Wintering on the Costa del Sol

[coromar]

Hi all,

We are planning to winter on the Costa del Sol this winter, because of the great weather.

Can anyone suggest a good harbour that is very cheap for us?

Best wishes,

Paul and Sue

 

[chinita]

Almirimar is probably the cheapest.

 

[RobGill]

Almerimar the cheapest. Maybe Cartagena if you prefer something more Spanish and seems to attract a fair few liveaboard over winter also.

 

[Grehan]

Hmm. Neither Almerimar nor Cartegena are in the Costa del Sol. A 'very cheap' harbour in the CDS is an complete oxymoron. But the suggestions pointing outside the CDS are sound enough. My own take on the problem of living aboard relatively cheaply down south (we did it for 18 months) are -

• Almerimar and Cartagena, as mentioned, of which Almerimar has the biggest liveaboard community, quite inexpensive and Cartagena the best most interesting location.
• Fuengirola - a bit rough at the edges, but well resourced and safe.
• Bajadilla Marbella - well run, excellent smallish marina, not expensive but probably difficult to get a berth in
• Estepona and Duquesa - also smallish marinas, moderately pricey but attractive.
• Gibraltar and La Linea - possibilities although Gib is an acquired taste. The big new marina across the border at La Linea seems to be offering reasonable prices.
• I suspect for ultimate cheapness in the southern Spanish sunshine, you'd have to go to the Rio Guadiana on the border with Portugal and anchor. Although we didn't make it there, all reports are paradisical, some folk never leave. More 'known' than it used to be.

I've consciously missed out Roquetas, Aguadulce and Almeria - have visited all three and they have their proponents. Also Benalmadena, which is horrible and huge, Puerto Banus (nuff said) and Sotogrande which is large and swanky. And the south coast Costa de la Luz marinas (including Sevilla) between Gib and the border, which I don't know.

 

[25931]

Hi all,

We are planning to winter on the Costa del Sol this winter, because of the great weather.

Can anyone suggest a good harbour that is very cheap for us?

Best wishes,

Paul and Sue

I don´t want to be a wet blanket but the weather isn't always "great" although usually better than the UK.

 

[capnsensible]

Well said, winter weather is mild but not all sunshine and sangria. It can get very wet.

Price guide: Marbella Bajadilla (I like it) for 45 foot yacht, 18 euros a night, probably discounts for long stays.

Estepona 38 euros, same boat, both last week!

Hope this helps.

 

[Grehan]

The weather in our experience, is usually much better than the UK, often much better than the rest of the (European) Med. Winter days can start misty and winter rain can deluge when it does, sometimes chilly in the early mornings and evenings, but all in all we loved it.

 

[jordanbasset]

Hmm. Neither Almerimar nor Cartegena are in the Costa del Sol. A 'very cheap' harbour in the CDS is an complete oxymoron. But the suggestions pointing outside the CDS are sound enough. My own take on the problem of living aboard relatively cheaply down south (we did it for 18 months) are -

• Almerimar and Cartagena, as mentioned, of which Almerimar has the biggest liveaboard community, quite inexpensive and Cartagena the best most interesting location.
• Fuengirola - a bit rough at the edges, but well resourced and safe.
• Bajadilla Marbella - well run, excellent smallish marina, not expensive but probably difficult to get a berth in
• Estepona and Duquesa - also smallish marinas, moderately pricey but attractive.
• Gibraltar and La Linea - possibilities although Gib is an acquired taste. The big new marina across the border at La Linea seems to be offering reasonable prices.
• I suspect for ultimate cheapness in the southern Spanish sunshine, you'd have to go to the Rio Guadiana on the border with Portugal and anchor. Although we didn't make it there, all reports are paradisical, some folk never leave. More 'known' than it used to be.

I've consciously missed out Roquetas, Aguadulce and Almeria - have visited all three and they have their proponents. Also Benalmadena, which is horrible and huge, Puerto Banus (nuff said) and Sotogrande which is large and swanky. And the south coast Costa de la Luz marinas (including Sevilla) between Gib and the border, which I don't know.

A good summary, we stayed in Almerimar last winter, 6.50 euros a night, plus just over 3 euros for electricity (some did without only used it every few days)
Almerimar does not have much in character in terms of the buildings but the people there were great and you had the sense of a community. Supermarket within 5 minutes walk, bars and restaurants but no town as such. Had to go into El Ejido for that, a 20 minute bus ride away.
We must have been lucky with the weather as most times it was T shirt and jeans, can't remember much rain, but there was some.
On out way up the coast we did stop off in Cartagena and stayed in the old Marina for a week. Lovely town and lots of character. Did not get any sense of a liveaboard community but perhaps they had already moved on or it is based in the newer marina. There was a lot of swell and would think you would benefit from large springs if you stayed there in the winter. It was a longer walk to the supermarket.
Good luck with wherever you decide

 

[phantomlady]

If you are looking for winter sun I wouldn't go up the Guadiana if I were you! It can be very cold inland in the winter.
Personally, I don't think you will get better this side of the atlantic than the Canaries for a mild climate during the winter months. Ok, I know it's a bit further to go but you will find a very cheap marina in Las Palmas with no swell, good facilities, lots of liveaboards, no crime/theft from boats, wonderful beaches within walking distance. No contest!