Sailing in Portugal 7 days

Day one: Seville to Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Travellers are met at 17:30 at Santa Justa rail station (AVE) or Seville airport as required. Minibus transfer to the Faro del Sur offices in Isla Cristina for welcome talk and briefing. Embarkation on 12m sailing yacht, allocation of cabins and purchase of supplies for week. Night in dock.

Day two: 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 three: 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 four: Tavira – Isla de Culatra (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 five: Ría Formosa – the central Algarve coast. It’s a mid-morning start today, with our destination the central Algarve coast. The leisurely pace allows us time for spotting dolphins and other cetaceans, and to enjoy the unique landscapes. Ocean conditions permitting, we will drop anchor in one of the natural bays and go snorkelling in the crystal clear waters. 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 six: 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 the small harbour in Vila Real at sunset with its intense reds, violets and blues to delight the senses. We spend the night in dock.

Day seven: free. Today you have time to explore Vila Real with its beaches surrounded by pine forrest and it’s nice city centre. Meet at the boat at 15:30 for the return trip to Seville. Estimated arrival time is 17:30.