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Marina da Horta lies on the Azorean island of Faial on the Bay of Horta, with views across the channel to the Pico volcano, and is a regular port of call for yachts travelling between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, a stopping point in the middle of the Atlantic. Here you can read how to get there for the start of your trip, how the marina is laid out, where to park and shop, what weather to expect, which sailing destinations are nearby, and what skippers should know about berthing and sea conditions.
The essentials at a glance
- Horta Airport lies around eight kilometres as the crow flies west of the marina. At the terminal there are taxis, buses and car hire.
- The ferries to Pico and São Jorge depart from the north mole north of the marina. The nearest supermarket is a good ten minutes' walk away.
- In summer the Azores High usually determines the weather; wind and sea state are then calmer. In winter Atlantic lows with strong winds and high seas pass through.
- Madalena on Pico lies only around 4 nautical miles opposite, Velas on São Jorge around 21 nautical miles away.
Where is Marina da Horta?
Marina da Horta lies on the western shore of the Bay of Horta, on the waterfront road in front of the town centre, and has two basins: the north basin and, around 250 metres further south, the south basin at Cais de Santa Cruz. Both are protected to the east by their own breakwater. Around one kilometre north of the marina, ferries depart from the north mole; around one kilometre south lies the bathing bay of Porto Pim.
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More InformationThe marina is operated by Portos dos Açores, the port authority of the Azores region. It has around 300 berths and is considered the best-known yacht harbour in the Azores.
Arriving for the trip start at Marina da Horta
In Horta distances are short: the airport lies on the same island not far from the town, and the ferry terminal lies at the north mole in the same bay.
From Horta Airport to the marina
Horta Airport lies in the south-west of the island, around eight kilometres as the crow flies from the marina. At the airport taxis wait, buses also run into town, and car hire companies have their desks there. With luggage for a week the taxi is the easiest solution; it takes you directly to the marina.
By ferry or car
Between Faial, Pico and São Jorge ferries run operated by the regional shipping company Atlânticoline. In Horta they depart from the ferry terminal on Avenida 25 de Abril, at the north mole around one kilometre north of the marina. On Pico the ferry port is Madalena, on São Jorge Velas. Those arriving from there walk from the terminal to the marina.
On Faial itself you are most mobile with a hire car. You reach the marina via the waterfront road; the address of the marina office is Cais de Santa Cruz.
Where in the marina is my boat?
If you're arriving as crew: which basin and which pontoon it is will be in your trip documents. The marina has two basins: the north basin and, around 250 metres further south, the south basin. The pontoons are lettered: pontoons A to D are in the north basin, pontoons E to L in the south basin. At the marina's reception quay is the reception building, which houses the marina office and the authorities.
Parking
Car parks are around 650 metres as the crow flies from the marina: a public car park on Estrada Príncipe Alberto do Mónaco and a car park on Rua Antiga Canada do Porto Pim.
Showers and sanitary facilities
The marina has toilets, showers and a laundry. A shower costs 3 euros.
Shopping for the trip
The nearest supermarket is Continente Modelo on Estrada Príncipe Alberto do Mónaco, around 650 metres as the crow flies from the marina, a good ten-minute walk. Smaller grocery shops such as Mercearia Silva on Rua Serpa Pinto are similarly close. For a large shop, head to Pingo Doce on Estrada Variante, around two kilometres from the marina.
Pharmacy, hospital and emergency services
The nearest pharmacy is Farmácia Lecoq on Avenida 25 de Abril, around 300 metres north of the marina. Another, Farmácia Ayres Pinheiro, is on Rua Serpa Pinto, around 700 metres away. The Hospital da Horta is on Estrada Príncipe Alberto do Mónaco, around 900 metres as the crow flies from the marina.
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).
The maritime police (Polícia Marítima) maintain a 24-hour presence on Faial, Pico and São Jorge.
What does Marina da Horta offer?
