out of service
And do walk up the cliff west of the marina. The views are amazing.
The local bus stops just up from the western end of the dual carriageway and is much cheaper than taxis. You can use it to get round much of the town. Also the transfer companies will pick up from the marina apartments reception which is usually the cheapest way to get to and from the airport.
capnsensible
Well-known member
If the wind is blowing straight out of the marina as you leave, unrolling your Genoa and sailing out can cause much arm waving, whistle blowing and shouty.
A Regal Wave back doesn't seem to have much of a calming effect.
A Regal Wave back doesn't seem to have much of a calming effect.
dslittle
Well-known member
If the wind is blowing straight out of the marina as you leave, unrolling your Genoa and sailing out can cause much arm waving, whistle blowing and shouty.
A Regal Wave back doesn't seem to have much of a calming effect.
And I bet you didn't roll it back in until you got to Lanza!!!
capnsensible
Well-known member
Not that time! Was on a short cruise from Gib to the Algarve and back for some guys to get over 60 milers. Next stop after that was, I think, that Marina on the right up the river towards Huelva. Nice trip. :encouragement:
nortada
Well-known member
Mazagon?
capnsensible
Well-known member
That's the one, ta. Local rumour has it that Columbus recruited in the area for experienced fishermen and stout farm workers to exploit whatever he found.
I did enjoy sailing along that coast on a number of adventures. One day may visit again.
nortada
Well-known member
Columbus, bit before my time so I will ask Dad.
That aside, up the river from Mazagon on the Stbd side, there is an excellent well protected anchorage and a good beach.
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greeny
Well-known member
I sat out a terrible electric storm in that anchorage several years ago. It went on all night, probably 14 hours or more. Crashing and banging all night. Fork lightening struck the hillside igniting the trees. We sat there, wide awake, waking for the strike that never came thank god. I'll never forget it. Scary.
Otherwise good memories of the place. Good holding and safe. Nice beach along the river.
Auveq
New member
I have first hand experience of wintering in Portimao. The Marina does suffer from winter swells and there is always damage as a result. There has been much repairing to pontoons and fingers over the years which, at the best, is make do. The piles in the north harbour have holes in them at the low water line due to pontoon rubbing from surge and are being left to deteriorate. The Marina is rather empty these days and the general opinion is that this is due to its high prices and lack of investment. Other marinas mentioned in this thread are generally a better choice.