Sines - General Info
Jan 2024: Sines Marina (Porto de Recreio de Sines) remains closed to visitors due to safety concerns and associated repairs. There is no confirmed date for re-opening. The adjacent anchorage is still available with landing on the beach.
Description:
This port is a useful haven, being halfway between Lisbon and Cape St. Vincent. Although a small industrial town with a commercial port, the marina is adjacent to a clean sandy beach nestled below the delightful Old Town. It´s quite a hike up, but well worth it for the views.
The town’s claim to fame is that Vasco de Gama was born in Sines castle. His statue proudly overlooks the harbor.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
If approaching from the north, beware of the submerged outer breakwater marked with a red buoy. Do not cut inside this buoy as the remains of the old breakwater actually extend out beyond the marker.
Position:
37°55.99’N, 08°52.99’W (harbor entrance)
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Related to following destinations: Atlantic Coast (Portugal), Portugal, Sines
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PS: May 2020 during the coronvirus crisis.
I was unable to leave Sines in early 2020 to sail north to Porto due to the virus crisis (the marina was shut anyway).
Note that the 6-month berthing price (995euros for me: 10mx 3.6m) applies all year round regardless of low/high season, whereas the 3-month high-season rate (June to August only) is 347e/month. On top of this, if you pay 6 months then leave earlier than expected, they reimburse 75% (before 3 months) or 60% (after 3 months). This makes the 6-month price a really attractive option if you are not sure how long you want to stay.
Sines is a pleasant place and an excellent, affordable base for exploring southern Portugal by car. The bus ride to Lisbon airport is cheap and easy if you fancy a trip back home.
A small, friendly marina with easy access in all weather and conveniently located between Lisbon and Cape St Vincent. I arrived in mid-September and left my boat (10m x 3.6m) here for the winter 2019: <1000 euro for 6 months, with cheap extensions possible (less than half the price of anywhere on the Algarve coast (Albufeira, Portimao...)). The helpful harbour office is open until late 7 days a week; everyone speaks English and sometimes French. The showers are fine, and there is a launderette for boat owners (get tokens from the office). The outer commercial harbour is wide open to the SW, but storms from that direction are rare. The marina is behind a very large (oversized?) wall so it is well protected from that direction, but I supect the mooring lines will work hard when big winter winds come from the N/NW. Beware: the marina is tiny, half filled with small fishing boats. Only 3 pontoons for yachts up to 12m plus a few places for larger boats, including 1 or 2 catamarans. So if you want a long-term space, you must phone ahead (I think I got the very last berth!).
If the marina is full, there is lots of free anchoring space over sand in front of the castle near the lovely beach - open to the SW, but fine in good weather. The town lacks interest and is an upward trek (there is a public elevator along the seafront visible from the marina). Only a couple of small supermarkets, not cheap, and all fresh vegtables and fruit are curiously horrible. Cheap buses to Lisbon, etc.
We anchored near the marina and along the beach for the night on our way to Cape St Vicent. Good protection
Dec 07, 2018 07:00 PM
Very well maintained marina, excellent facilities with even an ATM in the marina building. Nautical shop owner has very good service. Internet is a bit unsteady and to slow when you need to download big data for charts. Lovely town with nice views. In wintertime €14,- a night for max 12m boat. Nice nautical bar only 7 minutes walk east behind the marina building.
We tried anchoring but was pretty rocky and due to the weather we decided to go in the marina.
Note: Lindsay’s comment refers to domestic clearance, not international clearance.
As with most towns in Portugal, we have found that if you are anchored, the marina says they won’t clear you in, nor is it necessary.
On top of this, we have been told by the maritime police that there is no need to visit them if we are on anchor.
The marina is very good with excellent facilities and with a very reasonable price. When the wind is from north (the “nortada”) the approach to the fingers is difficult.
I experienced this in late August 2014. If I could anticipate this difficulty I would prefer to put the anchor outside the marina still well protected by the outer and inner moles.
Wifi reception all over the place with acceptable reception even at anchor.