Both basins belong to the same marina, with one marina office, one reception quay and the same VHF channels.
North basin and south basin
The north basin is the part of the marina towards the north breakwater. From here the routes to Avenida 25 de Abril with the nearest pharmacy and to the ferry terminal are shortest. The south basin is at Cais de Santa Cruz, the address of the marina office, and is nearest to the bathing bay Porto Pim.
Equipment
The berths have electricity and water; you can refuel with diesel at the marina's fuel station. For repairs the marina has a 25-tonne travel lift, dry berths and workshops. The marina also has a yacht club, a bar and Wi-Fi.
Key facts, contacts and berthing fees at a glance:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| North basin position (approximate) | 38° 32,0′ N, 028° 37,5′ W |
| South basin position (approximate) | 38° 31,8′ N, 028° 37,6′ W |
| Operator | Portos dos Açores, S.A. |
| Marina office address | Cais de Santa Cruz, 9900-017 Horta |
| Berths | around 300 in two basins |
| Water depth | 2 to 6 m |
| VHF channels | 10 and 16 |
| Phone | +351 292 391 693 |
| marinahorta@portosdosacores.pt | |
| Daily berthing fee, yachts 10 to 12 m | €15.13 plus VAT |
| Daily berthing fee, yachts 12 to 15 m | €22.91 plus VAT |
| Technology | Travel lift 25 t, dry berths, workshops |
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 Faial?
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 current predominates, bringing low-pressure systems and fronts across the islands. There are then spells with very strong winds, heavy seas and long swells. In late summer and autumn the remnants of former hurricanes occasionally reach the Azores. The bay of Horta is open to the east towards the channel; in strong south-easterly winds the swell runs directly onto the harbour.
Which sailing destinations lie near Horta?
Faial forms the so-called triangle of the central Azores with Pico and São Jorge, so the neighbouring islands are close. Further east come Terceira and São Miguel with longer passages across open water. The distances are rounded over-water routes on the usual course from the marina; the chart applies for precise planning.
- Madalena on Pico: around 4 nm
- Lajes do Pico: around 20 nm, along the south coast of Pico
- Velas on São Jorge: around 21 nm
- Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira: around 70 nm, through the channel between Pico and São Jorge
- Ponta Delgada on São Miguel: around 150 nm
Pico lies directly opposite Horta. The volcano Pico is at 2,351 metres the highest mountain in Portugal; from the marina you can see it across the channel. Madalena on the west coast has the ferry harbour; Lajes do Pico is on the south coast. Both are designated as ports of refuge for leisure craft.
São Jorge is a long, narrow island north of Pico. In Velas on the south coast in the west of the island there is a marina with a reception quay, showers and laundry, also operated by Portos dos Açores.
Terceira lies further east. The old town of Angra do Heroísmo on the south coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; from the 15th to the 19th century the port was a compulsory stop for fleets returning from Africa and India. Angra has its own marina. At around 70 nautical miles you should plan for a long day or an overnight passage.
São Miguel with Ponta Delgada is the largest island in the Azores and lies at the eastern end of the group. You can read more about the marina there in our profile of the Marina de Ponta Delgada.
What can you do in Horta on a harbour day?
The painted breakwaters, Porto Pim and Monte da Guia are within walking distance of the marina. For the Capelinhos volcano in the west of the island you take a taxi or hire car.
- The breakwater paintings: According to old sailing tradition, anyone mooring in Horta leaves a painting on the walls and breakwaters of the marina. Legend has it that the crew will then reach their next destination safely. Over the years an open-air gallery has been created.
- Peter Café Sport: The bar in Horta is a meeting place for sailors crossing the Atlantic. The establishment includes a museum with scrimshaw, engravings on sperm whale teeth.
- Porto Pim and Monte da Guia: South of the town lies the bathing bay of Porto Pim. From there begins an easy circular walk of 3.4 kilometres, taking around an hour and a half. It leads up Monte da Guia with its chapel and onto Monte Queimado, from which you look out over the marina, bay and town.
