Mediterranean marinas

[Guest]

OK so i 've finally done it. after too many years bobbing about in the cold and damp, i'm going boating in the med. any comments/suggestions on marinas and prices/availability for visitors and permanent moorings from the cote de lion (my boat is being delivered to Port Louis and i have been offered a permanent mooring at Alicante) - costa blanca would be much appreciated. I've heard differing stories about huge waiting lists and big charges and being turned away when visiting to cheap marinas in beautiful locations. - who do i believe?

 

[tcm]

You'll have a great time in the med.

The general lack of availability of vistors moorings in the med is due to three factors

1. When they built these marinas (and with very deep water only yards from the shore, they are often significant constructiosns) they sold off long leases to individuals. Around 75% of marina berrths are therefore private, and as inaccessible to visitors as is your empty house when you're on holiday. The marinas can't "relent" or "let you use them just for one night" except in cases of dire (storm/ medical) emergency. Unless, of course, they release them every time they stay away for a night or a week. Of course, if the owner of the berth rents it out on an annual or seasonal basis, then there's no point in the subletter faffing about releasing the berth to the marina opertor - they get nothing back in return. All rentals wd go to the owner.

2. The med is far more international than the UK. So the often distant visitors use their boats much less. So, if they are releasing their berth, they won't do it much, simply because the ydon't use the boat that much anyway.

3. You aren't the firsdt person to have the idea of going to the med. It's very popular indeed.

So, if you have the promise of a berth anywhere, take it immediately. Don't worry too much about the lack of visitor berths atat other ports over Easter and from septemebr when every single boat is snuggled back in its home port. From May onwards, they'll have spaces (call mmediately after lunch on VHF or take a mobile phomne and call in the morning to book) .

But much nicer to use the anchor and dinghy, staying out as often as possible in far calmer waters (in summer) than there are in the UK. Tye marinas are sticky places in high summer, but often have protection entrances where you can anchor. And because of point 3, lots of people stay out at anchor cos the prices for overnighting are 2-3 times what they are in low season. Busiest marina charge towards 90 quid a night for a 50 footer in high season, towards £250 per night for a 75 footer, for example.

The good news is that daytime stops are invariably free gratis, so you can nip in, have lunch and stock up for no charge provided that you leave sometime in the afternoon.