Leixoes
From CruisersWiki
Leixoes, Portugal (Porto)
(Click links for more information) | |
| 41°10.50′N, 08°42.36′W |
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| Photo gallery |
| Local chartlet |
Leixoes is a large and rather grubby commercial harbour situated next to the suburb of Matosinhos, NW of Porto, the 'second city' of Portugal. In any winds from the north, your yacht will be covered with deposits from the oil refinery to the north of the harbour and, regardless of wind, your waterline will probably collect a film of gunge within hours of arrival. The harbour does however have a sheltered marina, Marina Porto Atlantico, with all the usual facilities and it is the most convenient place to leave a yacht for a visit to Porto. The marina is in the NE corner of the harbour, protected by a long concrete pier.
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
Local weather conditions?
Sources for Weather forecasts:
Coming from the north, the huge oil refinery of Petrogal Refinaria do Norte is conspicuous, two miles before you arrive at the harbour breakwater. From the south, a yachtt will pass the mouth of the Douro River just over two miles before the entrance to Leixoes. As with most harbours along this coast, there can be an uncomfortable swell at the entrance in strong winds and the outer breakwater should be given a wide berth. Least depths in the harbour are 4.0 metres.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Leixoes is a port of entry.
Berthing options
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- The Marina Porto Atlantico (www.marinaportoatlantico.net) has a total of 248 berths on finger pontoons. Depths at the pontoons range from 2.0 - 3.5 metres. Water and electricity at all berths. Toilets and showers. Laundry. WiFi. Fuel station. Crane (6.5T). Small chandlery. Call Marina Porto Atlantico on channel 09 or telephone: +351 22 9964895. E-mail: [email protected]. Marina office is open daily 09.00 - 12.30 and 14.00 - 1830. If no response, berth on the reception pontoon (immediately to the left on entering the marina) and wait for the office to re-open.
- There are three yacht clubs in the marina, which are jointly reponsible for its management. The one at the NW corner of the marina, next to a small chandlery, has a reportedly good restaurant.
Anchorages
None. It is not allowed to anchor in the harbour.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
Most engineering and electrical repairs can be arranged through the marina office. Good sailmaker within a short taxi ride.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station in the marina. Water and electricity at all berths.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The city of Porto is the second largest in Portugal and one of the country's most historic, a status which won it recognition in 1996 as a World Heritage Site. Among its numerous attractions are the old fishermen's quarter of Ribeira on the north bank of the Douro river, a maze of narrow streets and old houses with colourful facades. From here one can walk across the Dom Luis I bridge (which has fabulous views over the river) to the district of Vila Nova De Gaia, renowned as the centre of the port wine industry. Several of the port houses here do regular tours for visitors, for which advance booking might be required at busy periods. Some of the well-known port houses still maintain their traditional barcos rabelos boats, which were once used to transport wine down the Douro river to their cellars. Among the city's architectural attractions are the magnificent Baroque church of Sao Francisco, with its amazingly ornate gilded wood interior, and the almost equally impressive Renaissance church of Santa Clara near Porto's monumental 12th century cathedral (also worth a visit). To relax after a day's frantic sightseeing, walked up through the old town to the gardens of the Palacio Cristal, which is a lovely and peaceful spot to enjoy the evening sun. Hidden at one corner of the gardens is the delightful Solar do Vinho do Porto, a tasting centre with over 100 different ports to sample. Try a glass or three of the delicious Fonseca Scirocco Extra Dry on its sunlit terrace.
Ribeira district, Porto |
Grocery & Supply Stores
Eateries
- In Leixoes, several bars and restaurants around the marina. Better restaurants in the village across the main road - the Restaurant Garrafao, sited in an imposing quinta-style house overlooking the bay, is especially good.
- In Porto, the Café Majestic in Rua Santa Caterina (the main pedestrianised shopping street) is a famed art deco establishment and does a good lunch.
Internet/WiFi
In the marina.
Laundry
In the marina.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
Bins in the marina.
Transportation
Buses leave from outside the marina for the centre of Porto. The airport, with flights to most European capitals, is a short taxi ride away.
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
Publications, Guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
- We spent four nights here in April in a near gale from the NW and our boat was covered us with dust from the local refinery (which clung to our running rigging until the end of the season!). However, it beats trying to anchor in the River Douro and at least your boat is safe - 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 18:34, 22 March 2010 (UTC)
Contributors to this page |
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Names: Athene of Lymington |
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| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | North Atlantic | Portugal | Leixoes | |
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