javapearl
New Member
I would really appreciate any first hand knowledge on sailing to Madeira and the islands (from Gibraltar) - and on anchoring and mooring when there.
Thanks
Philip
Thanks
Philip
Madeira
- Thread starter javapearl
- Start date
FAITIRA
Well-Known Member
In my experience, Funchal is worth missing if busy, Porto Santo really nice and worth considering going to Madiera on the ferry from there. Funchal at Christmas though is spectacular, it is a pretty, interesting town, but the harbour gets very crowded, (we were rafted 14 deep, with us on the inside, luckyly we had a 20t steel boat then). Watch out for very fierce squalls near the Islands. Bill.
Conachair
Guest
Some info here http://www.znoy8.co.uk/madeira.html and http://www.bluemoment.com/portguide-madeira.html
Both very good websites. And of course noonsite - http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Madeira?a=Madeira
Both very good websites. And of course noonsite - http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Madeira?a=Madeira
Liz_I
Well-Known Member
Would agree with KBT re: Funchal = the anchorage from hell (well that might be a bit strong)! Always feel so sorry for folks sailing 600 miles+-, then being told the Marina is full, even 'off season'. If you need to anchor it's tenable however use a stern anchor to keep your bow into the swell. You can land the dinghy at the quay just inside the entrance. There are, apparently, a couple of new marinas but distant from Funchal. Dont be put of, Madeira is a 'must visit'. We reckon on hiring a car for 3 days & remember to take valium!!! The roads, drops etc are mind blowing - don't miss it.
If possible and we've been advising this for a few years. Leave your boat in Porto Santo BUT do make sure they've maintained the bouys! The marina may well have expanded from our time there but the 4 square moorings were in an abysmal state - we preferred to use our own anchor -although charged for at the same rate as the buoys. Porto Santo is a delight if you like basic. Shopping is great as long as you like a long hot walk into 'town'. The beach is 8km of white sand! The only bar in the port is a great meeting place memories of a number of parties there! The local bread 'boule de Cacou' is a must but you will put on weight! The open bus trip round the island is also fun.
Anchorage in Baia do Abra, Maderia is snug but deep! You will probably be the only boat there!
Slight diversion, sorry! The Loup de la Mer (ferry) runs frequently from P.Santo to Funchal worth 4 nights in a hotel & hiring a car, or, we heard that the flights are reasonable so worth enquiring about.
Whichever way you do it, you will love Madeira. For a small island it has everything, Scottish highlands to Tropical through English Spring - ahh! wish we were there!! Enjoy.
If possible and we've been advising this for a few years. Leave your boat in Porto Santo BUT do make sure they've maintained the bouys! The marina may well have expanded from our time there but the 4 square moorings were in an abysmal state - we preferred to use our own anchor -although charged for at the same rate as the buoys. Porto Santo is a delight if you like basic. Shopping is great as long as you like a long hot walk into 'town'. The beach is 8km of white sand! The only bar in the port is a great meeting place memories of a number of parties there! The local bread 'boule de Cacou' is a must but you will put on weight! The open bus trip round the island is also fun.
Anchorage in Baia do Abra, Maderia is snug but deep! You will probably be the only boat there!
Slight diversion, sorry! The Loup de la Mer (ferry) runs frequently from P.Santo to Funchal worth 4 nights in a hotel & hiring a car, or, we heard that the flights are reasonable so worth enquiring about.
Whichever way you do it, you will love Madeira. For a small island it has everything, Scottish highlands to Tropical through English Spring - ahh! wish we were there!! Enjoy.
AndrewB
Well-Known Member
We were in Porto Santo when "Hurricane Vince" went through a couple of years back. Safe enough in the harbour there, but I would NOT have liked to be in Funchal. However, anchoring off Funchal harbour is pleasant enough normally and protected from the prevailing wind. There are some mooring buoys.
