Portugal’s Algarve coast has a handful of marinas, few capable of accommodating megayachts. Among them, Marina de Portimão wants to welcome even more. It’s adding more than a dozen additional berths, along with making a number of other improvements.
Currently, the marina, in the city of Portimão, has 620 moorings and can accommodate yachts to 164 feet (50 meters). Since the waters are deep, too, visiting yachts can have drafts to 13 feet (4 meters). Even with this, however, local and national officials determined more business was better. In fact, last week Portugal’s Secretary of State revealed the news about the marina expansion, alongside the marina manager, the city’s mayor, and Algarve tourism and development officials. A commissioned study shows that dozens of sailing and power superyachts are interested in stopping in Portimão. However, a lack of slips mean they cruise “to other marinas along the Mediterranean which have the capacity to welcome them,” according to the study.
Marina de Portimão plans to accommodate these yachts along an entirely new, fixed breakwater to its north side. Specifically, 18 yachts to 148 feet (45 meters) will be able to use it. Simultaneously, the marina is creating another fixed breakwater to the south, extending from a jetty already there. Although it’s for smaller vessels, to 66 feet (20 meters), the southern breakwater is an urgent need, as is the northern one. The currently operating floating breakwaters at the marina’s entrance fail to protect yachts in the basin during storms. Damage repeatedly occurs to the marina infrastructure, too, during storms.
Marina de Portimão also includes a private condo complex with a beach and pool that marina visitors can use. It further has a boatyard capable of lifting yachts to 300 tons. No timeline is available for the start of the expansion, nor its conclusion.
When it does conclude, though, visiting owners, guests, and crew have a lot to check out. Sitting along the Arade River, the marina offers protection from prevailing winds. It’s further in proximity to world-renowned beaches, historic forts and churches, and an old city center. Faro International Airport is a 30-minute drive as well. Along the waterfront, multiple restaurants serve grilled sardines, which have also earned the city renown.
In the meantime, the marina isn’t the only Portuguese facility its setting sights on superyachts. The new Nova Marina, coming to the Algarve coast, intends to welcome them when construction concludes later this year.
Marina de Portimão marinadeportimao.com
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