Anchorages Atlantic coast - France/Spain

[petefrob]

We have picked up our Lagoon 450 in Les Sables d'Olonne and then sailed to La Rochelle, where we will stay for the next seven days. At the moment we are berthing in Port de Plaisance, marina in La Rochelle.

We don't have any fixed plans yet, except that we will sail to Gibraltar and then to head further south.

We are keen to avoid over populated and touristy marinas and would prefer anchorages.
Does anyone could help with locating good overnight anchorages?

Any info on anchorages along French/Spanish and Portuguese Atlantic coasts would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Pete and Vess

[goboatingnow]

We are keen to avoid over populated and touristy marinas and would prefer anchorages.
Does anyone could help with locating good overnight anchorages?

avoid GIB then.


Nice places to visit and easily accessible in Northern Spain Gijon, La Coruna, and Bayona.

the Asturian coast of spain is known for its food.

Portugal is more of a problem, porto is a bit of a dump nor do I like Vigo. but there are marinas in all of them, Sines is Ok.


round the corner Lagos is good, I don't like modern portimao or vilamoura these days.

Imrays Atlantic Spain and Portugal pilot book is your reference.

I always seem to stop in Bayona ( I like the YC) and then the swells keep me offshore till I turn the corner at Cap St. Vincents

Sorry if these arnt anchorages but still good to know.

Dave

[multihullsailor6]

Pete and Vess,

I will be doing the trip from Les Sables d'Olonnes to Cartagena in the Med on a brand new Lagoon 380 starting 15th May2012.

Here are some places I have got to know about in three recent trips up and down the Spanish / Portuguese west coast, staring from the north:

In Spain:

1) La Coruna - two marinas, you can anchor off the new marina behind the breakwater.

2) Portosin and Muros in the first ria after Cape Finisterre both offer anchorages and marinas. Watch out for unmarked and unlit rocks in the middle of the entrance to the ria. Portosin's restaurant in the Yacht Club can be recommended!

3) Vigo and Bayona - many anchorages. Watch out though for some national parks where permits are required.

In Portugal:

1) Sao Martinho de Porto - well protected anchorage.

2) Ilha Berlenga - you can anchor here but need good weather, protection mainly from the W to N.

3) Cascais - good anchorage just past the entrance to the marina in N winds.

4) Sagres on the Algarve - good and protected anchorage in winds from the W to NE.

5) Alvor (2M east of Lagos) - perfect anchorage for a cat, actually my most preferred place on the Algarve. Beware of the sandbanks, best to enter initially at lowish water and proceed to Alvor pool.

6) I did not like nor feel safe for anchoring in the Faro / Alhoa lagoon.

Back to Spain:

4) Cadiz is worth a stop.

5) You can anchor off Tavira, either east of west of the little peninsula / breakwater depending on wind direction.

6) La Linea - it is possible to anchor behind the harbour breakwater but the marine police try to push people out or into the new quite empty marina.

AND FINALLY:
Beware of the 2012 tuna nets which have been laid
- S of Cabo Roche
- N of Cape Trafalgar
- Off Barbate
- Off Zahara
- W of Tarifa

[conachair]

Originally Posted by petefrob

We have picked up our Lagoon 450 in Les Sables d'Olonne and then sailed to La Rochelle, where we will stay for the next seven days. At the moment we are berthing in Port de Plaisance, marina in La Rochelle.

We don't have any fixed plans yet, except that we will sail to Gibraltar and then to head further south.

We are keen to avoid over populated and touristy marinas and would prefer anchorages.
Does anyone could help with locating good overnight anchorages?

Any info on anchorages along French/Spanish and Portuguese Atlantic coasts would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Pete and Vess

Worth having a look on this site..

JimB Sail | Helping Skippers plan European Cruises

[barnakiel]

Get Imray's relevant almanac(s). They are well worth it and give descriptions and chartlets of the anchorages and marinas along the way.

Biased views:

We sailed the whole stretch and did not find anything too spectacular.

As someone noticed above anchorage at Islas Cies is fine (but avoid weekends) as is Cadiz.

You may like like to spend some time in the Rias while down South from Baiona there are fewer options.

All the way down, beyond Sao Vincente, you will find a mix of anchorages on lagoons and marinas - both Portuguese and Spanish. And one can go up the Guadalquivir too - except that going all the way to Sevilla can be an overkill (Sevilla is well worth a visit but it is better to stay on the coast and visit by car / train /etc..

Many boats sailing onwards stop in one or more of Maroc ports. Essaouira, where the harbour is less than agreeable, is claimed to have the best market and old town. Otherwise there are nice things to see there, inland.

Cheers,
b.

[Sten]

don't miss rio guardiana (the river seperating spain and portugal). its navigable at least 30 nm upriver to alcutim and in our opinion by far the nicest place on the entire coast. must disagree on earlier remarks conserning faro lagoon, isla culatra should not be missed. cheers sten (pt seville)

[Sten]

..... and furtheremore: north galicia is rough but in a cat do visit Santa Martha de Ortiguera its fantastic even if a bit difficult to approach but follow guidelines in galicia pilot. also Cedeira has a nice, easily accessible Anchorage and Viveiro is nice. all southern Galicia is a perfect cruising ground well worth a couple of months in spring, enjoy Sten

[petefrob]

Thank you Stan for this. We will definitely follow your advice.

Pete & Vess

[petefrob]

Just wish to say BIG THANKU to all of you who gave your time and a knowledge to reply to us.

Cheers,
Pete & Vess

[monte]

keep us posted Pete & Vess
we are looking forward to following your route in May with Roger. Will be interested to hear your experiences along that coastline.
Rob and Jen

[conachair]

Some handy info about the Guadiano in here n The Guadiana to Mertola

Lovely river.

[joemac4sail]

If you can take your time on the north coast of Spain you will really enjoy what is a special part of Spain. Don't rush to the med and warmer climes. Along the Portuguese coast a cat will allow you to visit old ports that are now not accessible by deep keelers. The immray guides to the Spanish and Portuguese coast are money well spent. Regards Joe