Portugal - Atlantic Sailing at Its Best
Welcome to the beautiful Portuguese coast which opens up to the waters of the east Atlantic. Here you’ll find some very beautiful resorts such as Algarve which offer miles upon miles of sandy beaches, lots of accommodation and sunshine all year round. Take the time to explore the numerous fishing villages with their Moorish architecture and spend away your holiday at any of the numerous golf courses scattered along the coast.
General Info
The Portugal seaside is split into two distinct parts when it comes to sailing, the west and the south. The west is characterized by ports on rivers, such as the capital city of Lisbon which sits on the Tagus River and which can be navigated right up to the city center. On the other side, the south is more suited for Yacht Charter vacations, since it’s full of small fishing villages sitting in estuaries that provide adequate shelter for boats.
The Algarve coast in particular is well known among Yacht Charter circles for its fine weather and even finer beaches. This 150km stretch of beach has mild weather all year round, making the sailing season much longer than in other places. The countryside is full of villages but there are also towns with lots of history, with forts and churches.
The geography of the country consists of mainly mountainous relief in the north and lower relief towards the south, made up of plateaus indented by river valleys. The biggest river is Tagus which flows from Spain and into the Atlantic through an estuary. Yacht Charter sailors can also make trips to the two Portuguese archipelagos located in the Atlantic, the Azores and the Madeira.
The vegetation in Portugal has undergone a long process of being affected by human development so that today few of the original species survive. However, there are protected areas in the country: 12 natural parks, 9 natural reserves, 5 natural monuments and 7 protected landscapes. Particular species Yacht Charter crews can encounter are numerous varieties of pine, chestnut, cork oak, holm oak. What’s particular to the Portuguese landscape is the Laurissilva, a subtropical rainforest, which can be found particularly on the island of Madeira in the Azores.
The climate is classified as Mediterranean in Portugal but there is a slight difference between the higher north and the lower south. Average temperatures range between 13 degrees Celsius in the north and 18 in the south. There are up to 3200 hours of sunshine a year and few precipitation which can only mean good news for Yacht Charter sailors that can enjoy a longer tourist season.
Law & Order
Upon entry in country waters, all boats must contact a port of entry or a marina with a set of documents that should include the yacht’s registration papers in original, an insurance policy and the ship’s radio license. All members of the crew must present their passports and at least one person in the Yacht Charter crew, other than the skipper must have a radio operator license.
For most European countries nationals’ entry in Portugal does not require a visa, as Portugal is part of the Schengen Agreement, but that applies to most of the countries in the rest of the world. Only a small number of non-European nationals require an entry visa for Portugal. These are mostly from the Middle East and Africa.
Non-European yachts will receive a transit-log which is issued for a fee. This is stamped upon entry in the country and when leaving. This, together with the receipt for payment of the annual lights and buoy tax should be kept on board while in Portuguese waters.
The Yacht Charter marinas and harbors that have port of entry services are Viana do Castelo, Povoa do Varzim, Leixoes, Nazare, Peniche, Cascais, Lisbon and Vilamoura. Exit procedures do not have to be carried out if your boat is heading out to the Azores or Madeira.