Sailing in Portugal with Grayhound

Your Sailing Area

Cascais to Portimão, Portugal

Cascais is a charming coastal town on the Portuguese coast known for its beautiful beaches, picturesque old town, and bustling marina. It offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. It’s a great base for starting your sailing holiday in Portugal with traditional wooden lugger Grayhound.

Spend the week exploring the rugged coastline of the Algarve region, anchoring in secluded bays, exploring sleepy fishing villages and trying your hand at sailing a traditional vessel.

Our aim is to explore the Benagil Caves with Grayhound’s rowing gigs. The Benagil Caves, located along the Algarve coastline in Portugal, are a natural wonder renowned for their sea cave with a gaping hole in the ceiling allowing sunlight to illuminate the golden sand and clear turquoise waters within. Exploring these caves from the water is an unforgettable experience!

All voyages for Grayhound

Grayhound

Guest berths: 12 Rig: Lugger

Grayhound is a three-masted, wooden tall ship Lugger who was first launched in 2012. She is a a 5/6th scale replica of the original “Grayhound” who was built in Cornwall in 1776 and used as a Customs Lugger.

True to her original ancestors, Grayhound has been traditionally built with her rigging the same as you’d find it back in 1776. Her owners relish the opportunity to give guests a true and exhilarating sailing experience, taking them back in time for a truly fascinating sailing holiday adventure. Sailing with Grayhound is a hands-on experience and guests are invited to get involved with all aspects of sailing this unique 18th century style Lugger.

Below decks…

The traditional fit out and use of timber continues but with considered spaces and a few more mod-cons! A communal saloon area sleeps 5 guests centred around an impressive oak table with a further five berths in the shared fore cabin. Each bunk has a privacy curtain. There is an eco toilet onboard and a shower for emergencies but guest showers are taken ashore as much as possible. Life on board is predominantly vegetarian unless meat and fish is caught sustainably whilst sailing!

Read more about what to expect from Life on board here…

 

Sustainable Sailing

The owners and crew of Grayhound are passionate about sustainable sailing and their impact on the natural world. By harnessing the power of wind, Grayhound reduces engine time, minimising carbon emissions and pollution. Sailing encourages a slower pace, allowing guests to appreciate the journey and the destinations without rushing. Grayhound believes in a promoting a deeper connection with nature, as the rhythmic movement of the boat and the sound of the wind create a sense of serenity with the landscapes around us.

Deck plan

More about Grayhound

LIFE ON BOARD

One of traditional hands-on sailing and sustainable adventure travel. Sailing with Cornish Lugger Grayhound is perfect for those looking to get to grips with sailing a traditionally rigged, classic wooden vessel.

SUSTAINABLE SAILING

Grayhound is run and sailed as sustainably as possible, with a care for the environment and the natural marine world at the forefront of everything she does. From an adopted vegetarian menu (unless of course, it can be sustainably fished or hunted), to traditional tender gigs rowed by the crew, it’s clear to see that sustainable travel and adventure is an important part of sailing with Grayhound.

Sailed with a full time crew, Grayhound mixes her sailing season with sheltered coastal sailing, open water sailing and some aptly named “smugglers runs”. Although she has a permanent crew, guests are encouraged to get involved to hoist the sails by hand and to feel the power of the wind in the tiller. Learn basic rope and knot work or even learn to row in the gig tenders – another nod to the ship’s ancestral history!

SLEEPING AND RELAXATION

A pilot house at deck level gives a versatile space from chart navigation, daytime shelter if needed and the perfect place for a cosy night watch.

Below decks there is a collection of various berths tucked into the hull, with four bunks situated off the main saloon and a further six berth bunks in the fore. The spaces are generous and there are two toilets on board for guests. There is a shower for emergencies but guests are encouraged to use marina showers or even consider jumping in the sea – an invigorating, free bath!

There is a communal eating area with a wide hatch so guests can star-gaze while eating deliciously cooked food. In warmer climates, guests and crew can eat alfresco up on the generous deck.

EAT

The galley is at the heart of both Grayhound itself and her owners.

