Which are the best Med Marinas?

[king7446]

My wife and I have bought a new 56’ power boat and plan to cruise the Med from this May through October. We pick up the boat in the UK, take the recommended training courses, begin our trip south, and eventually end up in Istanbul where we will lay-up the boat until the next cruising year. Our current plan involves transiting to Spain as quickly as possible and then, the Balearics, Sardinia, Italy (Genoa to Venice,) Croatia, and Greece (after the Olympics)
We have gotten through all the problems and decisions involved with such a plan (many through the greatly appreciated help of people on this chat board), but now face one that is becoming very confusing for us: FINDING THE BEST MARINAS.
We have been advised that it is best to book marinas in the most popular places in advance as they fill up fairly rapidly. This sounds like a good idea, but we are having difficulty in deciding which marinas to book. We have poured over Imray until we can almost quote several passages, but for any particular area it may list 10 or more, and, therein "lies the rub."
We are trying to find the "BEST" marinas in several areas--not all, as we will sometimes live on the hook and leave much of the trip to serendipity. "She who must be obeyed" has defined "BEST" as closest to restaurants, near the center of activity, handy for touring the town, and clean and neat.
Which raises the following questions: Is there a rating system for marinas like the star rating for hotels? Is there a resource that rates marinas in the Med? Is there a resource that rates marinas for the busiest destinations that we plan to visit--specifically: Mallorca, Southern Italy, Venice, and the Cyclades?
Thank you in advance for any assistance.




<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Renegade_Master]

Good morning Bryan. My knowledge of marinas along the Spanish Costas is limited from, Gibraltar to Denia. Our chief instructor and School Principal has delivered a 64 Manhattan from Poole in Dorset to France, so I shall ask him about the better ones down the west coast of Spain and Portugal, and get back to you.

I do recall that when he brought the Manhattan round, the owner wanted the shortest journey time, and they in fact made it to Gib, about 14-1500nm, in the first week.

From Gib going east you first get Sotogrande (16nm) Its name suggests it is large and grand, which it is, however a mere 5nm further on and you reach our smaller but friendlier marina Puerto de la Duquesa. This is where our training school is based Please call in and we shall welcome you.

Going east you get a multitude of marinas, noticably Puerto Banus, (large/expensive but fashionable). Further on Almerimar is huge about 1500 berths and fine for overnight stay. Not been in Denia but meant to be very nice, but in any case you should be heading away to the Balearics before you get to Denia. will try to get some more info soon. Regards Clive, Sun Coast.





<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[HowardB]

Hi - I would agree with Sun Coast, but my knowlege is even more limited. I don't know of any star rating system. Most of the marinas are independant / private, or they are owned by the local council. So they don't seem to be in any corporate 'chain' like many do in UK. Denis is nice, recently extended, with in fact 3 or 4 different marinas in the 1 bay, both private and council owned. Denia is not very pretty though. It is a good starting point to set off to the Balearics though, and if you had technical problems, I'd be reasonably sure that you could find servicing on almost anything there. If all is well though, I would consider quieter places in the area- trouble is they are smaller and less guarantee of getting in for a few days. An example is Greenwich Marina, (so named 'cos its on the 00'00"00 meridian) which is quiet, friendly, between Altea and Moraira, and has good eating places there and no 'night life'. There are 'loads' of marinas though, so 'suck it and see'- only stay a while if you don't like it, and move on to the next if not!
Howard

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mainshiptom]

Forget the med ! go to Holland first !

With a boat this size you can enter into the holland from Flushing ! (100 miles fromMe) you should get there in a day ?

It should be a nice shake down trip !

We love holland, The beer is cheap and the people are wonderful !

Tom

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimg]

Hi Tom,
We are planning to go from our base in Dartmouth to Holland this June. Any tips on best places to visit if entering at Flushing?
Sorry for butting into the thread!
Cheers
Jimg

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mainshiptom]

Jimg

Yes ! Mideleburg is a must, this is where you shop and refuel and fill the water tanks up !

Then you move on to the islands ! They are all free ! But there is only toilets and rubbish if you are lucky but they are wonderful

The kids loved every minute !

You can stay on each island for one night and then you are ask to move on ! But there are lots of them !

After two nights we would go to Veere or midulburg to shop !

In mideelburd we use to shop with the dingy via canals, great expericne !

You need to have a shower on board or have lots of solar showers !

I wish i was going agan !

Tom

<hr width=100% size=1>