São Martinho do Porto
S. Martinho do Porto · Lagoa de São Martinho · Baía de São Martinho
39°31.7'N 09°09.2'W
Depth
1–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m in 2–4m inside the lagoon. Excellent all-round shelter once inside — this is the most sheltered natural anchorage on the Silver Coast. However: the bar entry requires HW ±2h with swell < 0.5m. At LW springs the bar dries completely — do not get caught inside on a falling tide without plan. Tidal range ~3m inside: at LW you may have <1m under keel in 2m anchoring depth.
About This Anchorage
São Martinho do Porto is one of the most remarkable natural harbours on the Portuguese Atlantic coast — a near-circular lagoon (almost perfectly round when seen from the hills) with a very narrow bar entrance, providing all-round shelter from the Atlantic once inside. The lagoon is described in the RCCPF Atlantic Spain and Portugal pilot as 'one of the most sheltered anchorages on this coast.' The bar dries at LW and the entrance is hazardous — half-tide rising, swell < 0.5m, and ideally local knowledge are required. Inside, the town of São Martinho do Porto has restaurants, cafés, and accommodation. Very popular with Portuguese holidaymakers in summer. The lagoon is too shallow for deeper-draught yachts at LW springs.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · S · SE · SW · W · E
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (anchor in the lagoon subject to depth and tidal constraints)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: BAR ENTRY: Enter only at half-tide rising with swell < 0.5m and no significant NW wind. Bar position shifts — check with local fishermen or harbour master at the entrance. Speed limit inside the lagoon: 4 knots. Very busy with swimming and beach users in summer — keep wash down. Contact Peniche Port Authority (VHF Ch. 16) for any navigational updates on the bar.
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 São Martinho do Porto, anchor in 1–4m on sand bottom and set the alarm to 55m.
Hazards
- !BAR ENTRY: Dries at LW — entry only at half-tide rising (HW −2h minimum); swell < 0.5m required; bar position shifts after storms; always check locally
- !Very shallow inside (1–4m) — tidal range ~3m; at LW springs, a boat in 2m anchoring depth may have <0.5m under keel; calculate tidal heights meticulously
- !Summer crowds: very busy in July–August with small boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and swimmers — no wake, slow speed throughout the lagoon
- !Getting trapped inside at neaps: if bar shoals further (storm sand movement), you may be unable to exit until a higher HW or calmer swell — monitor and plan exit
Skipper's Tips
- →Time arrival for HW −1.5h — this gives you enough water on the bar plus time to settle before the tide drops
- →Check the bar from the cliff above the town before entering (5-minute walk from the beach) — the channel is visible from above and locals can advise on the best line
- →The anchorage inside is a genuine gem in the right conditions — calm, beautiful, all-round shelter; a very different experience from the exposed Silver Coast beaches
- →Draught limit: vessels drawing >2m should only enter at HW neaps or not at all — check tidal height vs draught carefully with the Portuguese tide tables (hidrografico.pt)
Facilities
Several restaurants and cafés around the lagoon waterfront — traditional Portuguese fish dishes, excellent fresh seafood, caldeirada. The waterfront promenade is a summer favourite with Portuguese families.
Nearest provisions: São Martinho do Porto village (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September. Best in settled summer high-pressure when bar swell is minimal. Bar entry is weather-dependent — can be impossible in NW swell even in summer. The lagoon itself is excellent all-round shelter but the bar is the critical gating factor.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep Peacefully at São Martinho do Porto
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 55m. Essential for Atlantic overnight anchorages where conditions change without warning.
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