The Truth About Sailing On The Algarve

[nortada]

Currently there are 3 threads doing the rounds regarding The Algarve.

All cover similar ground & are largely given over to whinges.

Unfortunately, all 3 lack factual information so to try to get the wheels back on this wagon, this thread invites all with actual experiences to share them.

Then subsequent discussions have some basis.

Questions to start the ball rolling:

If you are in an Algarve marina is it fuller than last year & are the prices the same (or higher/lower)?

Are the anchorages & particularly the Guadiana fuller than previous years?

Is the cost of living increasing & how does it compare with ‘back home’?

Is the continuing civil unrest having any impact on you?

And for the sake of completeness; how you had any dealings (good or bad) with the Portuguese Maritime Authorities in the last 12 months? (only factual first had experiences on this one please).

 

[Nostrodamus]

I know there are many live aboards in Lagos and people return year after year so it has something going for it.
We were there for one night about a month ago and found it the most expensive marina we had been in all year. Even Vilamoura was much cheaper.

 

[Ludd]

Guadiana seems much as it was when I was here in November last year. We're all enjoying the social scene and jam-sessions in the Riverside,in between chasing unattended boats that have dragged/broken adrift.
VR do Sta .Antonio marina is chock -a-block,Ayamonte half-empty.
Rumour(N.B RUMOUR) has it that there will be a change in pricing policy in Junta marinas in the New year----hopefully this will mean a reversion to previous dscounted rates for long term berths. I wouldn't bet on it,though!
And yes ,I had contact twice with authority LAST year,boarded twice by Portuguese Navy ---courtesy itself,apart from telling me to pay A WHOLE TWO EUROS light dues. Renewed this year at VR.----BOTH certificates state for 1 year,not six months.

 

[GrahamM376]

I think it's been quieter this year from Lagos right down to Gib & Smir. Only Vila Real and El Rompido seemed pretty full, maybe Spanish Junta ones quiet because, as Ludd mentions, the long stay discounts were cancelled. Guadiana was quieter than usual in July. Spent a couple of nights in Algarve marinas (Lagos & Portimao) as visitors were paying, usually avoid them due to cost - around 45 euro per night for <12m whereas Spanish just down the coast only charge 29 euro.

We were boarded at Alcoutim by joint Portuguese and Spanish customs, passport and SSR check only. That's the first check we've had in 6 years in Portugal.

Economy not good for the natives with tax increases, big wage cuts, increased medical charges, increasing unemployment, etc. For us, the exchange rate is quite good so it's still far cheaper for day to day cost of living than the UK and far more laid back. No intention of moving on.

 

[nortada]

Is it bad form to answer ones own questions?

1. Lagos has held its prices for the last 2 years but this year, for the first time ever, is offering extra benefits within their overall price.

2. Weren’t there during the summer but at present, Lagos appears slightly fuller than this time last year. About 70% full but the boat size seems bigger; hence A & B pontoons have fewer berth holders.

3. Cost of living always difficult but viewing it from a berth holder’s perspective, no car & energy costs included within marina prices, cheap public transport, food & booze (especially eating out); right across the board, suggest currently about 75/80% of UK’s.

4. Only impact of civil unrest is the now unreliable train service but a good (very inexpensive) alternative airport shuttle has filled this gap. Because of the A22 tolls & price of fuel fewer are hiring cars.

5. Maritime authorities as always evident but do not detect any change of attitude - friendly & helpful as ever.

6. Finally, dare I mention it, have yet to get any first hand evidence of arrest or summary fining.

 

[cloud7]

4. Only impact of civil unrest is the now unreliable train service but a good (very inexpensive) alternative airport shuttle has filled this gap. Because of the A22 tolls & price of fuel fewer are hiring cars.

Could you give details of the airport shuttle, thanks

 

[chinita]

Could you give details of the airport shuttle, thanks

.....is quite popular.

 

[nortada]

www.faroairportshuttle.com

.....is quite popular.[/QUOTE]

Try www.faroairportshuttle.com, new kid on the block - cheaper & is proving very reliable.

 

[chinita]

Try www.faroairportshuttle.com, new kid on the block - cheaper & is proving very reliable.

Yes, saw that on Lagos Navigators Bulletin board the other day; when I looked again last night - it had been removed

 

[CLEMMY]

For me resortfloppa was a no show in October. Although received emails of apology no refund received yet !

 

[Blue5]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Algarve. Lagos, Vilamoura and Albufeira had visibly fewer boats than last year, did a bit of research for berthing for next year and found Lagos by far the most expensive for our boat. Still seems a strange business model that would rather have berths empty than offer a discount and fill them.

The economy is obviously suffering as we managed to get two weeks car hire for £85 which is about half of what we were quoted for cycle hire, funny old went aint it......

