Peniche
Peniche Marina · Anteporto de Peniche · Praia do Baleal
39°21.3'N 09°23.1'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m in 4–8m on good sand off Praia do Baleal. Nortada shelter good (peninsula provides lee). N/NE exposure is the limitation — any N swell requires moving to the marina or inner anchorage. Tidal range 3.5m: anchor in 6m minimum at HW to maintain 2.5m at LW springs.
About This Anchorage
Peniche is the principal mainland port serving the Berlengas archipelago — 10nm from Berlenga Grande — and one of the most important fishing ports on the Silver Coast. The town sits on a near-island connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, its fortress (now a museum) once used as a political prison during the Salazar dictatorship. Peniche has a working marina (full services, fuel, chandlery), an active fishing fleet, and excellent seafood restaurants. It is one of Europe's premier surf destinations — the Supertubos beach hosted the Portuguese leg of the World Surf League Championship Tour. The anchorage off Praia do Baleal (N of the peninsula) provides Nortada shelter and easy access to the marina for services before the Berlengas crossing.
Protected From
S · SW · W · SE
Exposed To
N · NE · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (beach anchorage); marina berthing fees apply at standard rates
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Contact Peniche Port Authority (VHF Ch. 16 / +351 262 780 130) on arrival for first port of call in Portugal. Keep harbour approaches and fishing boat channels clear. Porto de Peniche monitors Ch. 16. Anchoring within 200m of ferry dock prohibited (Berlengas ferry terminal).
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 Peniche, anchor in 4–10m on sand bottom and set the alarm to 75m.
Hazards
- !Tidal range 3.5m (spring) — anchor in minimum 6m at HW to maintain safe depth at LW; recalculate after anchoring
- !N/NE exposure off Praia do Baleal — any NE deterioration requires moving to the marina or inner anchorage; the marina is the safe overnight refuge in all but settled summer conditions
- !Surf at Supertubos — dinghy landing on the open beaches can be dangerous in any swell; use the marina dinghy dock instead
- !ORCA RISK — the Atlantic orca interaction zone covers this coast; check orcas.pt before the Berlengas crossing and before any offshore passage
Skipper's Tips
- →Peniche is the ideal preparation base for the Berlengas crossing — fuel, water, provisions, weather check (VHF Ch. 16), and Port Authority permit call all done here
- →The Berlengas ferry terminal (Viamar) operates a regular service to Berlenga in summer — useful for crew transfers or provisioning runs while the boat stays on anchor
- →Peniche chandlery on the harbour is well-stocked — spare anchors, chain, rope, and marine equipment available (essential backup before the offshore crossing)
- →Supertubos beach (2km from the harbour) is one of Europe's best surf breaks — world-class even by Atlantic standards; the WSL contest here is a spectacle worth timing a visit around
Facilities
Excellent seafood restaurants in Peniche town — percebes (goose barnacles), caldeirada (fish stew), fresh grilled fish. The morning fish market is outstanding. Supertubos surf culture has brought excellent cafés.
Nearest provisions: Peniche town centre (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
April–October. Peniche is a year-round working port — accessible in most conditions except severe Atlantic fronts from the NW or W. The marina provides all-weather refuge. The Berlengas crossing season is May–September (weather-dependent). The surf season peaks November–March (big Atlantic swells from the NW).
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep Peacefully at Peniche
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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