Sailing boat hire in Algarve

The Algarve is a fascinating area of Portugal to visit, given that it is on the coast, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and towering cliffs, with many spectacular caves and white sand beaches lining the coast.  With so many attractive qualities, it’s not hard to see why the Algarve is a much sought-after sailing destination.  No matter what your budget is, you can find an affordable vessel for you to charter either with or without a skipper, whether it be for a week, a day, or even just a few hours.  Flexible cancellation or date change up to 15 days prior to sailing on select boats, but you should ask the boat owner for the conditions of the specific boat.  This region has many picturesque villages waiting for you to explore them, from Portimao to Ayamante, and there are also plenty of hidden lagoons for you to discover.

The price of Algarve sailboat rental varies greatly depending on a number of different factors.  Some of these include the size of the boat, the number of people, the duration of your trip, and location of your charter.  Below is a list of prices based on location.

In Vilamoura and Portimao, sailboat prices will typically start from around £182 for half a day, £365 for a full day, and £1464 for a week.

In Lagos, however, prices will usually start from around £549 per day and £2136 per week.

Yes, in the Algarve it is possible to rent a sailing boat both with and without a skipper.  However, if you plan on renting without a skipper, you may need a licence if the boat is longer than 15 m (49.2 ft) or has a maximum speed of more than 6.5 knots (12 kmph/7.5 mph), so be sure to check the rules before you go.

If you rent a sailboat with a skipper in the Algarve, you can be sure that you will see all the best sights this area has to offer, without lifting a finger.  If you want an adventure, though, you should rent a boat without a skipper and explore the area at your leisure.

The weather in the Algarve varies greatly depending on the season but the summers are typically very short and hot with barely any rain, and the winters are long and cool with a lot of clouds and wind.  The temperatures, which rarely get higher than 92°F (33.3°C) or lower than 40°F (4.4°C), usually range from 47-84°F (8.3-28.9°C).  The hottest month in the Algarve is usually August, with an average high temperature of 83°F (28.3°C) and the coldest is January, when the average low temperature is usually around 47°F (8.3°C).  The water temperature in the Algarve varies throughout the year, ranging from a little chilly in February when it is usually around 60°F (15.6°C), to simply sublime when it reaches its peak of about 70°F (21.1°C) in August.

The wettest month is usually November, when the rainfall is about 3.1 inches (7.9 cm) and July is the driest month, often having no rain at all.  The wind speeds reach their peak in December when the average speed is about 11.2 knots (12.9 mph/20.8 km), whereas the calmest month is September, when the average hourly wind speed is about 8.6 knots (9.9 mph/15.9 kmph).

Portugal is lucky enough to experience decent sailing conditions all year round, meaning that when you decide to go will depend on various different factors.  Obviously, if you don’t like rain, you should go in the summer months, when the temperatures are high and the sea is ideal for swimming.  The only drawback of going during this time, however, is that it's probable that there will be lots of crowds and higher boat prices.

In order to escape the crowds, you may prefer to go in either the spring or the autumn.  During these seasons, the temperatures will still be good for sailing, but there will be fewer people and thus better boat deals.  This is also actually a better time to go if you don’t like the sticky heat that is often present throughout the summer months.

It is unlikely that you will have enough time to explore all of this vast region, so we will just recommend some of the places that you simply can’t miss.  Luckily, all of the Algarve’s best sights, from the beaches to the seaside towns, are easily reachable from the sea.

While in the Algarve, you must visit Albufeira, known for its breathtaking beaches, its captivating coral reefs and its nightlife.  It is also a great place to practice a variety of water sports, including wakeboarding, flyboarding and scuba diving.  There are even plenty of shipwrecks for you to explore a short distance off the coast.

After you tire of Albufeira, you can head on to Lagos, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Praia da Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo, and Ponta da Piedade.  At any of these beaches, you can bathe in the crystal clear water, while looking up at a formidable golden cliff backdrop.

To throw yourself completely into nature, you should head over to Ria Formosa.  This magnificent area consists of hundreds of lagoons and has amazing biological diversity, as well as being home to the largest seahorse community in the world.  In order to preserve this unique area and the plants and animals that call it home, we suggest renting a motorboat as larger boats could damage the delicate ecosystem.

If you want to have access to a wider range of services, play a game of golf, or take advantage of the best nightlife on the Portuguese coast, you should dock in Vilamoura.  The marina alone is worth visiting, being home to some of the most beautiful boats and yachts in the region.

As I’m sure you can tell, the Algarve has so much to offer, from the Benagil Caves, to breathtaking beaches such as Quinta do Lago, Vale Figueira, Marinha and Ancão.  You shouldn’t take our word for it though.  Find out for yourself when you book a boat here.

No matter the desired duration of your trip, or what activities you want to participate in while there, there are many different anchorages to choose from.  If you’re heading to the west, you can start your trip in Portimao or Lagos where you can visit captivating castles and golden beaches.  You should also take the time to stop over in Faro, the capital of the region, where you can have a quick bite to eat in a charming waterfront cafe or visit the vibrant old town centre, home to the ancient cathedral of Sé.  If you fancy traveling slightly further, you can head out to several islands, like Culatra, Barreta, and Tavira in the east, where you can swim in the crystalline sea water.  Meanwhile, while visiting ports such as Oldhao and Ayamante, you can sample the most incredible local seafood dishes.

Our favourites out of all the amazing ports and marinas in the Algarve are:

This marina is located on one of the best beaches in the Algarve, the Bay of Lagos and the facilities are fantastic.  There are also many events year round, aimed at all age groups, including a Marina BBQ in May and regattas in June.

This marina is special because the water is deep enough for larger boats, a quality not shared with many of the other ports in the area.  There are also many different facilities, including shops, bars, restaurants, and even a swimming pool.  For those who love to visit castles, there are also two old forts just down the road - Santa Caterina and Sao Joao.

One of the newer and more colourful marinas on the Algarve coast, there are plenty of fancy eateries here. If you want some fresh air, you can also go for a quick walk after dinner.

This is the largest marina in the Algarve and offers many different services.  Fishing enthusiasts will be in their element here, as just a couple of the species they can catch include mackerels, groupers and snappers.  There is also a casino just down the road that people can visit if they want.

Other smaller marinas can be found in:

The Algarve, which is found in the south of Portugal, can be reached in many different ways, depending on where you’re traveling from, but of course, the quickest and easiest way is to fly.  There are direct flights to Faro airport from lots of countries all over Europe, including Germany, Spain, Norway, France, Italy and Switzerland.  You can also get direct flights from Canada, most London airports in the UK, and Dublin in Ireland.

If you want to reach the Algarve using a different route, you can also travel by train, car, boat and bus if you’re arriving from a European country.  These options are perfect for those wanting to start their holiday a little earlier, as well as seeing some more of the sights in Portugal aside from those in the Algarve.