Tuesday 5^th February – Vilamoura - Ilha da Culatra

36:59.940N 7:50.565W

Today we were up early for a short run along the coast to Ilha da Culatra.

Ilha da Culatra is a small island formed mostly of sand dunes, offlying Faro and Olhão (pronounced ‘Oh-le-ow’).  The whole area is a set of lagoons which run along the coast for about 30 miles between the mainland and the sea. The offlying islands, together with the coastal fringes form the Parque Natural de Ria Formosa.

When we set off from Vilamoura there was little wind but it filled in as we travelled and we were able to enjoy a sail for the latter half of the trip. We arrived at lunchtime and anchored at Praca Larga, just off Ponte Cais with 3 other yachts and one motor boat (who has since gone home); it is a large anchorage and we have plenty of space between us.

We took the dinghy ashore later this afternoon and managed to complete a hat-trick of Mardi Gras processions; we found many of the locals dressed in fancy dress and parading on foot along the narrow streets, the celebrations centred on one of the bars and everyone was having a great time.

Ilha da Culatra has no roads (and no cars), transport is by tractor or buggy; the pilot book says that in 2005 it was reckoned that there were only about 3,000 inhabitants on the island.  Ponte Cais, the main town, has surprisingly got several small shops, bars and restaurants and is clearly geared up for when the tourists arrive in the summer, though nice and quiet now; a ferry links it regularly with Olhão.  The housing is mostly bungalows and so the island has a very low profile from the water.

This evening we have had dinner aboard enjoying the tranquillity.  As it is Shrove Tuesday, we finished with pancakes.