Figueira da Foz
Mondego River Approaches · Figueira Anchorage · Rio Mondego
40°08.6'N 08°52.1'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m in 4–8m on sand/mud outside the dredged channel. Contact Figueira da Foz Port Authority (VHF Ch. 16) before anchoring — they will advise on channel traffic and safe anchoring areas. Strong tidal currents at the river entrance: anchor with good scope and allow for current-induced swing.
About This Anchorage
Figueira da Foz is the principal city and port at the mouth of the Mondego River — the largest river entirely within Portugal — 60nm north of Lisbon and an important waypoint on the Silver Coast passage. The city has a full-service marina, fuel, chandlery, and is an excellent provisioning stop. The river entrance has a commercial port handling bulk cargo and fishing vessels, with strong tidal currents and a dredged approach channel. The anchorage in the outer river approaches (outside the main channel) provides shelter from the Nortada. The town itself is a popular Portuguese beach resort with good restaurants and a casino. The Silver Coast here is characterised by vast beaches and backed by pine forest.
Protected From
W · NW · SW · N
Exposed To
E · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (outer approaches anchorage); marina fees apply
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: CONTACT FIGUEIRA DA FOZ PORT AUTHORITY (VHF Ch. 16) before anchoring in the river approaches — commercial port traffic and restricted areas. Keep 200m clear of the main dredged channel at all times. Tidal currents strong: 2 knots at springs. Figueira da Foz Marina (VHF Ch. 16) has visitor berths — recommended for overnight over open anchorage.
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 Figueira da Foz, anchor in 4–10m on sand bottom and set the alarm to 75m.
Hazards
- !Strong tidal currents at the Mondego River entrance (2 knots at springs on ebb) — approach on the flood; ebb against NW swell creates steep breaking seas at the bar in strong conditions
- !Commercial port shipping in the main channel — large bulk carriers use this port; keep 200m clear of the dredged channel at all times
- !Tidal range 3.5m — anchoring depth calculation essential; at LW springs, previously adequate depth may be insufficient
- !ORCA RISK — the Atlantic orca zone covers this coast; check orcas.pt before any offshore passage NW toward the Berlengas or S toward Peniche
Skipper's Tips
- →Contact Figueira da Foz Port Authority on VHF Ch. 16 before entering the river approaches — they will confirm safe anchoring areas and commercial traffic
- →The marina is the recommended overnight option over the open anchorage — good facilities, visitor berths, and shelter from all conditions including the Nortada
- →Figueira da Foz is an excellent provisioning stop (supermarkets, chandlery, fuel) — stock up here before the Silver Coast passage southward toward the Berlengas and Peniche
- →Enter the river on the flood (2h before HW) to benefit from fair tidal assistance into the marina — ebb current against the Nortada at the bar can be significant
Facilities
Good range of restaurants in Figueira da Foz city — seafood, traditional Portuguese, international. The Bairro Novo (new quarter) has excellent modern restaurants. Casino Figueira is a local landmark.
Nearest provisions: Figueira da Foz city centre (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
May–October. Figueira da Foz is accessible year-round as a port — the marina provides all-weather refuge. The anchorage in the outer approaches is summer-only (October–April Atlantic fronts make the exposed river entrance difficult). River bar conditions deteriorate rapidly in NW swells combined with strong ebb current.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep Peacefully at Figueira da Foz
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 75m. Essential for Atlantic overnight anchorages where conditions change without warning.
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