Liveaboards in Cartegena, Spain

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Debs15

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Hi, Are there any liveaboards now or have spent time in Cartegena? We would love your feedback!
We are looking to move the boat from Greece to Cartegena for the winter for the climate and easy, cheap travel from/to UK.
What is the marina like? Good and bad points?
Is there a good liveaboard community?
Any tax issues to think about?
I have already heard that the town is great and open as normal in winter.
Your info would be much appreciated!
many thanks, Debs
 
can not give you much as we were there for only a week or so
but there are some brit liveaboards there and have been for a few years
the town is simply wonderful - big enough yet small enough
the marina is very good with good people - have not been in a lot of marinas on this side of the pond but we thought it was nice and well kept - they were redoing the heads and showers when we were there this past summer

contact them as they were very helpful to us when we were thinking of wintering over there
 
We spent the 2011/12 winter there.
Good marina, although showers were portacabin awaiting upgrade. On the doorstep of a pleasant city, very Spanish, not full of expats.
Several supermarkets within a short walk.
When we were there, there was a particularly good community of liveaboards for 3/4 months.
We understand that the marina does not now offer quite such a good deal ie now charging extra for electricity.
 
I also visited in November and the the new loos and showers were fully functioning.
I found it quite cool! But did useful work and even attended two jazz concerts.
There are also a couple of chandleries, one in the fishing harbour and one a little further east.
 
You might also like to think about La Manga and the Mar Menor.

The Tomas Maestre marina - half way up the La Manga spit, in the entrance to the Mar Menor - lies about 20 miles from Cartagena. It's a miserable sort of place, especially in the winter (empty tower blocks, rows of shops full of ticky-tacky for the tourists) but it might be cheaper... and if money-saving is a priority, the Mar Menor offers the opportunity to anchor - for free. We spent a year doing this. (2008) More details if you're interested.

Cartagena is a nice town, with lots of history and a couple of really good festivals - one for Easter and one known as the Carthagenians versus the Romans. Between the two places lies a rugged coast with lots of good walking and a couple of fairly inaccessible beaches.

Given sufficient money I would always plump for Cartagena; but I just thought you might like to hear about this other option.
Oh - the only other thing to be said for it is that it's very convenient for flights home. A ferry calls at the Tomas Maestre marina - several times a day, as I recall - and runs people across to Santiago de la Ribeira, a small town on the opposite shore of the Mar Menor. The international airport (San Javier) is only half a mile or so from the ferry terminal in Ribeira.

Jill
 
We are spending the winter here now in the Yacht Port. Can thoroughly recommend it. There is no surcharge for cats this year and the winter rate is reasonable. Security is good and the staff very helpful. The new shower block is a major improvement.
Cartagena is a great place. Lots have gone on since we arrived in late October and plenty of history if you like that sort of thing. Two decent chandleries in walking distance.
Had a couple of blows but the weather has been warm and sunny most of the time.
Not much of a community this year but people are friendly enough.
Can't think of a downside really.
 
Thanks Huggers.

Did you haggle any discount from the website price list or do they not even consider it? Would it be wise to book early?

Does the marina have good depth. We are 2.1 draft.

From all accounts...thanks all for your replies...it sounds a great place to be.
 
Did not haggle as so surprised at overall deal - free wifi for duration, no surcharge for our cat. Marina is 2/3 full at mo.
We are in 12m. Even close to quay there are 50 footers so your keel should be fine.
Being lifted out round the corner in 10 days. Can let you know how that goes.
 
Hi huggers, I'd be interested to know how much the lift costs and how it goes.
I've been warned the local yard is v expensive, but it makes sense to use it, especially if the travelift
will straddle your cat!! In fact I'd like to know the width of the slip, will it take the 7.5mtrs of tri39!?
 
We loved Cartagena in the time we were there. It is such a vibrant city with so much to to do.
There are plenty of photographs and a blog on our website.
Any questions then please just ask...

www.cygnus3.com
 
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