Flores Island Landfall Advice and Guide for Yachts

Flores, the most western and the most beautiful of the Azores islands, has little in the way of yachting facilities. If you require comforts like shore power or services like important repairs, refits or specialist chandlery, give it a miss.

Please avoid making arrangements like booking air travel or island tours before you are ashore. This should be common knowledge. Having commitments when you are at sea will place undue pressure on you. Your plan should be to arrive safely and take it from there.

If you arrive in fresh easterly winds, consider anchoring in Fajã Grande Bay on the West side of the island, you cannot clear in there but it will be more comfortable and safer until you get to Lajes Harbour or you move on. Keep in mind that Lajes Harbour is not well protected from easterly winds and swells.

Being low on diesel is not an emergency or distress situation unless you are a power driven vessel. Assistance may be rendered at full commercial rates.

First Come – First Served

Do not call the harbour or the harbourmaster in advance asking about berth availability. There are no reservations, we work on a first come first served basis and availability changes daily in the season.

Keep watch on VHF Channel 16/12. You can call Lajes Harbour on 16/12 as soon as you have visual contact . You may also be hailed by the harbour.

The harbour does not work 24/7.  If you arrive at night, do not enter the inner harbour, anchor in the bay, the depth is between 12 and 15m and the bottom is sand. You can anchor on either side of the new pier, giving it as much clearance as possible, commercial shipping manouvers in the basin and ties up there.

Be aware of the strong likelihood of having to anchor and prepare accordingly. An ocean going vessel is expected to have proper ground tackle and a working tender.

Fly the Q flag. Flying the Courtesy flag will also be appreciated.

We do not have a local office for the authorities to clear you in, so you might have to wait for hours for the police to arrive and do your paperwork.

Having long dock lines and plenty of strong fenders is very recommended. Yachts are commonly tied up to the wall and rafted up three deep, be prepared for that.

Don’t Wander Off Please!

If you enter the inner harbour without an assigned berth, which you should avoid and tie up in what looks like an available spot, please stay onboard until you are informed that you can stay on that spot. We know you want to stretch your legs, but please do not tie up and wander off.

We have limited space on the inner harbour.  Please understand that we would like to accommodate everyone but the harbour serves the fishermen and the local craft as well. Be aware that you may have to move from your berth or from your anchorage depending on the needs of the commercial shipping.

There are plans to start charging a fee to visiting yachts again this year, but as of March there is still no confirmation of this.

We wish you a safe and uneventful crossing and hope to meet in Flores this year!

Jorge Ventura
Assistant Harbour Master
Lajes das flores
Azores

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