- Porto Pim whaling factory: On the slope of Monte da Guia stands the former whaling factory. Today it is a museum about whaling in the Azores, with many machines from the 20th century.
- Capelinhos volcano: In the west of the island, new land was created during an eruption in 1957 and 1958. The visitor centre is underground and explains the eruption and the formation of the Azores. From the old lighthouse you look out over the young volcanic landscape.
For skippers: Berthing and sea weather in Horta
As a visiting yacht you call the marina before entering on VHF and berth first at the reception quay.
Registration and Berthing
You can reach the marina on VHF channels 10 and 16; over the radio you will receive instructions when entering. Channel 16 is also the international distress and calling channel. After mooring at the reception quay you register at the reception building, where the marina and authorities are based together.
In season the marina office is staffed from 0800 to 1200 and from 1300 to 2000; out of season from 0800 to 1200 and from 1300 to 1700. You can reach the marina in advance by e-mail at marinahorta@portosdosacores.pt and by telephone on +351 292 391 693.
Approach
The bay of Horta opens to the east towards the channel between Faial and Pico. To the north it is protected by a long breakwater with the ferry terminal; the marina lies on the western shore of the bay behind its own breakwaters. Above the town the white tower of the observatory on Monte das Moças is a good landmark.
In strong winds from the south-east, a swell runs into the bay. Water depths in the marina basins are between 2 and 6 metres.
For Horta, electronic chart PT548504 from the Portuguese navy applies. The Hydrographic Institute publishes current notices to mariners, and in storms the harbour authority (Capitania do Porto da Horta) shows storm signals on the signal mast of its tower, at night as lights.
Which sea weather forecast applies to Horta?
The authoritative forecast is the sea weather bulletin from the Portuguese weather service IPMA. For the Azores it issues a report for waters up to 20 nautical miles off the coast, divided into western, central and eastern island groups. Faial, Pico and São Jorge belong to the central group (Grupo Central).
The report begins with warnings for strong winds, poor visibility and rough seas, then follows the weather situation and forecast for wind, visibility and wave height. For the long passage to São Miguel you also take the forecast for the eastern group. You can read the current report on the IPMA marine weather page.
Trips from Horta on Törnfinder
In October 2026 there are 7 trip dates on Törnfinder in the next twelve months with departure or destination Horta. Most start in June, April and May; typically 17 days.
An overview of offers around the islands can be found at Cabin Charter in the Azores, trips throughout the country under Sailing in Portugal. Ocean passages that include the Azores are listed under Cabin Charter for a Transatlantic Crossing, all offers at Trips.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Horta airport to the marina?
Most easily by taxi; it takes you directly to the marina. Buses also run from the terminal into town, and there are car hire agencies.
Where do I park at the start of a trip in Horta?
At one of the car parks around 650 metres as the crow flies from the marina, such as the public car park on Estrada Príncipe Alberto do Mónaco or the car park on Rua Antiga Canada do Porto Pim.
Are there showers at Marina da Horta?
Yes, the marina has toilets, showers and a laundry. A shower costs 3 euros.
What's the story behind the pictures at the marina in Horta?
It's an old sailors' tradition: crews mooring in Horta paint a picture on the marina's walls and breakwaters. Legend has it this brings good luck for the onward journey.
When is the best time for a sailing trip from Horta?
Summer, as the Azores High usually lies close to the islands then and wind and sea state are calmer. In winter, Atlantic lows with very strong winds and high seas pass over the Azores.
How far is it from Horta to Pico?
Around 4 nautical miles to Madalena, the ferry port on the west coast of Pico. To Lajes do Pico on the south coast it's around 20 nautical miles.
On which VHF channel can I reach the Marina da Horta?
On channels 10 and 16. Visiting yachts first moor at the reception quay and report to the marina and authorities in the reception building.
