Mediterranean Spain

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Independence

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I'm in the early stages of researching 4 - 5 months cruising Mediterranean Spain.

There looks lots of places to see and go and I was wondering if anyone could recommend any marina's / harbours / areas I should start researching and just as important anywhere I should stay away from.

General outline:
31 foot sailing boat
Draft 5' 4" in old money!
Quieter areas preferred
Reasonably priced (what ever that mean be in the Med'?!)

Thanks
 
http://www.jimbsail.info/mediterranean/west-med/south-med-spain is a reasonably thorough description of the area from a boat's point of view. It identifies wintering spots and transport links.

Once you've read that, you should know whether the area meets your tastes or not. It's a coast of passage, rather than a cruising ground. But sunny in winter! Once you've decided if it fits, you can then review what pilot books you may want through the links on the site, and inspect charts of the region.
 
add Cartagena to your list, no English breakfasts there ! Was established 3000years ago & even has an amphitheatre. This is real Spain & I was lucky enough to spend a Winter there.
 
I'd keep away from Mediterranean Spain, probably the least appealing of all the Mediterranean coasts.
Far better Atlantic Spain and Portugal - the Rias Biaxas, Chipiona, Ayamonte, Cadiz, Chipiona, the Guadalquivir and Seville, Guadiana and Mertola, though you'll be challenged depthwise getting to the latter.
Mediterranean Spain is eminently forgettable, expensive and overcrowded with the possible exception of Cartagena, which is an easy coach ride from the wonders of Granada.
 
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charles_reed said:
I'd keep away from Mediterranean Spain, probably the least appealing of all the Mediterranean coasts.
Far better Atlantic Spain and Portugal - the Rias Biaxas, Chipiona, Cartagena, Ayamonte, Cadiz, Chipiona, the Guadalquivir and Seville, Guadiana and Mertola, though you'll be challenged depthwise getting to the latter.
Mediterranean Spain is eminently forgettable, expensive and overcrowded.
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While I agree with much of that Cartagena is in the med
 
Barcelona, Sitges we keep the boat at Castelldefels not very English at all and is in between Barcelona and Sitges. Rail, airport links good. Very Spanish sorry Catalunyan. Would agree not pretty bays more coastal passages. Another place to try in Mallorca is Soller, very pretty entrance nice anchorage except in strong westerlies, and lovely town.
 
A1GSS said:
It's certainly unappealing in Alicante, or Benidorm, or Gandia or most of the Costa del Sol but that's not a reason to dismiss it altogether. Barcelona? stunning.
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Through my boozy haze on a Friday evening. Alicante, Benidorm and Gandia are on the Costa Blanca (not Costa Del Sol).

IIRC Benidorm doesn't have a marina per se: it has a fishing port and you won't get in there

Alicante is quite good and it has two marinas - the one on the left is fine and much cheaper than t'other.

Couple of nice marinas in that neck of the woods: Oliva (is river fed and can silt - call them to see if you can get in) and Villajoyosa.

Check on short term berthing prices: eg Moraira; probably put you on the wall and won't declare that you will have to pay "G5" tax as well

One advantage - most marinas have a yacht club;eg Calpe, use their facilities: a couple of beers, lunch, etc then you won't be charged for short term berthing
 
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Cartagena is brill, especially early September when the whole city goes daft with the 'Romans and Carthaginians' festival. Worth looking on google. Party on!
 
Lots of lovely harbours in the Costa Brava.... plenty of anchorage opportuniities in settled weather... Barcelona or Girona to the North, to Palamos or even further down as far as Valencia.... only problem is that if it cuts up a bit rough, then the marinas are a bit expensive.... easy access to The Balearics too..
 
Steve Clayton said:
Through my boozy haze on a Friday evening. Alicante, Benidorm and Gandia are on the Costa Blanca (not Costa Del Sol).

IIRC Benidorm doesn't have a marina per se: it has a fishing port and you won't get in there

Alicante is quite good and it has two marinas - the one on the left is fine and much cheaper than t'other.

Couple of nice marinas in that neck of the woods: Oliva (is river fed and can silt - call them to see if you can get in) and Villajoyosa.

Check on short term berthing prices: eg Moraira; probably put you on the wall and won't declare that you will have to pay "G5" tax as well

One advantage - most marinas have a yacht club;eg Calpe, use their facilities: a couple of beers, lunch, etc then you won't be charged for short term berthing
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i celebrated my 40th birthday in the marina in Calpe, a real multicultural bbq was had, even the dog was bi-lingual
 
I have a little experience of Med Spain. Not the best sailing, not the cheapest berths and not much anchoring potential away from the islands.

BUT-it has the weather! Nobody has yet mentioned the Mar Menor-surely a good winter spot.

Apres Sail possibilities are endless-resturants, bars, street food and Sailing Clubs to suit all budgets.

Leaving the Dink can be a challenge now and then-best to use the facilities of a Sailing Club and then go shopping or whatever. They will invariably charge otherwise.

We really liked Cartagena, Alicante and Torrevieja-all were quiet in the winter months and the real Spanish experience could be found if you went where the locals went. Cheaper too!
 
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