Designed to be an efficient and inspiring workspace for the chef making meals a highlight of the voyage. Grayhound has a great tradition of using fresh produce and of foraging, producing wholesome meals inspired by local cuisine and maritime traditions. She serves only healthy, organic, vegetarian food. For many good reasons the meals on the ship are mostly vegetarian (unless it is caught by line from the boat!). Everything is cooked onboard by our excellent chef using regional and organic produce wherever possible.

Kit list

Grayhound has limited space for possessions, so please be considerate and travel as light as possible. We recommend a travelling light principle with lots of lightweight, easy-drying layers. Below is a list of recommended items; these are not mandatory, and those who have sailed before may have their preferences!

• Fingerless gloves for hoisting sails (sailing or cycling are best)
• Walking shoes for onshore and/or light shoes/trainers (with good grip)
• Wash towel
• Flip-flops or crocs for wet room showering
• Swimsuit and swim towel (optional) 
• Lightweight, quick-dry clothes (base layers, fleece and synthetic tops are both lightweight and quick-drying!)

It can be quite a few degrees colder out at sea so please bring lots of layers even if the forecast seems like a warm week!

• Warm, windproof and waterproof coat and trousers.
• Sun cream (please use reef-safe, eco products where possible)
• Sunglasses and a warm hat/cap
• Refillable water bottle
• Small personal first aid kit and any medication you may need
• Camera/binoculars
• Personal wash kit (please use reef-safe, eco products where possible)
• Each bunk berth has a privacy curtain, so we advise wearing sleep masks and/or earplugs!
• Charging cables for personal devices (there are 12v USB sockets to charge devices)
• A good book to read!
• Consider a small backpack/bag for onshore exploring

Travel Documents

•  Please assume full responsibility for checking and verifying any passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements to the country if/as required.

What’s included

• Full Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and soft/hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and a wash towel
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Waterproofs

What’s not included

• Alcohol
• Wash and/or swim towel
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel Insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.

Need help with flights? 

If you require some expert help with sourcing the right flights to meet the boat, please get in touch with Jenny at the Flight Centre via this form, she will be able to send you a quote within24 hours. 

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals on board are included in the price. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks) Alcohol is not included.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  We are primarily a vegetarian (not vegan) ship. Everything is cooked onboard by our excellent chef using regional and organic produce wherever possible. We have a well-equipped galley where we cook healthy, tasty and sustainable food.

• Are there any added extras?

  There's an honesty bar for soft drinks and alcohol or you can bring your own.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  10x single berths split between the saloon and fore cabin. Some bunks can be made into "doubles" and all berths are allocated communally once everyone is aboard. All bunks have a privacy curtain.

• Is there a porthole in my berth?

  Both the saloon and fore cabin have deck hatches for natural light.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  2 toilets. There is a shower on board but we use it as little as possible because we have a limited water supply. We tend to use the showers ashore in the marinas that we visit. There is plenty of seawater for bucket-showers on deck or for a nice morning swim around the ship.

• Are bedding and towels included?

  All bedding is provided but please bring towels.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Grayhound does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating onboard?

  Yes, there is a multi fuel burner.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English

• Is there WIFI?

  No! It's time to disconnect from the modern tech and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes. There are USB and 220v sockets in the Pilot house and galley.

• What is the currency on board?

  GBP - pounds sterling

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Grayhound is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up and over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  Yes - provided for all guests. IMAX - Explorer Ocean Equipment - coat & Trousers. This can be taken onshore as well.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  There are long boat tenders for rowing practice and coastal exploring!

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is there an age limit?

  Young children can join some voyages but this varies so please check with the office first. There is no maximum age limit as long as guests are mobile and fit.

Travel Planning

From: Cascais

To: Portimão

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

GETTING THERE

Cascais, Portugal

Fly to Lisbon from major UK airports, such as London Heathrow or Gatwick. It’s then a 30 minute taxi ride to the port of Cascais.

GETTING HOME

Portimao, Portugal

To travel from Portimao, Portugal, to the UK, you can fly from Faro Airport, which is approximately a one-hour drive away. Faro Airport offers direct flights to major UK airports like London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester.