Wintering... what do you look for?

[Nostrodamus]

It will all to soon be that time when we look fo somewhere to winter over but what are the main things you look for when wintering?

Is it price, other live aboards, ability to get your boat haulded out, security, big city or quietness or nearness of an airport to fly home?

What is the best place you have wintered and why?

I am sure you answers will help us and others decide on good places to stay over.

Thank you for any replies.

(A sticky on good places to winter may be worth while as questions are often asked about various places and replies from people who had been there would help and be easy to find)

 

[NornaBiron]

As we anchor year round our first priority is for a well sheltered bay. Then we consider if we could spend a winter there ie, is there a water supply, local community, public transport, shop etc.

We've spent the last two winters on the hook in Spinalonga lagoon in Crete. There's a great ex-pat community ashore, the village doesn't die in the winter and the shelter is the best we've found so far. We're off there again this winter.

 

[Conachair]

Climate, fun people and cheap

Canaries must have close to the perfect climate, though not many anchorages.

Oh, and a good toolshop nearby, can't beat a good ferrateria

And a market.

And..

 

[GrahamM376]

We winter here in Bruce's - www.navepegos.com

10 mins drive/taxi or 20 mins on bus to the airport, 10 mins walk to railway station. Restaurants, supermarkets and cinemas within a few minutes walk. Social life with other liveaboards of various nationalities.

 

[ukmctc]

Good cheap marina, fees include electricity. Near transport and work.
after that anything is good.

 

[lurob]

#1 - good shelter, #2 - community, #3 - price, #4 - proximity to town, #5 - access to UK flights during winter.

We wintered in Lefkas last winter, it scored highly on points 1, 2 & 4, less so on 3 & 5. But, overall, we loved it and we're going back for this winter.

Also access to good yacht services, chandlers etc. is important for us, can't beat Lefkas for these.

 

[capnsensible]

Pubs with big screen football........

 

[JamesFrance]

Pubs with big screen football........

Benidorm doesn't have a marina!!!!

 

[jordanbasset]

Pubs with big screen football........

Now your talking, we were travelling through Spain during the 2010 World cup and the football was on at most places we visited. Bayonna was particularly good with plenty of large screen t.v.s, I was the only Brit in one of the bars watching an England game, the locals took pity on me and supported England. I reciprocated the next night and supported Spain. Fantastic entertainment, mixing with the locals and getting a feel for their culture (we think we are mad about football!) When they won the atmosphere was great.
Was a pity that more of the yachties did not join in the 'culture fest' but I suppose not very one can be as open to new experiences

 

[Carmel2]

Port Vell, Barcelona...........RIP

 

[duncan99210]

Port Vell, Barcelona...........RIP

+1

The biggest thing we now look for is a community. Without having a few like minded souls to get together with winters become long and very very boring.