Sesimbra
Baía de Sesimbra · Sesimbra Bay
38°26.5'N 09°05.9'W
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m in 5–10m on sand. The N orientation of the bay is the key protection element. Good overnight anchorage in summer high pressure but departure trigger for any S, SW or W swell or wind.
About This Anchorage
Sesimbra is a beautiful Portuguese fishing village sheltered in a N-facing bay beneath the Serra de Sintra foothills — one of the most attractive coastal villages near Lisbon, only 40km south of the capital. The bay provides good shelter from the N Nortada (the hills deflect the prevailing wind) and is comfortable for an overnight stop in summer. The village has excellent seafood restaurants, a small marina, and the characteristic charm of an authentic Portuguese fishing community. The bay is backed by the dramatic clifftop Moorish castle (Castelo de Sesimbra). Exposed to S, SW and W — any forecast from these sectors requires departure to the N-facing shelter of the marina or Setúbal.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · E
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No specific anchoring restrictions outside the marina breakwater. Fishing boat traffic in/out of the harbour — keep the approach clear. The RCCPF Pilotage Notice advises of anchoring restrictions in the Rio Sado area (20nm E); those do not apply to Sesimbra bay itself.
Hazards
- !Exposed to SW and W swell — Atlantic groundswell from the W penetrates the bay and makes the anchorage uncomfortable; Nortada swell refraction around Cabo Espichel (6nm W) can be significant
- !Fishing boat traffic — fishing fleet based here operates at night and early morning; keep clear of harbour approach
- !SW and W exposure means the bay is untenable in autumn Atlantic lows — monitor Windguru carefully
Skipper's Tips
- →Great day stop and overnight in settled summer conditions — the waterfront restaurants are outstanding
- →VHF Ch. 16 to Sesimbra marina for visitor berth availability — a berth is preferable to anchoring in any questionable swell forecast
- →Cabo Espichel (6nm W) is a dramatic cape worth a dinghy detour on a calm morning — nesting colonies of yellow-legged gulls and peregrine falcons on the clifftops
- →Sesimbra has good supermarket provision and ATM — useful victualling stop on the Lisbon-Algarve passage
Facilities
Excellent range of seafood restaurants on the waterfront and in the old village — some of the best perceves, barnacles and grilled fish in the Lisboa region.
Nearest provisions: Sesimbra village (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
May–October. Summer is the best window with N-to-NW dominant Nortada keeping the bay calm. September and October: increasing risk of SW Atlantic swells. Winter is exposed and the anchorage uncomfortable.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
no anchoring. Partial Protection Zone: anchoring on sand/rock only (no Posidonia). Contact ICNF (pnarr@icnf.pt or +351 212 198 140) before visiting peak season (Jul–Aug).:In Arrábida's strict marine park, anchoring violations carry heavy fines. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your position so you know immediately if you drift over protected Posidonia zones.
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