Figueira da Foz

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Revision as of 19:49, 24 March 2013

Figueira da Foz, Portugal

(Click links for more information)
	40°09′N, 08°52′W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Figueira da Foz looking west - Click for larger view

Figueira da Foz is a coastal resort and harbour at the mouth of the River Mondego, 65 miles south of Leixoes and 45 miles north of Nazare in Portugal. It is the closest port to the historic Portuguese former capital of Coimbra 40 kilometers inland. An important centre of shipbuilding and manufacturing during the 18th and 19th centuries, the city (as it became in 1882) developed into a popular tourist destination during the 1920s and 30s and its two mile long sandy beach and renowned casino still attract legions of tourists today. In addition to accommodating a thriving fishing fleet, the port handles several thousand tonnes a year of woodpulp, paper and glass products for locally based manufacturers. Upriver of the port on the north bank in the heart of the town is a small marina which can accommodate yachts of up to 16 metres. Shelter in the river is good, but the entrance can be dangerous in strong onshore winds. With a very high swell, the port is closed altogether.

Charts

British Admiralty charts

3633

3634

3254

Portuguese charts

23201

24201

26401

Imray chart

C19

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

The prevailing winds along this coast are the northerly trade winds, which blow at force 4/5 most days during the summer. Occasional Atlantic depressions (thankfully rare during the summer) can bring strong onshore winds and heavy seas, in which case it would be unwise to attempt the entrance.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

Approach and Navigation

From the north, the entrance to the river, protected by two breakwaters, will be encountered about 2.5 miles after clearing Cabo Mondego. The suspension bridge upriver above the marina is conspicuous. From the south, the coniferous forests along the shore give way to the outlying suburbs of the city about a mile before the river entrance. Enter between the breakwaters on a course of 073°. The entrance is dredged to a minimum depth of 7.0 metres, but a swell builds up here in any onshore winds. Very strong onshore winds cause the swell to pile up in huge standing waves, making the entrance dangerous. Such situations are mercifully not encountered very often in summer, but it is not unusual for the harbour to be closed altogether during strong winter gales. Ideally, try to arrive at the entrance during the last two hours of a rising tide, when the river current will be largely counteracted by the tidal current. The marina entrance is about 750 metres upriver on the port side. If arriving on the ebb tide, beware of strong cross-currents which can cause eddies in the marina entrance. During spring ebb tides and especially in the winter months, it is not unknown for the currents in the river to reach as much as six knots.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Figueira da Foz is a port of entry.

Berthing options

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Marina de Figueira da Foz has a total of 350 berths on finger pontoons. The maximum length that can be accommodated is around 16 metres. Maximum draft 3.0 metres. Click on link for separate Wiki page.

• Two yacht clubs are close to the marina: Clube Mar de Coimbra (Tel: +351 914 157546) and Clube Nautico de Figueira da Foz (Tel: +351 233 428019).

Anchorages

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Some repairs can be organized through the marina office.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station in the marina. Water and electricity at all berths.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The town of Figueira da Foz is quite pleasant for a tourist resort and has one of the hugest beaches you are ever likely to see, but (unless you fancy a spin at the casino) is unlikely to take more than a morning of your time. The best day trip from Figueira is the ancient town of Coimbra, the former Portuguese capital, which can be reached via a regular train service. Coimbra is a maze of picturesque and steep streets, with lots of old Manueline houses in the old part of town. The university is one of the oldest in Europe, having been founded in 1290, and its architectural jewels include a sumptuous gilded library, a mediaeval chapel covered with azulejo tiles and a beautiful ceremonial hall. Don’t miss the impressive view from the gallery of the hall out over the River Mondego. Also worth a visit in Coimbra is the 16th century Monastery de Santa Cruz with its magnificent Manueline chapel and sacristy, with some more excellent examples of 17th century azulejo tiles.

The 13th century Coimbra University

Belltower, Coimbra University

Monastery of Santa Cruz, Coimbra

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Supermarket and shops close to marina.

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

• In the marina

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Bins in the marina.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

See Portugal.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• We entered Figueira da Foz in a SW 4/5 and it was a bit of a sleigh-ride (exciting but not dangerous). I wouldn’t want to do it in anything above force 5/6 unless it was from due north OR unless the breakwater extension has really made a difference - Athene of Lymington

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• April 2001 --Athene of Lymington 18:44, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

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