Porto (Oporto) - Docking
The deep water channel is on the north side of the river.
The floating pontoon in Gaia on the south bank of the Douro River no longer exists. Just to the east of Porto, on the north bank and past the Via de Cintura Interna road bridge is the Marina do Freixo, run by the Sport Club do Porto. It may be possible to find a berth there.
The Douro Marina (photo courtesy of Kieran Higgs) is located on the south bank of the river. It does, unfortunately, suffer from swell from passing tour boats.
Call ahead to reserve a berth – the staff speak excellent English. You will be met close to the marina entrance and guided to your berth where staff will be waiting to take lines.
See Leixoes for information on local repair facilities.
Last updated June 2017.
Douro River Sailing
The river Douro and its valley is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and is navigable 208km to the Spanish border thanks to 5 dams with locks.
There are height restrictions (7.2m), however, removing the mast is worth it if you intend to take time to explore this wonderful river. The marina at Povoa de Varzim has the necessary facility to have the mast removed at a low cost.
After two locks, 90km upriver at Régua, depth in the locks reduces to 2m, so this may be as far as most will manage.
The river (or Canal as it’s referred to in Portuguese) has over 50 different docks and many marinas.
The Dam Locks have daily timetables that can be obtained from the port authority on arrival at Oporto.
Procedures:
1. Request by phone (+351) 254 320 022 permission to pass a lock and timetable (English spoken). You can book just one lock, or book a series of locks. Note, in a few months this procedure should change so that booking is possible online or by e-mail and no phone call required.
2. Confirm by email: suporte.ris@apdl.pt or fax: 254 320 023 the time of passage that was previously agreed and send a copy of the boat registration by 12h30 (1 working day before).
3. Pay at an ATM NIB: 0781 0112 0000000 6264 97
or by bank transfer: IBAN: PT 50 0781 0112 0000000 6264 97 SWIFT CODE: IGCPPTPL
4. Send a copy of the receipt to suporte.ris@apdl.pt or fax 254 320 023 with Name, Contact Details and Name and Registration of your vessel.
Lock Tax:
Length 6m: €6.14
Length 6-12m: €12.28
Length +12m: €24.54
Use of the lock outside the scheduled timetable costs €122.70.
If a boat is late for a scheduled lock booking, the lock will wait a limited amount of time depending on traffic. If you call they will wait longer (traffic depending) or you will have to re-book.
Any extra information or request refer to the canal authority, they are friendly and accommodating and have a department focused on developing recreational sailing in the river.
Website:
The website is in Portuguese, however, an English and French version are coming.
Last updated February 2017.
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Related to following destinations: Atlantic Coast (Portugal), Porto (Oporto), Portugal
Port Navigation
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We did spend a few days at Douro Marina; Did not get the chance to get a reply either by Phone or VHF on our arrival day, but we did meet the staff when we arrived. Very friendly and good English speaking. We have every day the bread delivered at our boat. The Marina office can arrange a shuttle to the big supermarket nearby. Fast WIFI connection.
No, did not suffer from the swell coming from the river; It seems that they have added some protection around the marina.
Going to Porto city is easy either with the boat to cross the river and then old yellow tram that follows the Douro river, or with a cab.
Asked for berth availability by email a couple of days ahead and received immediate response. Staff was at the marina entrance after having called them on Ch09. All marina personal was extremely friendly and helpful. Small fisher town close by was great for provisioning and having some local food, e.g. fish bbq. Absolut great place to stay to explore Porto and worth the money you have to pay.
Called on VHF Ch9 and were advised to wait, dinghy came out to meet us and 4 men helped us into our berth. Great service. Bread rolls arrived in our cockpit each morning.
This was an expensive marina compared to other marinas but we received full instructions on how to get into Porto and all the various transport links. Good security and good recycling facilities.
We didn’t have any swell but we’re moor fed on Pontoon D and not on the outer pontoon.
As with most Atlantic coast ports in Portugal, you can expect to have to dodge a seemingly endless maze of pots and lines to ensnare your prop. The river entrance appears scary but is actually very safe, it is just Atlantic rollers hitting the sea walls.
Call ahead to reserve a berth – the staff speak excellent English. You will be met close to the marina entrance and guided to your berth where staff will be waiting to take lines.
If needed, they will move other boats and cleats to fit you in so remember pulpit and davits when giving your length! BBQ fish in the village is a must.
Not so happy as the other comments here. We just wanted to stay 1 or 2 night, but without warning, they closed the entrance. The weather was not so bad so we were very surprised.
We had to change all of our plans and ended up staying there for 14 days. Very expensive. A lot of swell and noise during the nights so we did not sleep well.
Excellent service in this marina, fresh bread free supplied to the boat every morning. Very helpfull staff. Unfortunately, berths are not free of swell.
Thumbs up for Marina Douro!
Just left 2 days ago, stayed 6 days and despite a full week of 49ers Wolrd Championship, place very quiet, no surge, swell or wash whatsoever 🙂
Had a mishap, during our absence and got hit by motorboat requiring haulout and repairs. Again, thumbs up for Douro Yacht on site. Very competent and professional, in all kind of repairs, hauls, engine, paint, etc.
Mme Eugenia at marina reception went out of her way to help settling this incident.
Great stay, most recommended. Very good value moreover with voucher from Viana do Castelo previous stay.
Also, well located to visit Porto. Excellent, affordable options to get around.
Recommended.
Very good Marina. Catamarans pay the same prices, only the length matters. You will get a discount after 3 days and more after 7 days. Very nice and helpful staff. They even bring you freerolls every morning to your boat.
If you need training, especially with catamarans, ask for Raul at the Lagoon office or go directly to José at “Feeling Douro” – they are very helpful.
Nice Marina, you can get a 20% discount if you ask for a voucher at the marina of Viano do Castelo. Douro Marina can give a voucher with 20% discount on the marina’s Oeiras, Troia, Lagos, Porto Santo and Quinta do Lorde (Madeira), but you have to ask for it.