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Horta

Visited:
    September 2011. My yacht wintered here in the water from
    end of October till end of March.
   
Approach:
    No problems at all.

    Welcome kai in front of the marina office with security in charge after office hours. Try to be there before the office closes as the place there is prone to swell.
       
Mooring:
    I was in the “old” marina, that´s the one North. Floating Pontoons as usual.

    In very windy conditions I tied up alongside the breakwater which
was much easier in these conditions. Move to your appointed place when conditions are easier, but ask the marina staff for permission.
These places are usually for super yachts and a local tug also ties up there.

    I high season this place will be crowded and the situation completely different. Boats are tied up in packs starting April.

WiFi:
    Free WiFi in the marina and at the Club Naval.
    Free WiFi also in the Cafe International, green building opposite the street in the Marina.

Tips:
    Daily cheap menu at the Club Naval.
    If you miss it on a day you get the chance again next week…

    Definitely take a walk to “Porto Pim” either for the excellent beach and swimming there. Yes, I did until the end of October in 2011. Or for the “Café Porto Pim” with there outstanding Almond cake.

    Peter´s Cafe is a mixed bag for me. Not really a cafe and not bar, just a standing area there. Square tables like a restaurant, but I would not go there for food. A rarity in the azores is the service who did not understand english at all. The burgers, a speciality in all the azores, not worth an order here. Peter´s just lives from the image, but this will soon be destroyed. Tough a place to meet other sailors.
   
    Visit the Theatro Faialense for a movie, usually originals with portuguese subtitles. This is in multiuse and cinema usually friday and sundays. The architecture is worth the visit anyway and a visit will also help to protect this place.

Notes:
    n/a

Provisioning:
    Continente supermarket up the main street, 15 min walk.
   
Verdict:
    The center of yachting in the azores and the only place for wintering the yacht in the water.
    Wintering on the hard maybe available in Angra, place there is rare.