Cascais: A Refuge Harbour for Historic Vessels
On the weekend of 6 and 7 June, as part of the Municipality Day celebrations and marking the 100th anniversary of the canoe Boneca, Cascais becomes a Safe Haven for Historic Vessels.
The programme spans two days and features a variety of activities, including regattas, public boat trips, a live boatyard demonstration, a historical fish market reenactment, and the unique sight of traditional vessels filling Cascais with history, culture and maritime heritage.
Part of the school project Este Mar (2025/2026) and organised by the Carcavelos School Group, with the valuable support of the Tagus Navy (EANC), Cascais City Council and GAMMA, the event focuses on the theme Cascais: A Safe Haven for Historic Vessels and celebrates the remarkable 100th anniversary of the canoe Boneca.
Boneca Canoe | A historic traditional vessel built in 1926 and donated in 1985 to the Friends of the Navy Museum Group (GAMMA) by the family of José Ricardo Domingues, a former nautical sportsman and renowned expert in the art of racing bastardo canoes. Today, Boneca is actively involved in cultural and sporting activities in Cascais under an agreement with GAMMA, through which the municipality supports the vessel's maintenance and the promotion of traditional sailing education.
PROGRAMME
Saturday – 6 June
10:00 | Boneca and Estou para Ver, sailing together, welcome and salute the vessels arriving at the Marina Events Pier. A live boatyard exhibition will take place opposite Ribeira Beach, featuring Maria da Luz, a traditional small flat-bottomed boat typical of Cascais.
11:00 | Visiting vessels berth at the Marina Events Pier and register at the Cascais Marina reception desk (between 12:00 and 14:00). Welcome ceremony in the gardens of the Sea Museum. Historical reenactment of a traditional fish market in Cascais.
14:30 – 15:30 | Sailing Regatta – Sport at School. The School Sailing Programme (EPV) takes parents and guardians on board during the regatta for a guided viewing of the racecourse. Traditional vessels take part in a nautical parade across Cascais Bay. The vessel Leão Holandês welcomes guests aboard for a guided visit.
16:00 | The vessels gather at Ribeira Beach for a group photograph.
17:30 | Medal ceremony for the student winners of the Sport at School Regatta, presented by Cascais City Council at the Navy Officers' Mess – Casa Seixas.
18:30 | Tribute to the 100th anniversary of Boneca at the Navy Officers' Mess.
19:30 | Closing celebration with anniversary cake.
Sunday – 7 June
10:00 | Public maritime tour of Cascais Bay. Registration through Cascais City Council.
12:00 | Departure of the visiting vessels. The centenarian vessels Boneca and Estou para Ver accompany the fleet as far as Carcavelos.
Target Audience: General Public
Further Information:
museumar@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 906/7
Organisation: Carcavelos School Group | Tagus Navy | Cascais Nautical Activities Centre (EANC) | Friends of the Navy Museum Group (GAMMA) | Cascais Marina
Support: Cascais City Council
