Ria de Alvor

[Mikedefieslife]

It is / was their port. It's where they land their fish and live for many of them. AND they were there a long time before we were.

What I was getting at is that being in the EU, opens it up to all EU citizens and those with permission to be in the EU. They can be upset about it, but I imagine they benefit greatly from EU money. As long as boaters are anchoring considerably and conducting themselves in a respectful manner, why would it bother the fishermen?

 

[GHA]

As long as boaters are anchoring considerably and conducting themselves in a respectful manner, why would it bother the fishermen?

Never had a problem in there. They whizz past full speed a few feet from your anchored boat but that's just what they do to get where they're going. Generally the portuguese are as cheerful and well mannered as you'll find anywhere, it's the expats from further north that are the grumpy ones

I suspect a lot of "unwelcoming locals" is more perception than reality...

 

[Graham376]

They whizz past full speed a few feet from your anchored boat but that's just what they do to get where they're going.

Just like all the other Portuguese with power boats They use the moorings as slalom courses at 20+ kts.

 

[capnsensible]

I anchored in Tavira wednesday night. Quite regular fishing boat traffic all night. No bother for us goes with the territory.

Anyone know what all the new piling is for on the west side of the entrance round the corner?

 

[greeny]

I anchored in Tavira wednesday night. Quite regular fishing boat traffic all night. No bother for us goes with the territory.

Anyone know what all the new piling is for on the west side of the entrance round the corner?

No, sorry,

But I do know what the small buoyed off area in the middle of the portimao anchorage is.
Wait for it.....................

A Flyboard area.
One of those things first seen on a James Bond film some years ago that runs off a jet ski engine.

Now that's really going to spoil my dozy afternoon siestas. I'll have to go up to Alvor for some peace now.

 

[crashtack]

No, sorry,

But I do know what the small buoyed off area in the middle of the portimao anchorage is.
Wait for it.....................

A Flyboard area.
One of those things first seen on a James Bond film some years ago that runs off a jet ski engine.

Now that's really going to spoil my dozy afternoon siestas. I'll have to go up to Alvor for some peace now.

I left Alvor for Culatra yesterday for some peace and quiet. The place was blooming chaos, full of drunken Irish and as someone mentioned earlier in the thread, the Portuguese use it as a slalom course. Its definitely not the same place that it used to be.
Also, there are several bars where its 99c/€1 a pint and only getting worse.
There are transfer firms doing Faro Airport to Alvor for €45. The influx of erm..... the lower end of the social scale is only going to get worse now that Lyingair have a hub at Faro. Ruining the place.

 

[greeny]

OK, maybe anther place off the "quiet" list.
I still have a few secrets though.

 

[GHA]

the Portuguese use it as a slalom course. .

Or judgemental cruisers anchor in the way of portuguese fishermen going to work....

 

[crashtack]

Or judgemental cruisers anchor in the way of portuguese fishermen going to work....

Considering that I've been here for two years and have learnt a thing or three about local habits, then No. Not judgemental at all. Alvor has become a hole. It's ok to visit by car for a meal, but Sailing there has become a nightmare. I was on a pontoon for the few days that I was there, so not exactly in the way of anyone!

Any more questions? PM me. Graham 376 knows what he is talking about too, you could do much worse than to ask him.

 

[GHA]

No. Not judgemental at all.
Alvor has become a hole.

The irony

I'll be sure to ask Graham next time he's down.

 

[Graham376]

Any more questions? PM me. Graham 376 knows what he is talking about too, you could do much worse than to ask him.

Alvor? Haven't been in there. First time, went the correct side of the first green and ran aground, only to be told later it's off position. Next time, rounded the green and then the turn to stbd OK but got washed to port by a RIB coming out on the wrong side at lunatic speed and we hit the bank, about half tide at the time. Never bothered since as reports say too many day trippers there.

If you're looking for reasonably quiet spot in Ria Formosa, head up the channel towards Faro and drop the hook by no.21 green. You can dinghy into the small boat marina from there, club bar (by petrol dock) has good snack lunches and beer and there's an outboard repair place next door with a few bits of chandlery. If you go there, you will see our 376 is on its mooring next to PM grey boat - at least I hope it's still there, I'll be back next month.

 

[Graham376]

The irony

I'll be sure to ask Graham next time he's down.

'ello sailor, how's the rust bucket doing? Should be there early June after a week or so in Lisbon, I'm ready for frango, fritas and a few jugs of cheap vinho verde

 

[GHA]

Alvor? Haven't been in there. First time, went the correct side of the first green and ran aground, only to be told later it's off position. Next time, rounded the green and then the turn to stbd OK but got washed to port by a RIB coming out on the wrong side at lunatic speed and we hit the bank, about half tide at the time. Never bothered since as reports say too many day trippers there.

Been in a load of times over the years, can be handy if southerly swell forecast which can make Portimao anchorage a bit rolly though best to get in the narrow entrance before it comes. And nice spot imho. Fine apart from the bit between the green and red, I've track of best water recorded from following mate who runs the tourist boats. Which might be different this year after winter storms. Apparently gone to the dogs which would be odd, as you know nothing changes that quick in Portugal.
C u for piri piri n vino soon, too much fun and playing too many gigs for rapid boat work so still be in same spot

 

[greeny]

Or judgemental cruisers anchor in the way of portuguese fishermen going to work....

Agreed but it can be a bit un-nerving if you've got visitors onboard who haven't experienced it before.

 

[nortada]

Agreed but it can be a bit un-nerving if you've got visitors onboard who haven't experienced it before.

Being going in and out of Alvor for the last 17 years and, to the best of my knowledge, no body has been hit or run down by a local boat - visitors occasionally drag or swing into each other.

 

[GHA]

Agreed but it can be a bit un-nerving if you've got visitors onboard who haven't experienced it before.

Similar in Culatra after dark first time you see a couple of not quite sober fishermen drifting a few feet from your stern laying a net through the anchorage then rowing around banging on their keel to scare the fish in the net. Their patch. Appropriate response can only be a cheerful boa noite to them as they pass by

you ain't in the Solent no more.

 

[capnsensible]

I'm back running a yacht out of Ayamonte again on Sunday, planning to anchor off Culatra on Monday and dinghy ashore for a beer. Looks like Scorchio!

 

[Mikedefieslife]

Spent some time in Alvor now. The fishermen are fine it’s the tourist boats that are a bit of a menace flying at close to 20knts only 50m or so from the dock.

Anyhow, those of you that spend tome there, what do you do for water? The water is far too filthy to get away with running a watermaker.

 

[greeny]

Spent some time in Alvor now. The fishermen are fine it’s the tourist boats that are a bit of a menace flying at close to 20knts only 50m or so from the dock.

Anyhow, those of you that spend tome there, what do you do for water? The water is far too filthy to get away with running a watermaker.

I don't spend that long there in one go but as far as i know there's no water boat to replenish you as there is in Culatra. So 2 options, go to Lagos or Portimao and fill in the marina there, or buy a couple of 20ltr drums and hand carry from shoreside. Maybe GHA can tell you different as he's spent longer there than I have.

 

[nortada]

I don't spend that long there in one go but as far as i know there's no water boat to replenish you as there is in Culatra. So 2 options, go to Lagos or Portimao and fill in the marina there, or buy a couple of 20ltr drums and hand carry from shoreside. Maybe GHA can tell you different as he's spent longer there than I have.

Use to be a tap in the market on the foreshore but the local council had it removed.:disgust:

Believe there is a water supply in the public toilets close by but not my choice of a water supply so always go in with full tanks and depart before requiring replenishment.

We carry sufficient water to last for about 2 weeks and in case of emergencies, always carry 20lt of bottled water

As said, closest place for water is Marina de Lagos, who have taps on the waiting pontoon, seaward of the lifting bridge or the waiting pontoon at Sopromar, in the fish dock.