If you assume Port Hercule in Monaco (above) is among the most expensive marinas around the globe, you are correct. However, if you believe it’s the most expensive place to berth a superyacht, think again. In fact, five other places, three in Italy alone, cost owners much more per night.
Those are the findings of a report from Wealth Bulletin, an online news service for the global wealth-management industry. Using a 70-meter (230-foot) megayacht as the base example, Wealth Bulletin found that Capri costs an average of €2,900 ($3,958) per night, followed by Porto Cervo in Sardinia at €2,500 ($3,412) and Portofino at €2,350 ($3,208) per night. This therefore makes Port Hercule seem reasonable at an average of €1,200 ($1,638) per night. Note, though, the qualifier “average.” In fact, each of these locales, along with the remaining six on the list of the most expensive marinas, charge more for peak periods.
Interestingly, some of the marinas will negotiate rates due to the global economic crisis. Don’t expect fire-sale prices, however. That’s because there are still a limited number of places worldwide that can accommodate the super-size superyachts. At the other side of the financial spectrum, sometimes captains and owners pay a lot more than the published rate for a slip, through insider deals. Andrea Pezzini, general manager at Floating Life and who assisted Wealth Bulletin with the list, related the story of a client who paid €15,000 (nearly $20,500) for one night during the Monaco Grand Prix in 2009. I have heard of similar arrangements for slip space in Europe during high-profile events.
Here’s the full top 10 list of the world’s most expensive marinas for megayachts:
1. Capri, Italy: average daily fee: €2,900 ($3,958); number of berths: 10
2. Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy: average daily fee: €2,500 ($3,412); number of berths: 60. (Interesting note about the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, pictured above: The Wealth Bulletin found that its daily fee can actually cost more than €2,500, although prices were reduced last year. In addition, the annual fee for a 40-meter, or 131-footer, costs around €115,000, or nearly $157,000.)
3. Portofino, Italy: average daily fee: €2,350 ($3,208); number of berths: 6
4. Ibiza Magna, Ibiza: average daily fee: €2,300 ($3,140); number of berths: 12
5. St Tropez, France: average daily fee: €1,300 ($1,775); number of berths: 30
6. Port Hercule, Monaco: average daily fee: €1,200 ($1,638); number of berths: 20
7. Miami Beach, Florida: average daily fee: €883 ($1,206); number of berths: 45
8. Cannes, France: average daily fee: €655 ($894); number of berths: 35
9. Gustavia, St Barts: average daily fee: €500 ($683); number of berths: 15
10. Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi: average daily fee: €421 ($575); number berths: 40.
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