Where to winter in SW Spain or Algarve

[SimonJ]

I am planning to spend next winter based in an Algarve marina or in SW Spain.
Have just visited Lagos and Portimao which both have their attractions. Does anyone have recommendations for elsewhere such as Ayamonte or Sevilla, which I understand is an extremely attractive city? (Have heard overhead HT cables may be problem there.) Have discounted Villamoura although I am sure many love it - I do not! Unless there is a wonderful place nearby I was not intending to go into the Med. Cost as ever is a factor but good shelter, security,whether it is hospitable,access by land etc equally important. My boat is 34ft and can be reduced to 1meter draught.
Any info/advice much appreciated.

SimonJ

 

[davidbains]

I too would like to hear opinions on this area.
Especially for a boat of shallow draft (and great beam!).
Seville seems attractive, anyone been up there!?

 

[snowleopard]

lagos

has low rates in the winter season and no multihull surcharge. we enjoyed our time there.

 

[Dreamers]

Could you give us a flavour of the sailing, ports and anchorages - and weather - of the area you have just come from - we are thinking of re-locating boat and another Scuttlerbutter has recomended Ayamonte and area, would like to know what you thought of west coast. We are 47 foot and I think this may be a problem finding space in marinas, particulalry long term. Does anyone have any advice.

 

[Gerry]

Look at Vila Read de St Antonio at the mouth of the River Guardiana or Isla Canela on the Spanish side. Friends have just wintered there and got a really good deal. Isla Canela is a new develpment, a little souless at the moment but near enought to the fishing port of Isla Christina to have some local colour. Depends what you want, low prices, charactar etc?
Personally I'd go for Vila Real. Yo are right in the town which has great local colour, the Guardiana is a great river to navigate all the way up to Pomerau- over 25 miles. Nasty current across the berths when going in or out but as long as you choose the right part of the tide its ok.

 

[SimonJ]

We are presently refitting in UK having returned in August from 2 yr cruise to Caribbean and East Coast USA (and many places in between). Currently planning return to Caribbean (Nov 04) after winter in Portugal/SW Spain thence to Porto Santo, Canaries and Trinidad. Mostly avoid marinas (on grounds of cost) but enjoy social life, pot luck suppers etc and congenial crowds etcwhen we are in one!
Lagos has capacity (and space left currently)for 47ft and a great place with interesting town, secure marina, bathrooms although smart at first sight are smelly and need overhaul!
Portimao is cheaper, marina is more spacious (with capacity/space for 47ft plus), shore facilities are clean and tidy but marina now (also) surrounded by newly constructed apartments. (Probably not an issue in winter). Adjacent holiday resort of Praia de Rocha is frankly unattractive and Portimao proper is a good walk or bus ride away and again with range of shopping but not too attractive. Resident winter communities in Lagos and Portimao seem to be having fun!
So, how do Ayamonte or Sevilla (or other places) compare!?!

SimonJ

 

[SimonJ]

Re: Where to winter in SW Spain or Algarve - experience to date

We are presently refitting in UK having returned in August from 2 yr cruise to Caribbean and East Coast USA (and many places in between). Currently planning return to Caribbean (Nov 04) after winter in Portugal/SW Spain thence to Porto Santo, Canaries and Trinidad. Mostly avoid marinas (on grounds of cost) but enjoy social life, pot luck suppers etc and congenial crowds etcwhen we are in one!
Lagos has capacity (and space left currently)for 47ft and a great place with interesting town, secure marina, bathrooms although smart at first sight are smelly and need overhaul!
Portimao is cheaper, marina is more spacious (with capacity/space for 47ft plus), shore facilities are clean and tidy but marina now (also) surrounded by newly constructed apartments. (Probably not an issue in winter). Adjacent holiday resort of Praia de Rocha is frankly unattractive and Portimao proper is a good walk or bus ride away and again with range of shopping but not too attractive. Resident winter communities in Lagos and Portimao seem to be having fun!
So, how do Ayamonte or Sevilla (or other places) compare!?!

SimonJ

 

[SimonJ]

Re: Where to winter West Coast Portugal?

West coast Portugal
Sorry forgot to say.
Povoa de Varzim - great new empty marina and prices apparently still good. Shore facilities top class but bicycles needed for town access. Probably a little exposed and chilly in winter.
Peniche - unattractive large fishing port, ok for overnight but longer stay, no!
Nazare - extremely welcoming. Good winter rates for berthing (and long term car rental in'00). Sheltered fishing port a little out of way. Believe berthing has expanded in last two years, expect it is a lot cooler than Algarve.
Cascais - if winter rates reasonable could be a possibility. Great access by train/bus to Lisbon. Marina huge and fairly new. Only one or two marinas up river have visitor space.

SimonJ

 

[ALLWEATHER]

Re: Where to winter West Coast Portugal?

el rompido in spain just over the spanish border has decent cheap moorings and nice village with boatyard etc nearby overwintered there in 95/96.

 

[HaraldS]

Late this summer I checked most places north of Cadiz and then left my boat in Lagos. The winter package from 9/15 to 6/15 seemed reasonable and I wanted the saftey of the place. Would probably have decided for something different if I would stay on board. There are nice anchorages at Alvor or El Rompido, but I would not leave my biat unattanded in such place.
Portimao has still construction work going on, so you'd have to live with alot more dirt on deck. It seems safe, but sterile, when compared to touristic Lagos. I ruled out Vilamoura, but that's because I don't like to be beamed into what looks like an American resort, when I can enjoy Portugal.
I also considred Chippiona, looks very safe, if a bit lonely outside the season. I think it is a touch cheaper tha the Portugese marinas which seem to have almost exactly the same pricing.
I had to rule out going up to Seville, since my mast is 22.5m and the cable if I remeber right was listed around 18m.
For hard standig there seem some more options. A friend of mine has his boat on the hard in Lagos at Sopomar. The yard looks like a well run place, is fully fenced in and should be safe. He claims it cost him two thirds of what being in the water in the marina would have been.
The marina in Portimao claims that they will have hard standing, but as of November I didn't see any of that. However, deeper into the river at Portimao, allmost as far up as you can get, there is a big yard and large concrete field, originally just for fishing boats, but now has a large area fenced off for yachts. Also looks quite reasonable.
I have not checked into the Ayamonte marinas, to me they didn't look like a place that I felt comfortable leaving my boat alone at. But that might be subjective.

I'm thinking on keeping my boat one more winter season in that area, plan to sail Canaries and back this summer, and I'm quite sure it'll be Lagos again.

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