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Marina de Ponta Delgada lies on the south coast of São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, right in front of the old town of Ponta Delgada. Here you can read how to get to the start of your trip, how the marina is laid out, where to park and shop, what weather to expect, which destinations are within easy reach and what skippers should know about berthing and sea conditions.
The essentials at a glance
- Ponta Delgada airport is only about three kilometres as the crow flies west of the marina. Taxis, buses and car hire are available at the terminal.
- The marina has 640 berths in two basins to the left and right of the Portas do Mar terminal. You can walk to the old town, shops and restaurants from both.
- Beneath the Portas do Mar complex at the marina there is an underground car park with around 200 spaces.
- In summer the weather is usually determined by the Azores High; in winter low-pressure systems with strong winds and heavy seas cross the Atlantic.
- Vila Franca do Campo is a short hop along the south coast; Santa Maria and Terceira can be reached with longer passages across open water.
Where is Marina de Ponta Delgada?
Marina de Ponta Delgada has two basins: to the west the large Marina Portas do Mar on Avenida Infante D. Henrique, only about 300 metres from the town hall square in the old town, and about 600 metres further east the smaller Marina Pêro de Teive on Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral. Between them the Portas do Mar terminal, with the quay for ferries and cruise ships, juts into the harbour. Both basins lie within the shelter of the breakwaters of Ponta Delgada harbour, on the north side of the harbour basin. Opposite, on the south side, are the quays for commercial shipping.
Map from OpenStreetMap. When the map is displayed, data is transmitted to the provider.
More InformationThe Portas do Mar complex includes shops, restaurants and a bathing area in addition to the terminal. The western basin was added with the construction of Portas do Mar, since when the marina has been considerably larger. It is operated by Portos dos Açores, the regional port authority of the Azores, which also manages other harbours and marinas on the islands.
Getting to Marina de Ponta Delgada for the start of your trip
The airport is almost on the edge of town; from landing to the pontoon is only a short distance. You can also get there from the other islands by ferry.
From Ponta Delgada airport to the marina
João Paulo II airport lies west of the city, about three kilometres as the crow flies from the marina. Taxis wait at the airport, and buses also run into town, whilst several car hire companies have their desks there. With luggage for a week the taxi is the simplest solution: it will have you at the marina in a few minutes.
By ferry or car
Ferries between the Azorean islands are operated by the regional shipping company Atlânticoline. Their terminal in Ponta Delgada is in the Portas do Mar complex, between the two marina basins. Anyone arriving from another island has only a short walk from there to the pontoon.
On São Miguel itself you are most mobile with a hire car. In the city you reach the western basin via the waterfront road Avenida Infante D. Henrique, the eastern basin via Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral.
Where in the marina is my boat?
If you are joining as crew: which basin and which pontoon it is will be stated in your trip documents. What matters is that the marina has two basins to the left and right of the Portas do Mar terminal: the large Marina Portas do Mar to the west on Avenida Infante D. Henrique near the old town and the smaller Marina Pêro de Teive to the east on Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral. On foot you walk around the terminal between the two. If you know which basin, have the taxi drop you at the right spot.
Parking
Beneath the Portas do Mar complex there is an underground car park with around 200 spaces, right at the marina. In addition the marina has its own parking areas.
Showers and sanitary facilities
The marina has sanitary facilities with showers and a laundry. Showers cost extra, 3 euros per use.
Shopping for the trip
The marina is right in the city centre; shops, bars and restaurants are within walking distance from both basins. In the Portas do Mar complex there is a row of shops with restaurants and bars.
distress call
The European emergency number applies in Portugal and therefore also in the Azores:
- 112: Police, emergency medical services and fire brigade
- At sea: VHF channel 16 or DSC on channel 70. Sea rescue coordination in the Azores region is handled by the Portuguese Navy's maritime rescue coordination centre in Ponta Delgada (MRCC Delgada).
