Sesimbra (Lisbon Coast)
Baía de Sesimbra · Sesimbra Bay · Sesimbra Marina
38°26.5'N 09°05.9'W
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m in 5–10m. N orientation provides Nortada shelter. W/SW swell is the departure trigger. Tidal range 3.0m — anchor in adequate depth for LW.
About This Anchorage
Sesimbra is a beautifully preserved Portuguese fishing village 22nm south of Cascais and 38km from Lisbon — a favourite summer destination for Lisbon sailors. The N-facing bay provides good Nortada shelter. Excellent seafood restaurants in the village. The castle on the hill above the village is one of the best-preserved Moorish castles in Portugal. Cabo Espichel (6nm W) is a dramatic headland. This anchorage is also covered under the Arrábida region; it bridges the Lisbon Coast and Arrábida sailing areas.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · E
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No specific restrictions outside the marina. Fishing boat traffic active at night. W/SW exposure — departure trigger.
Hazards
- !W/SW Atlantic swell — Nortada swell can refract around Cabo Espichel into the bay
- !Fishing fleet traffic at night — keep harbour approach clear
Skipper's Tips
- →Excellent lunch stop on a Cascais → Arrábida passage — Sesimbra has good provisioning and fuel
- →Morning surf on the W side of the bay can be a problem for dinghy landing after any N swell
Facilities
Excellent seafood restaurants on the waterfront — percebes, barnacles, grilled fish.
Nearest provisions: Sesimbra village (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
May–October viable. Best in settled summer NW trades.
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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