Machico
Baía de Machico · Porto de Machico · Machico Bay
32°42.9'N 16°46.1'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 4–8m on sand. Good holding. E/SE exposure is the main limitation — the Ponta de São Lourenço partially mitigates E swell but direct SE is a departure trigger.
About This Anchorage
Machico is the second-largest town in Madeira (after Funchal), located in a natural bay on the NE coast. It is historically significant as the first landing place of the Portuguese discoverers of Madeira (João Gonçalves Zarco, 1419). The bay is sheltered from the prevailing NW/W conditions and provides a pleasant alternative to Funchal with a smaller, more authentic town atmosphere. The Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira's dramatic eastern peninsula (now a nature reserve), is accessible by land and provides spectacular clifftop walks. The anchorage is suitable for overnighting in settled NE trade conditions.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW
Exposed To
E · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free in bay; marina berthing at standard rates
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Registration at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt required. Contact Machico marina VHF Ch. 16 on approach.
Restrictions: Registration mandatory. E/SE exposure — depart immediately if E swell develops.
Hazards
- !E and SE exposure — any front from this direction requires immediate departure
- !Madeira airport (2nm W at Ponta do Garajau) creates aircraft approaches that pass very low over the bay approach; do not anchor near the aircraft approach path
Skipper's Tips
- →Ponta de São Lourenço nature reserve (E tip, 5nm by sea) is outstanding — dramatic fossil dunes, basalt stacks, and great snorkelling in the turquoise water
- →Machico town is far less tourist-oriented than Funchal — the fish restaurants and local bakeries are excellent and prices are lower
- →Airport runway extends into the sea on piles (Madeira airport expansion project) — approach from the E keeps you clear of the runway approach path
Facilities
Several restaurants in Machico town, known for traditional Madeiran cuisine including espetada and fresh fish.
Nearest provisions: Machico town (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Year-round in settled conditions. Summer NE trade wind provides shelter from the N/NW. E/SE forecast is the primary departure trigger.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
When Madeira's mountain winds kick up overnight, Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your position continuously. Porto Santo's 9km beach is stunning — but the E swell can make it uncomfortable.
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