Cascais Bay
Baía de Cascais · Cascais Marina · Enseada de Cascais
38°41.7'N 09°24.9'W
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m in 4–10m on excellent sand. Calculate tidal height — in 4m at HW, the spring tide LW leaves only 0.5–1m under the keel. W/SW swell is the main hazard; marina (0.3nm) provides immediate refuge.
About This Anchorage
Cascais Bay is the quintessential anchorage on the Estoril Riviera — 25km west of Lisbon, the bay is sheltered, sandy, and backed by the charming whitewashed town of Cascais with its restaurants, cafés, and royal associations (the Portuguese royal family summered here). Marina de Cascais (38°41.7'N 9°25.0'W) is one of Portugal's premier marinas — 655 berths, full services, and fuel available. The bay anchorage offers excellent summer conditions with the NE/N orientation providing the Nortada shelter. W/SW exposure is the key limitation — Atlantic fronts require immediate marina refuge. The tidal range (3.5m springs) is significant — calculate depths carefully. A fabulous base for day sailing the Estoril Coast.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
W · SW · S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free; marina berthing at standard Cascais Marina rates
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No specific anchoring restrictions in the bay outside the marina breakwater. Keep the marina approach channel clear. Portuguese Coast Guard (AMN) monitors VHF Ch. 16. Register arrival with marina (VHF Ch. 16) for non-EU vessels.
Hazards
- !Atlantic swell from W/SW penetrates the bay — any forecast deterioration from W/SW requires moving to Marina de Cascais immediately
- !Tidal range 3.5m at springs: anchor in minimum 6–7m to avoid grounding on LW springs; recalculate depth after anchoring
- !Nortada can be F5–6 by noon — chain/snubber essential; boats swing aggressively in the Nortada; keep adequate swinging room
- !Very busy in July–August with day boats from Lisbon; anchor well clear of the marked swimming zones
Skipper's Tips
- →The morning before the Nortada builds is the best window for day sailing to Sesimbra or Arrábida — depart 08:00, return 17:00 as the wind dies
- →Marina de Cascais (VHF Ch. 16) is the sensible base for any night when a W/SW forecast exists — the harbour swell can be uncomfortable even inside the breakwater
- →Cascais town is excellent for provisioning, crew changes (train to Lisbon Cais do Sodré in 40 minutes), and chandlery
- →The Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth) blowhole 2nm W of the marina is worth a morning walk from the anchorage — spectacular in any swell
Facilities
Outstanding range of restaurants in Cascais town — seafood, traditional Portuguese, international cuisine. The Cascais Municipal Market (Mercado da Vila) near the marina has fresh fish and local produce daily.
Nearest provisions: Cascais town (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
May–October. July–August is peak Nortada season — reliable afternoon winds, busy marina, excellent beach conditions in the bay. May–June and September–October are less crowded with lighter Nortada. Winter: Atlantic fronts make the bay unreliable for sustained anchoring.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
With a 4m tidal range and Atlantic swell, Cascais Bay conditions change fast overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor drags.
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