Marinas in Med

[Thomas]

I am planning to take my Sigma to the med, late 2003. I have heard that long term marina berhs are very hard to come by on the sout coast of France & east coast of Spain. Any views please.

 

[MAURICE]

Have you considered Gibraltar I keep my boat at marina bay normally has lots of space. Its also a little cheaper than Spain, plus they do speak English

 

[charles_reed]

I'd keep away from Gibraltar - whilst cheaper than the UK, it is rather more expensive than most of the Spanish marinas and swell problems can be daunting.

Try the following marinas - they had vacancies this spring:

1. Cartagena - real club des regates
2. Tomas Mestre - at the entrance to Mar Menor, cheap flights by Buzz to San Xavier next door (they call it Murcia and should be done for misrepresentation). It's only a 35euro cab from there to Cartagena.
3. Almerimar - excellent shelter, soulless development, but full of foreign yotties and reasonable facilities. Flights to Malaga.

Personally I think the Western Med is the world's greatest non-event - only provided as a challenging test to surmount on the way to the more pleasant parts of the Western Med.

Why not try the Algarve and Spanish Atlantic coasts?
Far better sailing, scenery and cleanliness at a much lower price.

 

[Altair]

I have just returned from the Med. Almerimar is one of the cheapest and seems to have vacancies, dreadful place but easy bus ride from Malaga. Barbate (near Trafalgar) was badly damaged earlier in the year but should be open soon, and is quite good. Algarve is much better. A new marina at Portimao is desperate for business and will do deals, excellent facilities. Further north, small places like Piniche and Figaro-de-Foz, are good value. There are a number of places in the Spanish rias offering good shelter and reasonable access from u.k.
Once you have bought your duty free and fed the apes, Gib has as much charm as Blackpool on a bank holiday, and it's not particularly cheap.

 

[tome]

Gibraltar = Aldershot del Sole

nm