Horta Marina (Faial)
Marina de Horta · Horta · Faial Marina
38°31.9'N 28°37.5'W
Depth
10–30m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m in 10–25m. Anchorage is deep by anchoring standards — use at least 5:1 scope with generous catenary. Strong tidal currents in the Faial Channel may cause yawing at anchor.
About This Anchorage
Horta on the island of Faial is one of the world's great cruising waypoints — the mandatory stopover for Atlantic trans-ocean sailors heading E–W or W–E. The marina has hosted sailors since the early 20th century; Peter Cafe Sport has been providing weather routing, mail, and cruiser services for over 100 years. The harbour walls are covered in hundreds of boat insignia paintings — tradition holds it's bad luck to leave without adding yours. The marina (240 berths) is invariably packed May–July with trans-Atlantic arrivals; rafting is common. The anchorage S of the pier charges approximately 50% of the marina rate. The neighbouring island of Pico (6nm away) is the most dramatic in the Azores — the Pico volcano at 2,351m dominates the view. Full clearance port for non-EU arrivals.
Protected From
N · NW · W · NE
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- ~50% of marina rate — contact VHF Ch. 09 for current rates
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Contact Horta Marina on VHF Ch. 09 before anchoring. Immigration and customs clearance available at Horta for non-EU vessels (full port of entry). All vessels must clear in/out with GNR Maritime Police. No sailing permit required within the Azores once cleared in. Mandatory pilotage via VHF Ch. 16 on approach.
Hazards
- !Tidal currents in the Faial Channel (between Faial and Pico): flood runs N, ebb pulls strongly into the anchorage area — anchor with generous scope and catenary
- !Deep anchorage (10–25m) requires significant chain — a minimum of 60m chain is recommended for safe scope in the deeper zones
- !May–June peak: marina full, rafting common, anchoring area congested — contact marina before arrival for berth status
- !Faial is an active volcanic island (most recent eruption 1957–58); minor seismic activity is normal and does not represent a sailing hazard
Skipper's Tips
- →TRADITION: Paint your boat insignia on the marina breakwater wall — this tradition has existed since the 1980s and is considered essential by the cruising community
- →Peter Cafe Sport (+351 292 292 327) is the place to check in, get weather routing information, collect mail, and connect with other sailors — visit within the first hour of arrival
- →Contact the marina (VHF Ch. 09) 24h before arrival to arrange a berth — in peak season (May–June) the marina fills daily and pre-arrival contact is essential
- →The inter-island ferry and fast ferry to Pico is an excellent day trip — Pico's lava field UNESCO World Heritage vineyard landscape is unique
Facilities
Full range of restaurants in Horta town. Peter Cafe Sport (legendary cruising institution) offers weather routing, mail, provisions information. Bar Canto da Doca popular with sailors.
Nearest provisions: Horta town supermarket and market (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–June: peak trans-Atlantic arrival season, overwhelmingly busy but energetic and social. July–September: calmer, more space, excellent conditions for island hopping. October–April: quiet, off-season, some facilities reduced hours. Azores receives Atlantic storms in winter — marina shelter is essential.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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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