Outdoor
Activities
The landscape and the areas around the Alqueva lake allow visitors to practice various outdoor sports , on land or in water.
The mission of Amieira Marina is to give you the best of what this region has to offer. It offers the following programmes.
Dark sky
In December 2011, Alqueva was the first place in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination Certification”, awarded by the Starlight Foundation, with the support of UNESCO, OMT and IAC.
The night sky at the Alqueva has unique features for being a Dark Sky Preserve® and, therefore, is a one of a kind attraction. You can enjoy a starry sky free from light pollution, and night-time activities, in particular observing the spectacular sky. The territory around the Great Lake of Alqueva has about 3 000 km2 and largely meets the stringent criteria that define the Dark Sky Preserve®.
Requirements
_ 50% or more of cloudless nights
_ Magnitude or darkness greater than 21 mag.arc-1.sec-2
_ Night vision below 2”
_ Transparency of mag 6 in 7.
Population and environment
The region's low population density and consequent reduced light pollution and high environmental quality provide the Great Lake of Alqueva and its surrounding areas with features unlikely to be found elsewhere ni the world.
Our challenge
Imagine yourself lying at night on the deck or solarium of your Houseboat, moored at your place of choice, enjoying a fabulous sky, pinpointing the centre of the Milky Way, the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper and Cassiopeia, perhaps in good company and ... why not, sipping your favourite drink. We dare you! What more can you want?