Cais de Santa Cruz

Marina da Horta lies at Cais de Santa Cruz on the southeast side of Faial island in the Azores, just a few metres from the centre of Horta. The port authority describes it as the most important marina in the Azores and as the fourth most visited marina in the world, making it an almost obligatory stop for sailors crossing the Atlantic between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

You enter by holding a course toward Boa Viagem via Igreja do Carmo (heading 285°) until the harbour's light alignment appears, after which the marina's breakwater comes into view straight ahead; give way to the Pico ferry and fishing boats near the entrance. The marina monitors VHF channels 10 and 16 under the call sign "hortamarina". The entrance depth is 4.0 m, and the marina has a total of 240 berths, with summer opening hours of 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-20:00, and winter hours of 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00.

Fuel, gas refills, laundry and WiFi are available, along with a 25-tonne travel lift for launching and hauling out, and a boatyard offering repairs. Restaurants, a bar and a yacht club can also be found at the marina.

Horta is a small town full of maritime spirit, and the marina's walls are covered with paintings left by guest sailors to bring good luck on their onward voyage.