Anchorages Atlantic coast - France/spain

[dweeze]

We are planning to head south in approx 6 weeks.
We are keen to avoid over populated and touristy marinas.
Does anyone know of a publication that could help with locating good overnight anchorages?
Any info on anchorages along french/spainish and portugese atlantic coasts would be appreciated
cheers
dweeze

 

[boatbuilder]

The two places that I use are Carino (no not coruna missspelt), look itup, and Muros. Both free well sheltered and Muros has just about everything you need.
Hope this helps /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jeanne]

RCC Foundation Atlantic Coasts of Spain and Portugal - should find everything you need for those areas. Have a good trip - NW Spain is a woinderful cruising ground.

 

[Robin]

For the French Atlantic coast try the French Pilotes Cotier, very good and easy enough French to understand if you know schoolboy French, they are about £20 each at any French chandlers. Peter Cumberledges book, Secret Anchorages of Brittany covers that part of the Biscay coast, in English of course, but the same info is in the Pilotes Cotiers though.

 

[Ocean Hound]

Cross over to Bilboa or Gijon and work your way gradually west round to Corunna - that took me three weeks and then head south. Under no circumstances miss the Rias both above Corunna and below. I've spent the last two years cruising the Ria de Muros, Arousa, Pontevedra, Vigo and all the bits in between, flying back and forth via Santiago. Have left the boat in Sada and Villagarcia over two winters, zero problems. PM me if you want to talk, although the RRC Pilot gives you all you need to know.
Edward
'Kindred Spirit'

 

[Woodentop]

Starting from La Corunna - anchorage in big harbour

Then, round the corner.

Camarinas
Corme y Large

The Rias of Galicia - 4 big estuaries with lots of places
Muros is good

Takes you down to Bayona in Ria Vigo.

Down the Portugese Coast
Povoa de Varzim is a small friendly cheap marina.

Leixos (11 miles south) is a useful overnight anchorage, in the corner by the marina

Sines is delightful - anchor by marina off long beach

Outside Lagos can be good but go a mile or two east to Alvor. Wiggle in at mid tide on the flood.

Lots of other possibilities.

 

[Plomong]

I would recommend:
North Biscay Pilot by Adlard Coles (RCC Pilotage Foundation) and
South Biscay Pilot by Robin Brandon (Adlard Coles Nautical)

Along the Basque coast we now have quite a few marinas (East to West):
Hendaya
Fuenterrabia (same river mouth as Hendaya)
San Sebastian
Guetaria
Zumaia
Lequetio
Bermeo
Bilbao: 2 marinas: Maritimo and Getxo Kaia, try the latter. Maritimo allows anchoring off just to NE of marina entrance. Don't know if they still run a water taxi out to anchored boats.

Further West, marinas are few and far between. However, relevant ports would be:
Castro Urdiales
Laredo (Yacht Club, buoys)
Santander (Yacht Club)
Santander Marina de Raos (too far from town)
San Vicente de la Barquera: difficult entrance when heavy swell. Otherwise nice place.
Ribadesella: Also difficult entrance, but nice place.
Lastre: Quaint
Gijón: Marina. Worth a visit.

As for anchorages, this coast does´nt have too many. It is very open to the north, from where our bad weather comes -- straight from the North Atlantic !!!

However, in most ports or larger harbours, no dues are charged -- only in marinas.

So, make use of the Pilots, and have a good trip.

If you are in Bilbao, have a look at Guggenheim, Transporter Bridge, etc, etc

 

[dweeze]

thanks for all your info
We are planning to get navionics charts too so hope they will give some info too
anyone had any experince with those?

 

[Signed Out]

In Bilbao, the nautical bookshop- Izaro(http://www.libreriaizaro.com/), Doctor Areilza 21 ,48011 (94-441-30-01) is useful- lots of charts, pilot books (in Spanish) and other fun stuff. There's a nautical bookshop with charts and such in Gijon too, one street back from the marina, but I don't have the info. Although, just behind tourist info is watersports info.
Agree that the rias are lovely- Muros very pretty, but haven't sailied there yet.
Jem.

 

[Plomong]

Dweeze,

If you need any specific information on any port or facility between La Rochelle and Gijón, feel free to PM me. I've lived and travelled extensively in this area now for over 30 years, so I know most of it fairly well.