Portugal Sailing and Adventure in Andalusia

DAY 1.- Transfer from Sevilla to Isla Cristina. Meeting point for all groups is Sevilla airport at 17:00. If people arrive earlier, they could visit on their own Sevilla Old City Centre, both very interesting. We arrive to Faro del Sur offices and we have a meeting about the different activities we are going to accomplish. Accomodation at our apartments.

DAY 2.- TOURING KAYAK. Taking advantage of high tide and after receiving a short training about how to manage into the kayak, we get into the marshes world where we will enjoy a unique ecosytem. Several areas of salt plants mixed with swaps and navigation channels that we cross, slowly, enjoying fauna and flora diversity… Ancient mills, fishing port, shore carpenters, the fish market…Smells and flavors that we thought we had already lost. You do not need previous experience for going in kayak; the only requirement is being able to swim. Route takes 4 to 5 hours. Rest of the day is free.

DAY 3.- DOÑANA PROTECTED AREA. One of the most awaited days for bird lovers. We will be leaving early in the morning with our biologist and guide to tour the landscape of this protected natural area. Doñana is a vital stopover, breeding and wintering ground for many birds, and over 360 different species seen at various times of year. We will start our birdwatching in the well-known village of El Rocío, where the marshes become waterlogged with the first autumn rains, flooding the clay soil and creating a fantastic place for spotting waders such as flamingos and other animal species such as wild horses and organically farmed livestock. You can also see a huge variety of birds of prey on the wing, such as kites, western marsh harriers and if we are luky, the spectacular western imperial eagle. We will then visit various monitoring centres, such as La Rocina and Acebuche. In the afternoon, we will get close to Natural Park Dunas del Asperillo by taking a path that will get us to a desert beach. After that, we make our way back to Isla Cristina.

DAY 4.- PORTUGAL BY BICYCLE. Today we take the bicycles and go to the Portuguese Algarve. We cross the marshes by a Coastal Green Track, between former salt plants and tidal mills, as to reach the lovely town of Ayamonte. We wait the ferry at the dock as to cross Guadiana river and reach Portugal. These Natural parks and reserves are privilege places for observing fauna and flora. We stroll around Vila Real de Santo Antonio, a charming village, and continue by river bank until the river‘s mouth to Atlantic ocean. We will rest at one of the lonely beaches where you might swim. Go back to Isla in the afternoon.

DAY 5.- SAILBOAT. Today we go sailing in our sailing boat. If weather conditions are good we will go to open ocean and we will begin to adapt to our next trip, several days sailing at the south of Portugal.

DAY 6.- HIKING IN SIERRA DE ARACENA NATURAL PARK. Very early in the morning the van picks us up and we go to the north to Castaño del Robledo, a mountain village. From this point we make a gentle walk through paths and tracks that, even today, small white villages. This route crosses mountains, chestnut forests and also pastures of cork oaks and holm oaks where the Iberian porks run freely. In the afternoon, after enjoying the gastronomy, we will have a glimpse to the Rio Tinto mines. Then we go back to Isla Cristina.

DAY 7.- SHIPPING ON THE BOAT. ¡The day has come! Today we will be shipping on our sail boat of 12m length, where we will be the next 7 days. We will fit at our cabins and we’ll buy the groceries for the week. Night on board at Isla Cristina Docks.

DAY 8.- NAVIGATION UP THE RIVER GUADIANA. Time to weigh anchor and set sail!. Departing from the Isla Cristina wetlands we follow the coast to the mouth of the Guadiana. We follow the river north, taking in the historical Castro Marim fortress and winding our way past the whitewashed villages which lie scattered among the rolling sierra until we reach the picturesque town of Alcoutim. After an opportunity to explore its cobbled streets, we take the lifeboat across the river to its Spanish counterpart, Sanlúcar de Guadiana. We spend the night anchored beneath the walls of the fortifications which dominate the two towns.

DAY 9.- ALCOUTIM TO ISLA DE TAVIRA. With the prevailing northerly winds in our sails we head downriver to rejoin the Atlantic. This is a full day’s sailing with opportunities for trying ocean swimming, doing some fishing, or developing your sailing skills under the tutelage of our experienced skipper. In the afternoon we reach the island of Tavira where we dock with other yachts in the marina. There is time to explore its deserted beaches, visit the historical town of Tavira, or simply relax with a drink on board. We spend the night anchored in the riverhead.

DAY 10.- TAVIRA –THE RÍA FORMOSA NATURAL RESERVE. After breakfast, we proceed westwards under full sail to the group of uninhabited islands and wetlands making up the Ría Formosa Natural Reserve, one of Portugal’s foremost protected areas. The reserve extends for 60kms along the coast, and features salt flats, streams, dunes and freshwater lakes which are home to a wide variety of aquatic and sea-faring birds. We anchor off Culatra Island, and use the more navigable lifeboat to explore the wetland landscape of windswept beaches and traditional fishing villages. We spend the night anchored between the Islands of Armona and Culatra.

DAY 11.- CULATRA ISLAND – FAROL. Today we will spend the day enjoying this unique natural paradise. First of all we will approach with the dinghy to the Culatra Island where we will walk all over a pristine white sand beach with dunes and small fishing settlements with colourful boats balanced by the waves and wide marshes. There will be options also to see birds as herons or pink flamingos. The afternoon sees us head back again to the Ría Formosa and Olhao, a picturesque town of narrow bustling streets with a distinct north African air. We spend the night off the nearby Farol beach.

DAY 12.- ISLA DE CULATRA– VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTONIO. Today we will set sail early in the morning to head back to Vila Real. A day of sailing under full sail before favourable winds, full of unforgettable feelings and experiences. We arrive at Guadiana Estuary at sunset with its intense reds, violets and blues to delight the senses. We spend the night between the populations of Vila Real de santo Antonio and Ayamonte.

DAY 13.- GUADIANA ESTUARY – ISLA CRISTINA. Today we will make a short navigation to Isla Cristina to enjoy the last swim in the open ocean. Meet at the boat at 15:30 for the return trip to Seville. Estimated arrival time is 17:30.