Marina on the Costa Blanca next year??

DavidJ

DavidJ

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home in Brum. S37 sold, was in Med Spain.
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We've had a couple of great years on the Costa Brava and want to move down to the Costa Blanca after the summer next year probably for a couple of years. I rather fancy Denia (from pictures only) but they don't answer e-mails. Has anyone had experience of wintering the boat there or somewhere around there.
David
 
Moored in Denia for about 6 months last year. Now we're in Palma which sort of says something I suppose. Problem no1 with Denia is that it is a minimum of 1.5hrs hard drive from any international airport ie. Alicante or Valencia. Problem no 2 is that this particular stretch of coastline is known for being quite windy and, although there are a number of pleasant anchorages south of Denia, none are protected from an easterly wind which seems to happen quite a lot. Problem no3 is that Denia itself is dead out of season; its not a particularly attractive place anyway although there are 1 or 2 half decent restaurants
On the other hand, the marina itself is very good. It's modern, there's 32A leccy, a fuel quay which seems to be open most of the time, a big hoist, hardstanding and bars/restaurants around the marina more of which seem to be opening up. Fairline have opened an office there so they must think its on the up. Also, I found getting technical assistance was'nt a problem and peeps seemed very helpful
Denia is also a good jumping off point for the Balearics, Ibiza being only 60nm away. Having explored the coast either side of Denia, we found ourselves heading off for the Balearics at every oppurtunity so thats why we decided to move there
 
Thanks Mike, really useful. One of the things we love is to be able to 'pop out' from the marina and drop the anchor in a choice of bays within say half an hour. The Costa Brava is great for this, does the Costa Blanca lend itself to this.
We have some friends with a house near Denia which is the 'pull' at the moment but I can see ourselves getting 'pulled' to the Balerics eventually.
David
 
Yes, there are anchorages within 30-60mins run of Denia but only to the south. However, when there are easterlies, as there often are and when the sea breeze kicks in during the afternoon, most of these anchorages are untenable. You can get some shelter from easterlies off Moraira or Calpe but even there the swell gets into the anchorages. The other problem is that sea conditions can be quite nasty off this coast especially off the headlands. The steep-to coastline seems to reflect the waves and cause a confused sea
I dont want to exaggerate the situation because there are many days when it is perfectly calm but we returned from the Balearics 3 times last season in a slight sea to find boisterous conditions off Denia
 
Mike, thanks
I seriously thinking of a plan change now and locating to the Balerics and visiting our friends in Denia from there. What marina do you recommend that we try to get a 1 or 2 year booking on. Our boat is 37ft.

This question is open to anyone of course

David
 
Echo what all others have said.
We are in Marina de Denia. More bars have opened up and in the summer months (now) then the music goes on until 7 in the morning!

Good showers in the marina, accessed by card key, as is the berthholders car park area. Acess to shops is a 10 to 15 minute walk, and a few good restaurants within a 5 minute walk. Restaurants in the marina are pricey as they have the marina rent to pay.

There is a new service in the marina, Mundo Maritimo, providing local services; a selection of foods, ice, washing, charts, etc. They also find berths in local marinas. If you want their contact details I'll pop into their shop 4 u.

The one big drawback we find here is the ATTITUDE OF THE OFFICE STAFF - unbelievably rude and lacking in social skills. The sailors/marineros are, as ever, fantastic.

Any other details then just ask
Steve
www.seraph-sailing.com
 
Steve, thanks for that.
I will be in Denia at the end of September (by car) so it would be useful to drop in on Mundo Maritimo. I would appreciate some contact details.
Interesting comments about office staff, which is probably why they never reply to my e-mails. They just don't understand that they are part of the entertainment industry.
David
 
David, I strongly suggest that you assess Denia for yourself before changing your mind!! Finding a marina in the Balearics is a very hit and miss affair unless you're willing to buy a berth. We found a berth in Club de Mar in Palma by accident. Last October half term we took the boat to Palma from Denia, found a short term berth in Club de Mar and asked to stay for a few weeks. No problem they said as it was low season so a few weeks turned into a few months and I started to get to know one or two staff in the marina office. Basically, as far as I can see, once you build up a relationship with them and pay your bills, you seem to be able to stay as long as you like. I sold my previous boat in April and I'm planning to take my new boat back to Palma next week and they have promised me a berth despite the fact it's August
There are 5 marinas in Palma from west to east - Club de Mar, Marina Port de Majorca, one whose name I can't remember, Real Club Nautico and Pier 46. If you ring them up and ask for a berth, doubtless you will get a negative response. The best way seems to be to just turn up with your boat, get a berth and don't leave. The only one I dont like the look of is Pier 46 which seems very dirty, a bit bleak and they chuck you out for the Palma boat show.
The further away from Palma you go, the more likely you are to find a berth but the further you will have to travel from the airport. In no particular order we liked Cala d'Or, Santa Ponsa and Andraitx. I would stay clear of Portals, its v expensive and security is supposed to be poor. There are 2 marinas in the north at Alcudia and Pollensa which seem to have empty berths and might be worth considering as they are building a motorway between Palma and the north of the island
We have visited Ibiza a few times. It is an excellent cruising ground but I would'nt keep my boat there permanently because of the lack of scheduled flights from the UK. Similarly, Menorca is supposed to be less crowded but also has fewer flights than Majorca
We like Palma because of its proximity to the airport (15 mins by taxi), Palma itself is quite an attractive city and the old town has plenty of restaurants. The bay of Palma is quite sheltered and there are good anchorages within 30mins run and you can find shelter from any wind. The cruising possibilities are extensive with loads of calas on the east coast and mountainous scenery on the west. We have'nt done the north coast but that looks good as well and then both Ibiza and Menorca are 3-4 hrs away @ 20knots
 