Marina de Ponta Delgada at a glance
Electricity and water are available at the berths, diesel and petrol at the marina fuel station. The key details at a glance:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Position western basin (approximate) | 37° 44,3′ N, 025° 39,9′ W |
| Position eastern basin (approximate) | 37° 44,4′ N, 025° 39,5′ W |
| Operator | Portos dos Açores, S.A. |
| Marina office address | Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 9500-770 Ponta Delgada |
| Berths | 640 |
| Water depth | 4,5 m |
| VHF channels | 16 and 72 |
| Phone | +351 296 281 510 |
| Daily berthing fee, yachts 10 to 12 m | €15.13 plus VAT |
| Daily berthing fee, yachts 12 to 15 m | €22.91 plus VAT |
| Fuel | Diesel and petrol |
| Technology | 25 t travel lift, crane, dry berths |
A 6 per cent waste disposal fee is added to the berthing fee; multihulls pay a 50 per cent surcharge. All rates are listed in the Portos dos Açores tariff sheet (as at October 2026).
What is the sailing weather like around São Miguel?
Weather in the Azores depends chiefly on where the Azores High is positioned. In summer it usually lies close to the islands, and wind and sea state are then considerably calmer than during the rest of the year.
In winter a westerly flow predominates, bringing low-pressure systems and fronts over the islands or past them to the north. There are then periods of very strong winds, high seas and long swells that continue running even after the wind has eased. In late summer and autumn the remnants of former hurricanes occasionally reach the Azores, bringing strong winds, particularly to the central and eastern islands.
Ponta Delgada lies on the south coast. The island provides shelter from northerly winds, but winds and swells from the south run straight into the harbour.
What sailing destinations lie near Ponta Delgada?
Along São Miguel's south coast the passage remains short; to the neighbouring islands it crosses open Atlantic waters. The distances are rounded over-water distances on the usual course from the marina; the chart applies for precise planning.
- Vila Franca do Campo on São Miguel: about 11 nm
- Vila do Porto on Santa Maria: about 54 nm
- Praia da Vitória on Terceira: about 90 nm
- Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira: about 93 nm
Vila Franca do Campo lies east of Ponta Delgada on the south coast and has its own marina, which opened in 2011. Off the town lies the Ilhéu de Vila Franca, a small volcanic island with an almost circular basin about 150 metres in diameter, some 1.2 kilometres offshore. The island is a protected area; in summer boats bring bathers over from the Tagarete landing stage, and visitor numbers are limited.
Santa Maria is the southernmost island of the Azores and lies south-east of São Miguel. The marina is in the main town, Vila do Porto. Allow a full day for the passage.
Terceira lies north-west of São Miguel. You first round the western tip of São Miguel and then have a good 75 nautical miles of open water ahead of you. Marinas are available in Praia da Vitória on the east coast and in Angra do Heroísmo on the south coast. At around 90 nautical miles, plan for an overnight passage or a very long day.
What can you do on a harbour day in Ponta Delgada?
The old town with its city gate, fortress and waterfront promenade is just a few minutes' walk from the marina. For the pineapple greenhouses and the crater lake of Sete Cidades, take a taxi or hire car.
- Portas da Cidade: The three-arched city gate from the 18th century is the emblem of Ponta Delgada. It originally stood at the old quay and was moved to its present location, Praça Gonçalo Velho Cabral, when the waterfront road was built. Above the central arch are the royal coat of arms and the city's coat of arms.
- Forte de São Brás and Military Museum: The fortress from the second half of the 16th century stands on the waterfront road at the western edge of the old town. Today the Azores Military Museum displays weapons, uniforms, vehicles and radio equipment there. From the outer grounds you have views over the city; the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on public holidays.
- Augusto Arruda Pineapple Greenhouses: In the north of the city, around three kilometres from the marina, lie the oldest pineapple greenhouses in the Azores, established in the 19th century. You can see the fruit at all stages of ripeness; on average, it takes 18 months until harvest.
