Moorings in the Balearics

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SpiceIslander1

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I am currently on my way to the Med (in Cadiz at present) and wondered whether somebody had recent information on the mooring buoy situation in the Balearics. In conversation with other yachties the other day it was generally understood that numerous buoys had been laid in recent years for environmental reasons and these could be booked in advance. Could somebody please advise on this , particularly with reference to the general availability in the high season, cost and the booking procedure. Does one have to book via the internet or can one do it by phone.I assume that marina costs here are prohibitive in the high season, so its either a mooring buoy when available or anchoring. Any advice would be welcome.
 
Hiya,
you are correct in that marinas are stupidly expensive during summer.
this site give details of all the mooring buoys on the islands
http://www.balearslifeposidonia.eu/index.php?register_vars%5Blang%5D=en
not up and running yet for summer. Last year you booked on line and had to give 2 days advance notice, a ref number was emailed back to you, which you then gave to the "attendants" in the buoyed areas. can't remember how long you could spend in 1 place but it was no more than a week.
If its not busy you can jump on a buoy, BUT the guys WILL move you if it has been reserved and the other boat turns up.
The service last year was free, but i have been told they have lost eu funding so a small charge will be made. Over here that could mean anything!!!
Be aware that Cabrera is a different kettle of fish, thats run by Ambi Medient...you need to book 2 days in advance and by fax only, they fax you back confirmation, and it is busy over summer.
hope this helps, if i can give you any more info just ask
regards
Roy
 
Hi Roy thanks for the information, most helpful.
Just out of interest how are most yachties supposed to fax in advance for a buoy at Cabrera when the best communication most have aboard is internet access and phone!
 
Places like Mahon are always solid in high season. We found that places away from the big centres like Palma often have moorings available but the trick is to time your arrival mid to late morning usually, when people may be moving on. If you have a spot on the Friday night, don't move! Fornells on Menorca has laid loads of buoys , chiefly to limit the bottom ploughing done by anchors as skippers try to make the best of the indifferent holding. But the best advice is always to have a Plan B, even better a Plan C in case your first mooring choice is a no go.
 
In 2007, I spent a fabulous week at anchor off las Illetas just South of Palma - nipping from one anchorage to the other as the winds changed.

Then a few enjoyable days on a buoy in Porto Colom for very little money.

Things may have changed, but I cant see Illetas being buoyed, and Colom, like other places, needs a bit of luck to get a buoy - I think you can anchor for a while, and see if someone leaves.
 
We are going to be cruising the Balearics in July. Picking up incoming crew in Palma in late June. Does anyone have any good recommendations for either marinas or preferably, anchorages/buoys?
 
There are government pontoons in San antonio (Ibiza) porto colom and porto cristo (mallorca) among others. They are reasonably priced and could be booked on line last year. There was a 3 day limit in high season but this was not ridgidly enforced when we were there. Sorry I cannot find the link at present.
 
Sy-Revolution said:
We're heading that way and have yet to pick up a pilot book for the islands. So are there any/many anchorages left on the islands or it it bouys or nothing?
Click to expand...

We are currently here and are using the 8th edition of the Imray RCC books and in my opinion it needs to be updated. It was last updated last in 2006. So if there is another pilot book that is more up to date get that. This one gives the basics ok, such as the shape of the cala and the marina, but whether a bay has moorning bouys in it is pretty much a lucky guess

Most calas we have stayed at we have been able to anchor. Where available we have found the port authoritys pontoons pretty good value at around 25-30euro a night. We are 38foot http://www.portsib.es/en/paginas/home/

We have tried to keep our website http://www.tangaroayachtcharters.com up to date with our opinions of calas and marinas
 
Sy-Revolution said:
We're heading that way and have yet to pick up a pilot book for the islands. So are there any/many anchorages left on the islands or it it bouys or nothing?
Click to expand...

I have 2 good pilot books from Tula; one for Majorca and the second for Ibiza and Formentera. Pricey but you get what you pay for... (opinion:-) )
 
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