To see a map of this area click here, Boco do Rio Resort is on the river Arade to the west of Estõmbar & at the end of the street named Dom João II

About two miles up the river Arade from Ferrugudo is The Boca do Rio Resort. To reach it by road from the A22 come off the A22 at the Lagoa / Silves turn off then join the 125 heading for Lagos & Portimao, after not much more than a kilometre turn right for Estõmbar and Ferragudo. At the first set of traffic lights turn right for Mexilhoeira da Carregação and then first right for Boca do Rio.

By boat go up the river Arade passing the Marina de Portimão to port, Ferrugudo to starboard, then keep to the west side of the river where you will find the deepest water. Go under the road bridge which has its centre supports marked green and red to show you where the channel passes under the bridge (if there is not enough room for your boat to fit under the road bridge then go over to the extreme western side where there is a narrow section that has enough height for any motor cruiser).

After approximately 200 yards there is the railway bridge which also has its centre supports marked green and red to show the channel (this bridge will only not have enough air height for about two hours either side of high water springs for most boats). Then go for approximately one nautical mile up the east side of the river following the well marked channel (red and green buoys) to Boca do Rio which you will find on the east side of the river just before the 125 bridge.

I recently took a Sunseeker Carmargue 44 (draft about 1.2 m) up to the Club for lunch, we went up the river an hour after low water springs and had enough depth all the way, had time for an excellent lunch and came back under the bridges with half a meter to spare above us (having lowered our VHF arial). If you are visiting the club for a meal, there is no charge for berthing your boat in the marina, if there is a ‘hammer head’ free it is probably best to put your boat there, if not try to find an empty berth and then check with club staff that it is ok to leave your boat there for an hour or two.

For me motor boat ownership is mainly about going out to lunch in good restaurants, you won’t find one much better than this one. There is a continuous buffet from 7 am to 2.30 pm, the cost of a meal is 12 euros and being a buffet you can eat as much as you like! Normally there is soup, then a wide array of cold meats and some really terrific salads often with a selection of shell fish. There is always a choice of two main courses one usually fish and the other meat. Then a fine choice of puddings, I was there for lunch a few days ago and had two slices of a delicious chocolate roulade.

As can be seen from the photograph at the top of this page the Boca do Rio resort has much more than just its wonderful buffet lunch to offer.

If you keep your boat here in addition to visiting other places along the coast, if the weather isn't good you can always go up the Arade and visit Silves, click here to read my article on this trip.

There is a four star hotel (www.bocadorioresort.com) In addition to a wide range of rooms and self catering apartments. The hotel has 3 restaurants, 2 bars, 3 conference rooms, 2 snack bars and two out-door swimming pools.

Clube Náutico do Arade (www.clubenauticodoarade.com) is the sailing school at the resort which offers navigation courses at all levels, sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding and ski schools. Motorboats, sailing boats, jet skiis and canoes can all be rented. The instructors speak excellent English. There are changing rooms with showers etc and a Chandlery where you can buy a wide range of nautical equipment, sports boats, outboard engines and a good selection of ropes.

The Marina which is run by the Club Náutico has 76 berths suitable for boats up to about 12 metres in length.

Health Club which is open from 9 am to 10 pm where you can have a variety of massages and treatments such as lymphatic drainage. There is also a large heated indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, jacuzzi, sauna, turkish bath, solarium, tai chi, football and tennis courts. A personal trainer will guide you through a fitness programme that is tailor made for you.

Visitors with either a yacht or fly-bridge motor cruiser will not fit under the railway bridge at Portimão at any state of the tide, they could however anchor in the anchorage at the entrance to the river and continue in their tender up to the Boca do Rio Marina. Even if you are just going for a coffee or a drink, you will be made very welcome.

To contact Boco de Rio Resort write to:  Boca do Rio Resort, Mexilhoeira da Carregação, 8400-147 Estombar, Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal.
Telephone: 00351 282 402500 Fax: 00351 282 402510  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To contact the Clube Náutico do Arade: Tel: 00351 282 402530  Fax: 00351 282 402531  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it