- Sete Cidades: In the west of the island lies the Caldeira das Sete Cidades with the green and blue lakes. From the Vista do Rei viewpoint, an easy 6-kilometre hiking trail leads down to the village of Sete Cidades in around two hours.
For skippers: Berthing and sea weather in Ponta Delgada
As a visiting yacht, you contact the marina on VHF before entering and first make fast at the marina's reception pontoon.
Registration and Berthing
You can reach the marina on VHF channels 16 and 72; channel 16 is also the international distress and calling channel. You complete registration at the reception pontoon, after which the marina assigns you a berth. Berthing is alongside quays and at floating pontoons with finger berths.
The marina can be contacted in advance by email at marinapdl@portosdosacores.pt and by telephone on +351 296 281 510.
Harbour rules
The harbour is governed by the rules of the Ponta Delgada harbour authority (Capitania do Porto). For yachts, these points are important:
- A maximum speed of 6 knots applies throughout the harbour.
- Pleasure craft, fishing boats and local vessels give way to ferries, cruise ships and cargo ships, which have restricted manoeuvrability.
- If a vessel is departing, you wait to enter until it has left the harbour.
- Keep at least 30 metres' distance from vessels carrying dangerous cargo, which display flag Bravo during the day.
Approach
Ponta Delgada lies on the south coast of São Miguel; the harbour is sheltered by a long breakwater. West of the town, the Santa Clara lighthouse marks a headland with outlying reefs, which you round at a distance. You enter around the head of the breakwater, keeping clear of the end of the mole so that departing vessels have room. The marina is on the north side of the harbour basin. The harbour basin also serves as a manoeuvring area for ferries and cruise ships, which berth at the Portas do Mar terminal and at the quays opposite.
For Ponta Delgada, Portuguese chart 46406 applies, as electronic chart PT446406. The Hydrographic Institute of the Portuguese Navy publishes current notices to mariners.
Which sea weather forecast applies to Ponta Delgada?
The sea weather forecast from the Portuguese meteorological service IPMA is authoritative. For the Azores it issues a forecast for waters up to 20 nautical miles off the coast, divided into a western, a central and an eastern island group. São Miguel and Santa Maria belong to the eastern group (Grupo Oriental).
The forecast begins with warnings for strong winds, poor visibility and rough seas, followed by the weather situation and forecast for wind, visibility and wave height. For longer passages, for example to Terceira, you also take the forecast for the central group. You can read the current forecast on the IPMA marine weather page.
Trips from Ponta Delgada on Törnfinder
In October 2026, there are 9 trip dates on Törnfinder over the next twelve months with departure or destination at Marina de Ponta Delgada. Most start in January, March and November; typically they are 10 days long.
An overview of offers around the islands can be found at Cabin Charter in the Azores, trips throughout the country under Sailing in Portugal. Atlantic crossings are listed at Cabin Charter for a Transatlantic Crossing, all offers at Trips.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Ponta Delgada airport to the marina?
Most easily by taxi – the airport is only about three kilometres as the crow flies west of the marina. Buses into the city also run from the terminal, and car hire is available.
Where do I park at the start of the trip in Marina de Ponta Delgada?
In the underground car park beneath the Portas do Mar complex with around 200 spaces, directly at the marina. The marina also has its own parking areas.
Are there showers in Marina de Ponta Delgada?
Yes, the marina has sanitary facilities with showers and a laundry. A shower costs €3.
How many berths does Marina de Ponta Delgada have?
640 berths in two basins to the left and right of the Portas do Mar terminal. The water depth is 4.5 metres.
On which VHF channel can I reach Marina de Ponta Delgada?
On channels 16 and 72. Visiting yachts first make fast at the marina's reception pontoon and register there.
When is the best time for a trip from Ponta Delgada?
Summer, because then the Azores High usually lies close to the islands and wind and sea conditions are calmer. In winter, Atlantic lows with strong winds and high seas pass over the Azores.
How far is it from Ponta Delgada to Santa Maria?
Around 54 nautical miles to the marina in Vila do Porto, a long day's passage over open water to the southeast.
