Lagos Area

Introduction To Lagos - Cruising Information

Cape St Vincent is well known to all cruising yachtsmen and it is, of course, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe.  Some 20 miles to the east of the headland, LAGOS is the first secure harbour after the Cape and it makes a perfect stopover, either for a short-term visit or a winter lay-up.   It is a popular point of arrival and departure for transatlantic yachtsmen and for anyone visiting the Mediterranean or Atlantic Islands.

Lagos is truly at “The Cruising Crossroads of the North Atlantic”.

Lagos is one of the most historic towns in Portugal, having been a base for Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese “Discoverers” of the 15th Century.  The original walls and forts still encircle the old town, which with its narrow streets – now mainly pedestrianised – is well worth exploring.

There is a lively social scene, catering for all tastes and ages. A great joy is that it is still a very safe town. While there is still some pick-pocketing - and drugs are to be found – it feels much safer here than in the U.K.  It is common to see 3 or even 4 generations of locals - all out together and enjoying themselves as a family.  In addition, there are miles of clean sandy beaches, safe swimming and adventure sports for the young at heart.

Marina de Lagos offers very secure berthing on modern finger pontoons, with water, electricity and Wi-Fi included in the price. As well as 24/7 security patrols, all the normal marina facilities are available.

Pilotage Notes

Ponta da Piedade, with light Fl. 7secs, is at 37º 04’.8 N, 008º40’.1 W.  It is on a prominent headland, with a conspicuous radar tower just behind.  It is 1.5 nm south of Lagos, and it shelters the Bay of Lagos from all westerly winds.  Apart from the easily spotted rocks and cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, there is only one minor hazard on the approach.  A small sand bank, about 300 mtrs south of the west mole, has a charted depth of 1.6 mtrs.  Local testing proves that the bank is building slowly, but the transit below keeps you clear of any danger.

In the bay, the recommended arrival waypoint is 37º05.78' N; 008º39.08' W. Then steer 282º T for 0.7nm with the west mole in transit with St. Anthony’s Church. The rear mark can be hard to spot; it is shown in the photo, just above the west mole light pillar.

The moles are marked with red and green pillars and lights, Gr. Fl. (2) 6secs.  The entrance is about 100 metres wide, dredged to 3 metres LAT.  It is well protected by the two moles - and the east mole has a "dog-leg" to stop any swell from working its way up river.  However, entry is not advised in strong south-easterly winds, as a heavy sea can build up at the river mouth.

The channel up-river is not formally marked, other than by the many small craft moored on the "Avenida" side.  There were two large red piles as markers, but these are now rusty and one has broken off at the high-water line.  This leaves a potential hazard, about 150 metres into the channel, just before a small "tour boat" pontoon.  At high-water, it is invisible and it is only marked by a fluorescent red pellet.   At night the river is well illuminated by the street lamps on the Avenida Dos Descobrimentos.

Marina Reception

Ahead of the large, brown replica caravel, Boa Esperança, you will find the Marina's 80-metre reception pontoon.  This lies to starboard, just before the pedestrian bridge, with the fuel berth at its seaward end.  To port, there are two large red pellets to keep you away from the shelving edge of the channel.

The photo on the left was taken at high water, mid-morning in March, from the footbridge looking seaward.  From right to left it shows the Avenida, the river channel, Boa Esperança, a motor boat at the fuel pontoon, a sloop at the reception pontoon, the fish dock and Sopromar's boatyard in the distance.

On arrival, the multi-lingual staff will complete all the legal documentation and notifications required for visitors.

Entry to the marina berths is by passing through the lifting pedestrian bridge which connects the town with the railway station.  This is opened for yachts on demand, except for eight, 10-minute periods per day, when pedestrians have right-of-way, just prior to train departures.