Mike, thanks for your very extensive reply and good advice. Moving on is difficult because we are quite happy where we are in the Costa Brava and have the berth for as long as we want it. However one must move on to keep the sence of adventure. Denia doesn't feel like a progression though.
Palma would be great for us with Flybe and MyTravelLite both running out from Birmingham.
Hey Ho lets see!
David
 
We are in Alcudia and I think you would be ok renting their, not sure about Pollensa.

It is a bit of a drag from the airport which no doubt will improve when the new road opens but I think that is some time off. Its worth it when you get there though, some stunning cruising grounds and anchorages. Probably fewer cruising days though as the area is generally open to the north and east so much less shelter from wind and swell than Palma. Also not really convenient for quick trip to see friends in Denia.

Have considered a move to Palma ourselves but decided its not for us. Don't like the idea of having to cross a six lane highway to get anywhere and it all feels a bit built up to me. Portals is OK for people watching but really wouldn't want to be there, far too posey.

Also evidence from plane window seems to suggest that anchorages around south are much busier than "up north"

Funnily enough we were thinking of doing the reverse and giving the Costa Brava a go in a couple of years.,

Martyn
 
Mondo Maritimo contact (google)
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl...undo%2Bmaritimo,%2Bdenia%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGLG,GGLG:2005-20,GGLG:en

Quite useful as they have a search facility for berths and it gives you their phone number The link to their Denia office works but then the drill down comes up with errors. I'll pop into their office and tell them.

Not surprised the marina doesn't mail back. What's the size of your boat and your questions. I'll go into the marina office and get the answers for you.

Steve
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'll go into the marina office and get the answers for you.


[/ QUOTE ]
Thats really nice of you Steve.
Boat details are:
Name "Arion"
Type Sealine S37 Motor Boat with twin KAD43
Length 11.3m
Beam 3.7m
Draught 1.0m
Required period of stay One year from Sept 2006

I would appreciate if you could get a 'feel' for the possibility but it is one year ahead so I'd be surprised if they could commit themselves.
ta
David
 
Thanks Martyn
Drop me a PM if there is anything you want about the Costa Brava when you decide to go.
Just a summary of plus and minus points.
The winds really come down in the winter so would only consider the Empuriabrava marina for wintering because its a canal system and no waves.
Empurabrava is a holiday town (city!) on canals so everything is convenient, excellent supermarkets, shops, cafes, pubs, apartments for friends who don't want to stay on the boat, boat services and loads of average restaurents. Mini Golf, go-karts, jumping out of planes, the lot.....however it's hugely crowded in August but OK the rest of the time.
Girona and Perpignan airports 50 miles south and north.
The scenery up to the French border is spectacular with loads of bays that are only accesible by boat. To the south are the Medas islands, excellent for diving.
...and its £2500 pa for a 37ft boat with free electricity for that size (don't tell them I have AC!). which I think is cheap but also poor shower/toilet facilities.
Hope that gives a balanced flavour
David
 
Last year a 15m berth in Denia was about £7500 with all the add-ons so for a 12m berth I guess you'll pay double what you're paying now and possibly even more in Majorca. Maybe Costa Brava is not such a bad place?
 
Hi David
Why dont you give Moriai a go I have just returned from cruising round Ibiza, and stayed in Moriai for 2 nights. there seemed to be plenty of room & we had no problem getting berths for 3 boats 1x 10 metre & 2 x 9 metre, also very pleasant marina with good facilitys & ample bars & restauraunts. In Ibiza we always anchored in the Cala's only going into the marinas for fuel & water.
However as Mike quite rightly says cultivating the Spanish is a vital part of getting on. A few euros spread about & prompt payment will work wonders.....nat
 
Where's Moriai? Do you mean Moraira on the main land because I agree with you that it is a nice place with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby but I would be surprised if they had any long term berths available. You never know so worth a visit
 
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