Apart from Funchal marina, where you have no hope of getting a slip, but maybe rafted on the wall, there are recently built marinas at Quinta do Lorde, extreme east of the island near what is the best protected anchorage on Madeira, and I'm told at Calheta and Ponto do Sol in the south west. I've not seen these but Ponto do Sol marina has a reputation as being quite untenable and may now be abandonned. However, Funchal is at the hub of things, a lovely city to visit, despite the inconveniences you should on no account miss it. Just the way the city clings to the steep hills is an engineering marvel. Couples can get all the free food and booze you need if you accept invitations to see time-share operations.
The picture below shows Funchal from the sea (sorry its a bit wide). The harbour wall is clearly visible to the left, with the town center behind. To the right of the harbour you can just make out yachts at anchor.
Apart from Funchal marina, where you have no hope of getting a slip, but maybe rafted on the wall, there are recently built marinas at Quinta do Lorde, extreme east of the island near what is the best protected anchorage on Madeira, and I'm told at Calheta and Ponto do Sol in the south west. I've not seen these but Ponto do Sol marina has a reputation as being quite untenable and may now be abandonned. However, Funchal is at the hub of things, a lovely city to visit, despite the inconveniences you should on no account miss it. Just the way the city clings to the steep hills is an engineering marvel. Couples can get all the free food and booze you need if you accept invitations to see time-share operations.
The picture below shows Funchal from the sea (sorry its a bit wide). The harbour wall is clearly visible to the left, with the town center behind. To the right of the harbour you can just make out yachts at anchor.
javapearl
New Member
Thank you very much KBT!
javapearl
New Member
Thank you very much - the websites look very interesting and I will read them properly tonight. They look very helpful too so thank you again.
Philip
Philip
javapearl
New Member
Hello Zigmundovandog
Thank you very much for that - if we get there at all I will definitely hire a car.
How deep is deep in Baia do Abra?!
Thanks again
All the best
Philip
Thank you very much for that - if we get there at all I will definitely hire a car.
How deep is deep in Baia do Abra?!
Thanks again
All the best
Philip
javapearl
New Member
Hi AndrewB
Thank you very much for that and for the cool photo
All the best
Philip
Thank you very much for that and for the cool photo
All the best
Philip
TigaWave
Well-Known Member
I used the marina near Canical in 2002-2003 so its been open for a few years now. The entrance was not safe in a southerly swell, in fact we were stuck there for two days, but there was plenty of room great service, easy to hire cars from reception and have a beer and food. Spectacular walks along the peninsular, we took the car to Funchal which always looks a bit hectic and the swell definately gets in the harbour.
Contact details
Marina Quinta do Lorde
Sítio da Piedade, Apartado 530, 9201 908 - Caniçal, Machico, Madeira
Tel:+351 291 969 600 , Fax:+351 291 960 202, VHF Channel 16, 09, 12
marina@quintadolorde.pt
Opening Hours: Office: 0900-1800 (Mon-Fri)
270 berths. Clearance facilities and permits for outlying islands at the marina office. Good shelter. All facilities including fuel and pump-out facility. Repairs arranged with Canical Naval Yard. Restaurant, bar, WiFi, shop, car rental. Marina office is tucked away to the right of the restaurant.
Contact details
Marina Quinta do Lorde
Sítio da Piedade, Apartado 530, 9201 908 - Caniçal, Machico, Madeira
Tel:+351 291 969 600 , Fax:+351 291 960 202, VHF Channel 16, 09, 12
marina@quintadolorde.pt
Opening Hours: Office: 0900-1800 (Mon-Fri)
270 berths. Clearance facilities and permits for outlying islands at the marina office. Good shelter. All facilities including fuel and pump-out facility. Repairs arranged with Canical Naval Yard. Restaurant, bar, WiFi, shop, car rental. Marina office is tucked away to the right of the restaurant.
javapearl
New Member
Many thanks Tigawave
Philip
Philip
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