Balearics Question - Can We Splash & Dash?

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Mrs Springy

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We've just arrived in the Balearics, we're currently anchored off Espalmador and very nice it is too (the anchor is definitely in a sandy patch, avoiding the eel grass!)

Do any of you know whether it's possible to arrive at a marina, tie up to say, the fuel pontoon or waiting pontoon, and do a 'splash and dash' i.e. just fill up with water, pay for it and then leave. Or does one have to pay for a day's berthing?

We intend mooching around the Balearics for a while and will be anchoring rather than going into marinas. Shopping and provisioning we can cope with by dinghy but we'll obviously need to top up the water tanks from time to time.

I've had a look at pilot books and various marinas' websites but can't find an answer to my query.

Any info will be gratefully received.
 
Mrs Springy said:
We've just arrived in the Balearics, we're currently anchored off Espalmador and very nice it is too (the anchor is definitely in a sandy patch, avoiding the eel grass!)

Do any of you know whether it's possible to arrive at a marina, tie up to say, the fuel pontoon or waiting pontoon, and do a 'splash and dash' i.e. just fill up with water, pay for it and then leave. Or does one have to pay for a day's berthing?

We intend mooching around the Balearics for a while and will be anchoring rather than going into marinas. Shopping and provisioning we can cope with by dinghy but we'll obviously need to top up the water tanks from time to time.

I've had a look at pilot books and various marinas' websites but can't find an answer to my query.

Any info will be gratefully received.
Click to expand...

They allowed us to do that in San Antonio at the yacht club and at alcudia marina, on the fuel pontoon.
They may allow it at the yacht club in pollensa also.
 
At San Antonio we had to book with the Capitainere for a time to receive water. At the appointed time (or near enough) two girls arrived and switched on the pump. We paid - not a lot.

In Majorca when we radioed CN Palma with a request for water they told us we needed a berth. We said 'ok', they said 'we are full'.

We moved clockwise around the island before finally managing to fill up properly at Pollensa - where there was an unseemly jostling of about five boats at the fuel point.

In Menorca we filled up with no problem at the fuel quay in Mahon. Water was free (then) but we took on fuel as well.

Alternatively there is the floating water pontoon in the middle of Mahon Harbour. You pay by means of a slot machine.

Cala Fornells, on the East side of Menorca has a water point but watch your draft. I think it is less than 2m and you may struggle to locate the manky hosepipe which may have migrated somewhere inconvenient.

The message is to grab it while you can. Wash the boat down, take a shower, do your hair and fill every water holding receptacle you can find.

If anybody objects to this just smile, nod and say 'Ja, Danke, Ich bin ein Berliner' to them :)
 
We filled up our water tanks at the marina in the little town there next to Espalmador...can't remember what it's called offhand (it's my age!). They meter the water and you pay for how much you use...the water didn't cost much but the standing charge for tying up whilst we did it was ten Euros!!!
 
We did just what you're suggesting yesterday in Mahon.
We filled with diesel at the fuel dock, but being a very new installation they don't have water.
We tied to the pontoon hammerhead at the adjacent Marina Mahon and filled with water for 10euros- everyone involved was very friendly.
The marina wasn't keen to let us stop to shop although the fuel dock had a space that we could have used but depths alongside looked to shallow & the staff their didn't know them with any confidence.
 
When we spent two weeks in Espalmador two years ago we went into Formentera Marina and paid a few Euros to tie up for 3 hours, rented a water meter to enable the tanks to be filled, did our shopping and back out again.

To arrange this we called the harbour masters office on VHF, and all worked well. Seems it is best for them and availability if you plan to go in about 11.00 am.

There was no water available at the fuel dock.

We are hoping for the same again while there for two weeks July / August.

Please let us know how you get on with this arrangement.

Graham
 
That is fine in theory.

In practice, getting a berth is a rather different matter.

I can only speak for Andratx, Pollenca and Fornells but berths cannot be pre-booked and you have to weigh anchor, motor in and hope for the best. We have lurked off the pontoons at Andratx for several hours waiting for someone to slip and leave.

The best thing a bout these facilities is that they restrict stays to three days - which, at least, means a fair chance for all without boats hogging the pontoons for weeks on end.
 
You can book IB Port Marina's on-line via their web site -it's very easy. You do need to book 3 days in advance though.
We spent 6 nights on the IB Port pontoon in April & were lucky to get a space as we hadn't booked. When i asked the HM what would have happened if we'd booked he said that many of the boats where only there because of lack of demand from Transit boats & if there was a booking he's turf someone off!
 
Once again, thanks for all the info and pointers.

We filled up with water this morning at the fuel pontoon in San Antonio.

8 euros for a 30 minute stay and the use of a clean and very high powered hose! Friendly and helpful staff so all good news.

The pontoon is open every day from 09.00 until sunset.
 
Balearics Cruise Guide

Anyone visiting the Balearics for the first time may find this page useful:

http://jimbsail.info/mediterranean/west-med/balearics

It compares the various islands, their anchorages, and gives links to the rules about anchoring limitations in Posidonia reserves and details about port facilities, as well as listing some special attractions.

And those who know the place well are very welcome to add their own comments to the pages - correcting my biased point of view!
 
Bargain priced launderette :-)

An additional bit of info that may be of use to some of you:-

Even when at anchor in San Antonio harbour, the Club Nautico are happy for you to use their laundry facilities (nice, clean Miele machines).

2 euro per wash including detergent and softener which is by far the cheapest we've come across. The tumble driers also cost 2 euro but, with the weather as it is, I didn't feel the need to use one - everything's dry on the line within 45 minutes :)

The process is a little bit drawn out in that they prefer you to either phone or call them on channel 9 to ask if you can use the facilities. You then have to go to the office where the staff will call up the marinero who holds the key to the launderette. You then have to walk around to the far side of the marina (near the entrance to the ro-ro ferry dock) and await said marinero with the key. Once the machine is loaded, they lock you out and you then have to call them again to unlock the door at the end of the machine cycle (about 45 mins).

However, this does give you time to go for a nice coffee or glass of something in their bar or one of the variety of others and for HWMBO to visit the incredibly well-stocked chandlery just a few yards away.
 
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