Vagos Nautical Station

The creation of the Vagos Nautical Station (ENV) aims to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation relations, as well as the implementation of resulting projects and initiatives, with mutual gains, and as a way to implement new dynamics of creation, communication and promotion of nautical and nature values ​​in the municipality of Vagos.

The Vagos Nautical Station has the following objectives:

• To create sustainable dynamics for the exploration, enhancement and preservation of the natural and cultural environment of the Municipality of Vagos, linked to nautical activity.
• To provide outdoor recreational activities, linked to the sea and the estuary, in a socially responsible attitude and prioritizing the preservation of endogenous resources.
• To affirm the image of the Municipality of Vagos as an attractive and welcoming destination.
• To develop a cross-cutting strategy, starting from nautical activities, to increase the tourist attractiveness of the Municipality, valuing its natural and landscape heritage.
• Repositioning of beach tourism, ensuring a higher quality, more diverse and differentiated offering.
• Affirmation of some existing segments, particularly in nautical tourism and nature tourism.
• Emergence of new niches and investment opportunities related to nautical tourism and also complementary offerings such as adventure, nature and recreation of traditions and customs.
• Preservation and development of cultural elements that define local identity, such as the Gandaresa house (promoting local lodging experiences) and the Xávega Art (recreation of traditions and customs).
• To create an area focused on water sports and active and experiential tourism, offering a diverse range of activities throughout the year, accompanied by a comprehensive service including accommodation, restaurants, shops and other complementary services.

The municipality of Vagos has an extensive coastline and a vast area of ​​inland waters that cross its territory, providing a set of natural resources that are important to fully utilize, whether from a recreational and educational perspective, or from an economic standpoint.

With an excellent geographical location and very good access - via the A25 to the Vagueira Marina and beaches, and via the A17 to the Rio Boco quay - the proximity to the Port of Aveiro and the mouth of the estuary allows for the flow of smaller vessels between the estuary and the sea.

The environmental quality of the coastline and river and lagoon resources, centered on three beaches with unique and distinct characteristics (Praia da Vagueira, Praia do Labrego and Praia do Areão) and the two arms of the Aveiro Lagoon – the Mira Canal at Praia da Vagueira and the Boco River in the center of the town – gives it unique features, with points of great ecological interest, namely the habitats linked to the lagoon and the Boco River, which harbor a great diversity of species and a landscape potential and ecological beauty favorable to the growth and development of recreational boating, nature tourism and bird watching.

The boardwalks on the Atlantic coast offer a unique view, where one can simultaneously enjoy the maritime landscape and environmental beauty of the beaches and the lagoon system of the Mira Canal, and appreciate one of the defining cultural elements of the local identity – the Xávega fishing technique.

The proximity between the various spots, the excellent access, the good accessibility conditions with reduced physical barriers to mobility, the ease of parking, and the existence of nautical infrastructure and equipment, favor the diversification of existing nautical offerings, namely, the excellent conditions throughout the year for practicing water sports at sea, with a special focus on gliding sports, namely surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, kneeboarding, longboarding, etc.

The existence of moorings/piers, good navigability conditions, good access and accessibility to the water bodies of the Mira Canal and the Boco River, favor the navigability of small recreational vessels and the practice of water sports such as sailing, canoeing and SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding).