7 días navegando por las Islas del Algarve portugués en velero

A week’s sailing along the Algarve coast among unspoilt islands, isolated beaches and traditional fishing villages

Algarve – Portugal – 7 days

Come aboard our sailing yacht and explore with us one of the most spectacular yet least known landscapes in southern Portugal. Wind your way up the River Guadiana between mountains and ancient fortifications as far Alcoutim.

Set full sail for Tavira and the Ría Formosa Natural Park with its islets and small fishing villages set amongst wetlands and windswept beaches. Look out for dolphins and other cetaceans along the central Algarve coast, and in the evenings relax beneath the brilliant hues of another glorious sunset. Set your course towards the horizon and drop anchor under the stars. Discover a world of sky and sea, wind and tides.

DEPARTURES 2020

3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, 24^th, 31^st July

7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th August

4^th, 11^th September

INCLUDED

Mini-bus transfer Seville – Isla Cristina – Seville

Itinerary of sailing yacht as programmed

Faro del Sur qualified skipper

Accommodation in double cabin. Shared facilities and activities with other clients

Sheets and towels

Port fees, anchorage in natural reserves and fuel

Short trips in motorised lifeboat

Insurance

NOT INCLUDED

Travel to Seville

Meals (met through common pool of approx 30€ per person for the week)

PRICE

795€

THE TRIP

THE ROUTE

If there is a holiday experience that really stays in the memory, then cutting through the waves aboard a sailing yacht is amongst the contenders. Since time immemorial sailors have savoured the feeling of discovery and solitude, harmony with nature and unfettered freedom which suffuses them as the wind fills their sails. We would like you to experience this feeling, if only for a few days, and to discover for yourself the magic of the open sea.

This is a tour for all those who enjoy the sea and the natural environment, who like nothing better than being under sail, observing at close quarters the fauna indigenous to the peninsula, and sharing the experience with their fellow voyagers.

It takes a varied route along a privileged coastline, which introduces all aboard to the other, unspoilt Algarve, untraded by the package tour crowds. There is a wealth of natural features to explore, from the long beaches of fine white sand, the dunes, wetlands and pine groves of the sotavento coast to the small bays and cliffs of the central coast.

There is, too, the chance to spot cetaceans and a wide variety of marine birds on the islands of Tavira and Culatra. Awaiting the traveller inland are the towns of Sanlúcar and Alcoutim, located on the banks of the River Guadiana, and on the Atlantic coast, Olhao and Tavira with centuries of maritime history in their streets.

The pace is unhurried, covering a total of 100 nautical miles, but plenty of opportunities for activity are on offer at each port of call, whether exploring on foot, snorkelling, fishing, or simply taking in the atmosphere. Sleeping is aboard the yacht surrounded by nature, the ideal point from which to watch the unbelievable sunsets for which this part of the world is justly renowned. Our cruises are all carefully designed with the client’s needs always uppermost, so as to give the best value for money. In addition, the Faro del Sur offices in Isla Cristina provide constant back-up.

Day 1

Seville to Isla Cristina.
Travellers are met at 5pm at Santa Justa rail station (AVE) or Seville airport as required. Minibus transfer to the Faro del Sur office for welcome talk and briefing.
Embarkation on our sailing yacht, allocation of cabins and purchase of supplies for week. Night in dock.

Day 2

Navigation up the River Guadiana.
Time to weigh anchor and set sail!.

Departing from the Isla Cristina wetlands we follow the coast to the mouth of the Guadiana. We follow the river north, taking in the historical Castro Marim fortress and winding our way past the whitewashed villages which lie scattered among the rolling sierra until we reach the picturesque town of Alcoutim. After an opportunity to explore its cobbled streets, we take the lifeboat across the river to its Spanish counterpart, Sanlúcar de Guadiana.

For the more adventurous possibly crossing by zip line from Spain to Portugal. We spend the night anchored beneath the walls of the fortifications which dominate the two towns.

Day 3

Alcoutim to Isla de Tavira. With the prevailing northerly winds in our sails we head downriver to rejoin the Atlantic.

This is a full day’s sailing with opportunities for trying ocean swimming, doing some fishing, or developing your sailing skills under the tutelage of our experienced skipper. In the afternoon we reach the island of Tavira where we dock with other yachts in the marina.

There is time to explore its deserted beaches, visit the historical town of Tavira, or simply relax with a drink on board. We spend the night anchored in the riverhead.

Day 4

Tavira – Ría Formosa Natural Reserve.
After breakfast, we proceed westwards under full sail to the group of uninhabited islands and wetlands making up the Ría Formosa Natural Reserve, one of Portugal’s foremost protected areas.

The reserve extends for 60kms along the coast, and features salt flats, streams, dunes and freshwater lakes which are home to a wide variety of aquatic and sea-faring birds. We anchor off Culatra Island, and use the more navigable lifeboat to explore the wetland landscape of windswept beaches and traditional fishing villages. We spend the night anchored between the Islands of Armona and Culatra.

Day 5

Ilha de Culatra.
Today we will spend the day enjoying this unique natural paradise. First of all we will approach with the dinghy to the Culatra Island where we will walk all over a pristine white sand beach with dunes and small fishing settlements with colourful boats balanced by the waves and wide marshes.
There will be options also to see birds as herons or pink flamingos. The afternoon sees us head back again to the Ría Formosa and Olhao, a picturesque town of narrow bustling streets with a distinct North African air. We spend the night off the nearby Farol beach.

Day 6

Ilha de Culatra. Today we will set sail early in the morning to head back to Spain.
A day of sailing under full sail before favourable winds, full of unforgettable feelings and experiences. We arrive at Guadiana Estuary at sunset with its intense reds, violets and blues to delight the senses.
We spend the night between the populations of Vila Real de Santo Antonio and Ayamonte.

Day 7

Guadiana Estuary – Isla Cristina. Today we will make a short navigation to Isla Cristina to enjoy the last swim in the open ocean. Meet at the boat for the return trip to Seville. Estimated arrival time is 5pm. .

To book your place, please contact us to check availability:

Delfines desde el velero de Faro del Sur

Sailing holiday in Portugal