Corvo (Vila do Corvo)
Corvo Anchorage · Porto do Corvo · Vila do Corvo
39°41.6'N 31°06.8'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m — limited anchoring room in the tiny harbour. Fair holding on sand/rock. Swell invariably present. Always have a plan to depart to Flores if conditions change.
About This Anchorage
Corvo is the smallest and most remote island in the Azores — 17km2, population ~450 — and the only island in the archipelago without a marina. The sole settlement, Vila do Corvo, is in the S of the island with a tiny harbour. Anchoring requires very settled weather and is fair at best — the harbour has no real shelter from multiple directions and invariable Atlantic swell is the norm. The island's caldera (Caldeirão) is a spectacular collapsed volcanic crater with a lake. Visiting Corvo is a genuine adventure and a badge of honour in the Azores cruising community. The stop is typically 24–36 hours in a settled weather window, then return to Flores for the security of a proper marina. There is no marina on Corvo — the entire island is a single municipality with one village.
Protected From
N · W
Exposed To
S · SE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: VERY SETTLED WEATHER ONLY. Check in with the local harbour official in Vila do Corvo — this is a remote community and the official is informal but should be notified. All vessels technically required to clear in/out; process is informal given the remoteness.
Hazards
- !NO MARINA: Corvo has no marina refuge — if conditions deteriorate, you must leave immediately for Flores; always have this departure plan ready
- !Invariable Atlantic swell in the harbour — persistent rolling; use snubber and long scope; check anchor set regularly
- !Extremely remote: no marine services, rescue response time is very long — self-sufficiency is essential
- !Multiple exposure sectors: only settled high-pressure windows are safe; any forecast deterioration requires immediate departure
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit Corvo as a day or overnight trip from Flores (15nm) during a settled high-pressure window of at least 36h — do not attempt without a solid forecast
- →The Caldeirão caldera is one of the most spectacular natural sights in the Azores — hire the island's one or two taxis for the 30-minute drive to the caldera rim
- →Corvo is the westernmost point of Europe (excluding uninhabited islands) — a genuine milestone for Atlantic cruisers
- →Carry all provisions, water, and fuel from Flores — nothing is available on Corvo beyond the basics
Facilities
One small restaurant/café in Vila do Corvo village — typically open for dinner only in season. Call ahead if possible to reserve.
Nearest provisions: Santa Cruz das Flores (15nm) (15nm)
Best Months & Season
July, August, September
July–September only. Corvo should never be attempted in unsettled conditions — the lack of a proper harbour makes it a fair-weather destination only. This is the most challenging anchorage in the Azores.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
Horta (Faial), Ponta Delgada (São Miguel), or Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira). Contact Capitania do Porto on arrival. Horta anchorage fee approximately 50% of marina rate. Marine Parks govern each island group — rules vary by island.:In the Azores, anchorages can become untenable quickly as Atlantic depressions pass. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position all night — essential when 900nm from the nearest mainland port.
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