Alicante or Torrevieja???

[Pandion]

Family of 3 sailing towards the Costa Blanca area this summer to winter in our boat there. Our luxurios problem is that we can't decide wether to stay in Alicante or Torrevieja. We're afraid that Torrevieja is not "spanish enough" but we are also insecure wether Alicante is a suitable port or not. (we have never been to either of these towns) I assume that we have to pre-book and therefore decide pretty soon. Any comments?

Jon
S/Y Pandion
Oslo

 

[colvic]

As the good lady says, size is all important. The bigger you are the less chance of getting a berth as the south coast is very full. As of 19th. february, Almerimar would be your best bet but they don't take advance bookings, very few do infact, but when you are there and money is in the offing a space tends to be found! Do not say you want to be out on the hard all winter as that is not the rule in Spain and you will usually be given a time limit. Lots of folks tend to have the boat lifted then find a "problem"just before going back to UK which can't be fixed until they return. But why go back to the UK for winter? For the last three years the best sailing conditions have been from early January to end of March.


Phil

 

[Asm]

I would suggest Alicante, although it may be a bit noisy at the weekend. Their appears to be a mini crime wave in and around torrevieja, caused mainly by illegal immigrants . Also the marina there is in financial difficulties, existing users are being asked to buy existing berths or being forced to leave. A large number of empty berths now exist. Rumour & speculation suggests the involvement of organised crime.

 

[Dallas]

ASM

Hi. I have just returned from a week in Torrevieja. Used it as a base to check out the marinas. As far as I could tell the one thing going for it was it was condiderably cheaper than Alicante which I also visited. Also Alicante has a potential security problem in that anyone can get easy access to the boats. There is a security station with a barrier but this is only used for cars and pedestrians just walk around it.

The crime problem in Torrevieja was a major problem but a lot of the residents have started the equivelent of neighbourhood watch schemes and the police are very activly involved. As for organised crime, I heard nothing about this and the person I stayed with (my sisters fiancee) is ex. Welch CID and is very active with the police in the new watch scheme. I will mention it and post his answer here but as of a fortnight ago he never spoke of any organised crime problems.

Dallas

 

[frank65]

As an alternative to Alicante/Torrievieja, why not consider Tomas Mestre Port in La Manga del Mar Menor. There is usually plenty of room. Don't know about prices and I reckon crime is virtually non existant, due maybe to there being only one road from the mainland onto La Manga, so it's easily policed. I have an apartment near the port so have some experience there.

 

[ccscott49]

Where is this place and will they take 17 meter boats? Prices aswell if you have them? Thanks!

 

[frank65]

Puerto Tomas Mestre is south of Torrevieja,near Cabo de Palos and north of Cartagena. The port is entered from the Med via a swing bridge and is on the Mar Menor. It's clean,well run and pleasant and could easily accomodate your boat size. Good Luck!

 

[Dallas]

La Manga is also the most beautiful place I have ever visited. As already said it has only one road in and out because it is on a spit of land that extends some miles out to sea. It has the Med on one sode and a lake? on the other. The town is clean, the road is quite wide - until you get to the end where it narrows and ends up on a beach with a few houses dotted around.

The Marina is clean and tidy and has some very large boats there. Also there are lots of cafe's and bars running all along on one side. The place realy is very nice, wish I lived there.

Dallas

 

[Gallant Spirit]

We are currently berthed in Santa Pola just west of Alicante ( closer to airport )
the marina mirimar is very new with excellent fixed pontoons up to 16m then med mooring after, very friendly staff and good security , CCTV card access etc etc and right in the heart of the town, very very spanish although not cheap we are 1400€/month for 15m
in high season about 650€ ( inc IVA) low season oh and the best toilet block we have found in the med after 2 years drifting about.

 

[Gallant Spirit]

oops should check the date, a few years out lol

 

[chinita]

oops should check the date, a few years out lol

Classic.

There must be someone with a wicked sense of humour resurrecting ancient threads

 

[anniebray]

Family of 3 sailing towards the Costa Blanca area this summer to winter in our boat there. Our luxurios problem is that we can't decide wether to stay in Alicante or Torrevieja. We're afraid that Torrevieja is not "spanish enough" but we are also insecure wether Alicante is a suitable port or not. (we have never been to either of these towns) I assume that we have to pre-book and therefore decide pretty soon. Any comments?

Jon
S/Y Pandion
Oslo

Please also consider Cartagena which is close to where you're looking. I spent last winter there its a fabulous place & we had a great community there. It's a genuine Spanish town going back 2500 yrs ,has good shopping & markets but has just a small beach which has saved it from being ruined by the tourist industry. (Google "Yacht Port Cartagena")

 

[chinita]

Please also consider Cartagena which is close to where you're looking. I spent last winter there its a fabulous place & we had a great community there. It's a genuine Spanish town going back 2500 yrs ,has good shopping & markets but has just a small beach which has saved it from being ruined by the tourist industry. (Google "Yacht Port Cartagena")

The original post dates from March 2002. I think that they have probably found somewhere by now

 

[Ocean Safari]

Santa Pola

Never mind. Santa Pola is excelent we spent 4 enjoyable years with boat in the marina.

 

[Grehan]

The original post dates from March 2002. I think that they have probably found somewhere by now

Looks like they got back to Scandinavia . . .
http://www.ksss.se/race/batsida/?reportId=81
(ain't Google wonderful! )

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Where is this place and will they take 17 meter boats? Prices as well if you have them? Thanks!

Why are you considering leaving Greece?

 

[billskip]

Why are you considering leaving Greece?

Don't think Scotty has got to Greece yet Bob (04/03/02)

People at the LHC may be interested though

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Don't think Scotty has got to Greece yet Bob (04/03/02)

People at the LHC may be interested though

I think he has .Anyway how are you keeping and where abouts are you ?

 

[Jamesuk]

Family of 3 sailing towards the Costa Blanca area this summer to winter in our boat there. Our luxurios problem is that we can't decide wether to stay in Alicante or Torrevieja. We're afraid that Torrevieja is not "spanish enough" but we are also insecure wether Alicante is a suitable port or not. (we have never been to either of these towns) I assume that we have to pre-book and therefore decide pretty soon. Any comments?

Jon
S/Y Pandion
Oslo

I am in Alicante right now and will be for another 5 weeks. The port is Good, security is present. I look around and there are Spaces. We had no problem getting in, we did not book and we are here for 7 weeks total in Peak season.

Options on Electricity Metered or a fixed rate. We were advised on the later, so I have been running AC 24/7. The town itself is really quite specially with a huge Fortress overlooking the city. Lots of things to do in the town and the Melia Hotel with Spa facilities is 300 metres away.

It is stern two moorings and water is included.

The Best thing is the airport is very close too, Murcia airport is 100 Euro Taxi ride away.