Berlenga — Cova do Sonho
Cova do Sonho · Berlenga South Anchorage · Dream Cove
39°24.3'N 09°30.5'W
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 4–12m. Very limited swinging room — 2–3 boats maximum in this cove. Rocky bottom: trip line mandatory. Use as an alternative when the main SE anchorage has uncomfortable SE swell but N winds are settled. Same UNESCO rules as main Berlenga anchorage: max 48h, mooring buoy rules (Jul–Aug) if buoys available on this side.
About This Anchorage
Cova do Sonho ('Dream Cove') is the small anchorage on the southern side of Berlenga Grande — a secluded alternative to the main SE anchorage, particularly useful when northerly winds make the SE bay choppy with confused swell. The cove is rock-walled, tight, and atmospheric — the water is crystal clear and the solitude (when the main anchorage is crowded) extraordinary. The famous Furado Grande sea tunnel passes through the island nearby — a dinghy or kayak passage at HW in flat calm is one of the iconic Silver Coast experiences. The same Reserva Natural das Berlengas rules apply: no littering, no fires, no wildlife disturbance, maximum 48h stay.
Protected From
N · NE · NW
Exposed To
S · SW · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (same rules as main Berlenga anchorage — buoy fees Jul–Aug if buoys are installed on this side)
- Maximum stay
- 2 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Same rules as main Berlenga anchorage — contact Peniche Port Authority (VHF Ch. 16) before arrival.
Restrictions: UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE — all Berlenga reserve rules apply. Very limited space (2–3 boats). Rocky bottom throughout. Not suitable in SW or S swell. Same 48h maximum stay.
Setting Your Anchor
In Atlantic anchorages, use a minimum 7:1 scope — the combination of tidal range (up to 3.5m on spring tides) and overnight Atlantic swell requires generous chain deployment. Before settling, assess the swell period: long-period Atlantic swell (10–16 seconds) creates a slow roll that can walk the anchor across mixed sand/rock bottoms. At Berlenga — Cova do Sonho, anchor in 4–12m on sand bottom and set the alarm to 70m.
Hazards
- !Extremely limited swinging room — 2–3 boats maximum; anchoring with a bow line ashore (to a rock) is the standard technique here
- !Rocky bottom throughout — trip line mandatory; no clean sandy patches; anchor drag risk in gusts
- !SW and S swell penetrates directly — departure trigger at first sign of any southerly component in wind or swell
- !No shelter from the south; in SW weather this becomes a dangerous lee shore instantly
Skipper's Tips
- →Use as a quieter alternative to the crowded main anchorage when conditions are stable N/NE — peace and solitude even in high season
- →The Furado Grande sea cave passage by dinghy at HW in flat calm is a must-do: row through the tunnel from S to N to emerge in the main anchorage bay
- →Bring a bow line and kedge anchor — the standard technique in this tiny cove is to anchor with the bow facing out and a stern line to a rock
- →Snorkelling clarity here (often >25m) is even better than the main anchorage due to fewer boats and less disturbance of the sandy bottom
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Peniche town (10nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September
May–September in N/NE settled conditions only. This anchorage has a very narrow weather window — viable only in stable N winds with no southerly swell forecast. Not for overnight use unless confident in a 12h+ stable forecast. Winter: completely exposed in SW fronts.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep Peacefully at Berlenga — Cova do Sonho
Atlantic overnight swell and the Nortada can change conditions fast — a boat secure at anchor in the evening can be dragging by midnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously, alerting you the moment your anchor moves beyond 70m. Essential for Atlantic overnight anchorages where conditions change without warning.
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