 

[nortada]

Yes, saw that on Lagos Navigators Bulletin board the other day; when I looked again last night - it had been removed

The web manager will have moved it to one of his many other pages but the address is as I posted - quoting €12 per person one way Lagos to Faro airport, transfer time 1hr 10min. Believe they use N125 rather than A22 (no surprise there).

 

[nortada]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Algarve. Lagos, Vilamoura and Albufeira had visibly fewer boats than last year, did a bit of research for berthing for next year and found Lagos by far the most expensive for our boat. Still seems a strange business model that would rather have berths empty than offer a discount and fill them.

The economy is obviously suffering as we managed to get two weeks car hire for £85 which is about half of what we were quoted for cycle hire, funny old went aint it......

But that's the Portuguese way! Losing money? Then put the price up QED

 

[Sandyman]

But that's the Portuguese way! Losing money? Then put the price up QED

Do they not do exactly the same in UK ? fewer customers so put the price up for those that remain so as to guarantee your income level ?

 

[Nostrodamus]

We were on the Algarve this year but did not stay too long.
We had real problems there trying to get flares which were a bit like buying an under the counter porno film (not that I would know of course). Most places didn't have any and the one which did checked around the shop first before arranging for us to come back at a certain time. The owner did tell us that two boats had been ordered by the Police to go back in and get the required flares.
Personally we had no problems with the authorities and did not even see them but we did not hang around Blackpool land for too long.

 

[nortada]

Booking The FARO AIRPORT SHUTTLE (www.faroairportshuttle.com).

Try www.faroairportshuttle.com, new kid on the block - cheaper & is proving very reliable.

.

Sorry a bit off thread but hopefully could stop a sleepless night!

FARO AIRPORT SHUTTLE (www.faroairportshuttle.com).

Having spoken with previous customers, it appears that as this website is fully automated & there are no contact details, it is impossible to contact the company to confirm or cancel a booking!

‘The Airport Taxi Transfer’ message confirming the reservation, with the warrant to travel can take over 24 hours to arrive!

When it finally arrives, This ‘Transfer Reservation’ has a mobile contact number 00351 966033477. Unfortunately, again this number is not manned (possibly the driver?) but if you text this number you will receive the 'office' landline number 00351 282498287, which is ‘womanned’ by an English speaker.

Think the message is - try to book a few days before your travel. If this is not possible, ring the landline number to confirm you booking with the office.

This apart, all the users I have contacted speak very highly of the service & are well pleased with the charges.

Now off to book a transfer in the near future.

 

[WF36]

.

FARO AIRPORT SHUTTLE (www.faroairportshuttle.com).

Having spoken with previous customers, it appears that as this website is fully automated & there are no contact details, it is impossible to contact the company to confirm or cancel a booking!

‘The Airport Taxi Transfer’ message confirming the reservation, with the warrant to travel can take over 24 hours to arrive!

When it finally arrives, This ‘Transfer Reservation’ has a contact number 00351 966033477. Unfortunately, again this number is not manned but if you text this number you will receive the office number landline number 00351 282498287, which is ‘womanned’ by an English speaker.

This apart, all the users I have contacted speak very highly of the service & are well pleased with the charges.

Thanks going to give them a try when I pop down to Lagos over the New Year, €12 is much cheaper than a €40 hire car + €10 fuel!

 

[nortada]

Booking The Faro Airport Shuttle

Booking completed no problem (took less than 5 mins) & as we do not use pay pal, we opted to pay the driver on the day.

€12 each Lagos to Faro, very reasonable

However DO PRINT OUT the transfer reservation on drop down page accessed through page 3 because when the transfer reservation nunber message arrives it is empty & once closed you can't get back to your booking form & you will not have any contact details

We now await confirmation & will post how long it takes to arrive

 

[nortada]

Thanks going to give them a try when I pop down to Lagos over the New Year, €12 is much cheaper than a €40 hire car + €10 fuel!

Yet to speak with anybody booking in UK so would appreciate any advice of your experiences.

If you need to speak with them to could try skyping them on 00351282498287.

As it is a land line minimal cost. To be fair, the Portuguese lady who answered immediately, spoke excellent English (much better than my Portuguese) & there was no holding music, which makes me think it could be a private residence?

Have a great New Year break in the sun & enjoy the fireworks at the harbour entrance at midnight

 

[nortada]

Booking completed no problem (took less than 5 mins) & as we do not use pay pal, we opted to pay the driver on the day.

€12 each Lagos to Faro, very reasonable

However DO PRINT OUT the transfer reservation on drop down page accessed through page 3 because when the transfer reservation nunber message arrives it is empty & once closed you can't get back to your booking form & you will not have any contact details

We now await confirmation & will post how long it takes to arrive

Just received the confirmation - 5 hours after booking so a lot better than last time. Now just have to hope that it turns up!