The past decade saw worldwide development of places to dock megayachts. It was partly in response to the boom in yacht construction, and partly due to a desire to explore new regions. The following list includes marinas that touch upon both of those reasons. Some have been around quite some time, with recent expansion adding slips. Other were purposely developed to market to the megayacht set.
1. The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol, St. Maarten. While the Caribbean island of Antigua has long attracted megayachts and been their winter base, St. Maarten is the new base for many more. Some charter clients and crews also prefer to arrange pick-ups and drop-offs here. While there are a few fine St. Maarten marinas, Isle de Sol is a primary choice. It’s near the Simpson Bay Bridge, and it was purpose-built for superyachts. Other attractions include the on-site duty-free retail shops; guests can shop ‘til they drop, a favorite pastime in St. Maarten, without walking too far. Crewmembers appreciate the on-site provisioning, chandlery, and parts-supply services. Forty-five slips accommodate yachts from about 80 to 350 feet (23 to about 107 meters).
2. Port Louis, Grenada. Less than three years old, Port Louis (pictured) has already hosted the likes of Maltese Falcon, Eos, Mayan Queen IV, High Chaparral, and Savvy (owned by the marina’s original developer, Peter de Savary). Thirty-five berths are dedicated to yachts from 82 to 296 feet (25 to 90 meters). Grenada is growing in popularity because it’s not like other areas in the Caribbean: no high-rise hotels, no overdevelopment. It’s also outside of the hurricane belt. On-site services include customs and immigration, provisioning, and a captainerie. Crewmembers love the on-site pool, too.
3. Vilanova Grand Marina Barcelona, Spain. With 49 moorings for 82- to 328-footers (25 to 100 meters), Vilanova Grand Marina Barcelona is another purpose-built megayacht marina. It opened in April 2009, with a new refit and repair center opening last December. Laundry, a flower shop, a dry cleaners, and a heliport are all on site. A special promotion for this spring gives you one week’s free dockage if you reserve at least a two-week stay. If you stay a month or more, you receive an extra 15-percent discount. Furthermore, through a partnership with BWA Yachting, crews and guests receive special yacht-agency and concierge services.
4. Marina di Porto Cervo, Italy. The island of Sardinia is incredibly popular with the superyacht set, and it was good news indeed in 2009 when the local government abolished the luxury tax it used to charge. Sardinia is known for superb sailing conditions, and Porto Cervo is a wonderfully sheltered harbor. All of these make Marina di Porto Cervo a location of choice. It also hosts annual pleasure-yacht races like the Dubois Cup and the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. The marina boasts more than 700 slips, most of which are for small boats, but several can accommodate yachts to 328 feet (100 meters). Conveniently nearby are covered sheds for maintenance and repair of yachts to about 148 feet (45 meters).
5. Porto Montenegro, Montenegro. A former Communist naval base became this megayacht harbor in 2009. It’s in the bay of Kotor, the largest natural harbor in the Adriatic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a walled city. The Porto Montenegro developers kept the historic elements of the architecture in mind. Support facilities include on-site customs and immigration, duty-free fuel, grey- and black-water disposal, and provisioning. There’s also a Crew Club, featuring a gym, bowling alley, tennis and squash courts, and an Internet cafe. Berths-wise, 183 are available so far, with 89 for megayachts. Eventually there will be more than 600 spaces for yachts and superyachts, with about 25 percent devoted to the latter. The largest yacht that can be accommodated: 328 feet (100 meters). A refit facility is available across from the marina, operated by Compositeworks, which also operates one in La Ciotat, France.
6. One°15, Singapore. Opened just a few years ago, One°15 is named for its location, one degree and 15 minutes north of the equator. It’s also within Sentosa Cove, a luxury residential waterfront development. One°15 has already hosted the Volvo Ocean Race and the annual Singapore Yacht Show, and is increasingly attracting megayachts to 200 feet (about 61 meters). Thirteen of its 270 slips are devoted to megayachts; few other marinas in the entire Asian region are able to accommodate this many megayachts and/or ones to this LOA. Members of the One°15 Marina Club can take advantage of concierge services and reciprocal memberships at several international yacht clubs. A chandlery and maintenance yard are on site for all to use. Coming soon: customs and immigration services.
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