Up the Guadalquivir to Seville

D

david36

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Mar 2005
Messages
269
Visit site
As part of our 2011 planning we are considering a trip up the Guadalquivir to Seville. Does anyone have up-to-date information regarding the availability of marinas plus times of opening of the lock and bridge which would be useful? We have the usual Pilot books but have been advised that the detail has changed quite a lot since publication.
We would probably want to make the trip in May or early June.
Thank you in anticipation.
Fair winds to all.
 
Don't go in the Summer. It's mind numbingly hot and the marinas are full. Always call in advance whatever time of year you go. When in Seville don't miss the cathedral, the castle or the dancing horses (book that well in advance). It's a wonderful place.
 
KellysEye said:
Don't go in the Summer. It's mind numbingly hot and the marinas are full. Always call in advance whatever time of year you go. When in Seville don't miss the cathedral, the castle or the dancing horses (book that well in advance). It's a wonderful place.
Click to expand...

I prefer the dancing girls.
 
We made the same trip a few years ago and were advised by the Marina at Chipiona that the bridge opens 'on request'.

Erm, yes........we motored around for two hours 'requesting'. A friendly German yachtie berthed at CN Seville saw our predicament, radioed to tell us that the opening times were just twice per week. We ended up waiting for two days at a grotty marina up river. No transport into Seville other than by taxi, no stores or shops and dire facilities. The lock is no problem and seems to open fairly regularly to accommodate larger coasters (which give no quarter by the way!)

I would advise that you phone CN Seville for the best information both on bridge and marina availability. Even better, moor at Chipiona and recce by bus to Seville.

The CN is limited in space for anything over 10m. We were 14m and had to moor stern to using anchor (Greek and Turkish style). The marina is also not too cheap.

Nice to tick it off your list but, frankly, I don't think I would do it again. The river trip is pretty dull. I also agree over timing, we went in September and it was still very hot.

On the plus side, we have Swedish friends who wintered there and had a fab time.
 
It is fantastic! Clicky

Never mind hot, they got 3 swimming pools! Actually, mid summer is a tad hot, the city lays in a baisin and has little airflow june to august.

Prices are not too bad when you consider the facilities and include harbour dues etc. Last September was arond 25 euros a night, 37 foot boat.

Right near town, but peaceful. Over the next bridge upstream and you are right at the huge park and its plza, highly decorated. Next door to the cathedral is an Irish bar where you can watch the footie.........!

The big new lock was just coming on line last September. They often let yacts go through when they are operating for commercial traffic but routine small craft times are Mon, Wed, Fri 1000, 2100 and 2300, Tue Thur, Not the last one, Sat, Sun and holidays, 1000 1900 2100.

Essential to email or call marina in advance, they will make sure bridge opens and berth you. When you do the bill, they will do the same for your departure. I like the early Sunday evening one.

I also enjoy the river, lots of it can be sailed and there are a couple of places to anchor, means you dont have to do it in one. If you get thrugh the lock early, go through old lock and round to starboard is an old tatty looking but well run small marina, but I have anchored off it and cooked dinner whist waiting for bridge.
 
Part 2!!

There is, as someone mentioned, a small marina at Gelves, turn left before new lock. A long way put of town though. Looks a bit worn out, but very friendly, drinks cheap and first night free!!

The yacht club is also very friendly, tapas and beer on the terrace overlooking river is cheap and fab.

Do pm if you have any questions!!

CS
 
capnsensible said:
Part 2!!

There is, as someone mentioned, a small marina at Gelves, turn left before new lock.
Click to expand...

You can also anchor off Gelves marina. Holding excellent. Wouldn't recomend rowing a tender ashore, though -- the tide rips past at springs. Outboard recommended.

Big yachts also need to watch out for the power lines about 500m south of Gelves marina. From memory the air draft is around 18 metres, but do check.

I popped up to Gelves three years ago in April. The wildlife reserve on the west bank is special. I'd planned to get to Gelves in one tide (easily doable), but halfway up came upon a storkery (is that a word?...anyway, about 20 pairs of storks busy nest-building and clacking bills). Dropped the hook for the night and watched them. Enchanting.

One word of caution: the run from Bonanza towards Chipiona can be pretty boisterous with wind over tide. And although there's a good-looking anchorage off the west shore just north of Bonanza, the mozzies like it, too.

Incidentally, although the downstream tidal window is much shorter than the upstream, it's perfectly feasible to get from Gelves to Bonanza on a single tide, with perhaps just a spot of punching at the end.
 
In 2007 spent two months anchored off Gelves in April and May, enjoying Semana Santa, Feria, and visiting Cordoba for their Patio Festival. A massive highlight of the five seasons since we left the UK.

I would only bother with going through the lock into town (which I haven't done since 1998 or 1999!) if either I was going to winter in the Club, or I had no desire to anchor. Gelves is a 1EU busride from town, free, and safe. (If you winter on the hook watch out for floods.)

Very very hot in the summer.
 
We did it last September and it was probably the highlight of last years cruising. Easy motor from Chippiona up to Guelves over one tide. The air draft under the pylons approaching Guelves is 19m (not 16.5m as on some charts).

Guelves is fantastic - marina link is: http://www.puertogelves.com/ There is also a price list in English on the site. I think it cost us about 12 Euro's per night although you can anchor off in the river if you want. At first we came alongside in the marina but it was very hot so we moved out onto the riverside pontoons (water, electric and free wi-fi) which had afternoon shade and a bit of breeze.

The village is charming, everybody was very friendly, nice tapas bars etc. The bus ride into town is easy. Busses leave right outside the marina very frequently, cost about 1.30 Euro into the city centre, air conditioned bus, took about 10-15 mins. Seville is a beautiful city. Enjoy!
 
Sevilla has always been one of my top cities. Did the up river trip in Nov '77, stayed at the Real Nautico club, as the safest place in town. Bit out of date for the OP. But visited frequently in the following years by road. Summer can be hell, 50degC one time. Cordoba is a delight, look for the bi-yearly(?) Flamenco competion at a theater in the new town. Real talent, as opposed to the tourist joints like Los Gatos in Sevilla. ( I was there when it was filled with guys from John Deer tractors, all with their hats on...)
The river is part of the 'Parc Donana' nature reserve, not boring. Used to be fishermen with nets spread between curved poles off the bows of their boats. Dip the net as you go forward, pull it up and see what there is. Bummer was, as we went down stream, the river banks were silver with dead fish from some polution spill.
Must go back soon. Magic.
A
 
Does the club real nautico, have berths up to 18 meters? I may well be working in the area, later this year for four years and would like to spend a winter there.
 
Ccscott,
The guy next to us in the berths was a 80 odd ft new motor yacht. So probably yes. In those days, security was a problem (prob still is) and the CRN had 24hr guards and controlled access.
 
My web site is pretty up to date on Seville. Massive new locks being constructed. If you're just going for three nights, then it's Gelves, the bar under the old Dakota, and the bus into town, 'cos you'll otherwise waste too much time waiting for the lock and the occasional bridge opening.

For wintering, this is a top spot, a really big smile, at its best at the Real Yacht Club rather then the grotty quays just east inside the locks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

geem
First 6 months with no gas onboard
2 3
Replies
41
Views
1K
Baggywrinkle
Baggywrinkle

Share this page

Top