Tidal current entering into Ria Formosa.

[RAI]

Can anyone tell me the delay between high water Ohlao and the current reversal/slack water in the entrance channel to Ria Formosa at Farol?

 

[RAI]

As a second question.
Can one still anchor in the pool north of the Farol entrance?

 

[greeny]

I work on between 30 and 45 minutes and err on the side of getting there early. Not certain about the anchoring now. Things have been changing the past couple of years and I didn't make it there this year. Stingo should know if he's not at happy hour in the bar.

 

[Graham376]

It's roughly 45 mins at 5 kts from our mooring in the pool off Faro to the entrance at Farol and would guess roughly the same from Olhao.

Not sure where Rai means but there are no anchoring restrictions between Farol and Faro.

 

[RAI]

Thanks for the answers, sounds like entering just before high water Ohlao, the basis of the tide tables, will catch the end of the flood. As it will be getting dark at that time tomorrow, and I don't fancy anchoring in the dark, the simplest thing is to anchor in the pool directly north of the Farol entrance. Then complete the passage to bouy 23 the following day.
I seem to remember reading some where that the sea grass lobby wanted to prohibit that, but can't find the reference.

 

[Graham376]

Thanks for the answers, sounds like entering just before high water Ohlao, the basis of the tide tables, will catch the end of the flood. As it will be getting dark at that time tomorrow, and I don't fancy anchoring in the dark, the simplest thing is to anchor in the pool directly north of the Farol entrance. Then complete the passage to bouy 23 the following day.
I seem to remember reading some where that the sea grass lobby wanted to prohibit that, but can't find the reference.

Sea grass lobby was about Culatra, they are planning to ban anchoring off the town and installing (IIRC) 40 mooring buoys which will have to be booked and paid for. Wonder where the other 100+ boats will anchor in high season

When arriving late, we often anchor behind the first green boy where channels separate to Faro and Olhao. Our mooring is close to buoy 23 so use tide times at the commercial quay, which are different to the ria entrance - Get Faro (cais comercial) tide times for the week

 

[RAI]

Thank you for that link, it's better than I have seen for this area. I suppose Ihla do Farol is the nearest to the entrance. Ohlao afternoon high tide is the same as Farol on Wednesday.

 

[RAI]

So I arrive too early, brave the entrance with two hours of flood left. Pussy cat, why did I worry. Much less exciting than the first time I entered years ago.
Thanks for your responses.
There are many more boats anchored/ moored on the approach to Bruce's yard. Most are on bouys. Are these private moorings, as many are empty, but are blocking a space for newcomers?

 

[Stingo]

I work on between 30 and 45 minutes and err on the side of getting there early. Not certain about the anchoring now. Things have been changing the past couple of years and I didn't make it there this year. Stingo should know if he's not at happy hour in the bar.

I know nothing. My wreck isn't going anywhere and in the last seven years has only motored from Bruce's to the anchorage off Culatra. @webcraft is up to speed on the tides etc. Ask him.

 

[Graham376]

There are many more boats anchored/ moored on the approach to Bruce's yard. Most are on bouys. Are these private moorings, as many are empty, but are blocking a space for newcomers?

All moorings are private, most laid by Clube Nautico, we bought ours 16 or 17 years ago. Some are used all year round, others in the pool just during races. Last I heard, authorities have banned any new ones and I'm not aware of any existing ones being for sale.