Ibiza is a perennial hotspot, and getting hotter. So hot, in fact, that your wallet may catch fire if you reserve a slip. The daily dockage fee at Ibiza Magna marina has risen 32 percent since last year. In addition, the marina remains atop the list of the most expensive megayacht marinas in Europe.
So says Engel & Völkers Yachting, which surveys marina costs each year. Using a 180-foot (55-meter) megayacht as the benchmark, it examines the daily mooring fees where owners and crew like to stay. Specifically, it looks at the high-season rates. Ibiza Magna led last year’s list, too, by the way. But, the current 4,000-euros-per-day fee was nearly one-third lower in 2017. At today’s currency-exchange rate, that’s about $4,641.
Now, some may argue that if you like a place, you’ll pay the rate. We agree. Regardless, it’s interesting to see where these places stack up against one another. Here are the rest of the 10 most expensive megayacht marinas in Europe this year. We’ve listed each daily rate in euros, the quoted rate. To convert to dollars, note that 1 euro is about $1.16.
Marina di Portofino: Who doesn’t like Portofino? The picturesque nature of this port in Italy brings boats back year after year. The daily mooring fee is 2,751 euros. That’s 20 percent more than 2017.
Marina Grande. Italy’s island of Capri has a lot of charm. Remarkably, its daily rate is just 1 euro lower than that of Marina di Portofino, up the coast.
Marina di Porto Cervo. It’s no surprise to see this Sardinian favorite (above) listed among the 10 most expensive megayacht marinas in Europe. Daily rate: 2,564 euros.
Port de Saint-Tropez. It’s further no surprise to see St. Tropez make an appearance on this list. However, Port de Saint-Tropez is the sole French location on the list. Its daily fee is 2,105 euros.
Puerto Banús. This is the second Spanish marina among the 10 most expensive megayacht marinas in Europe. (Ibiza Magna, ranked first, is the other.) Ideally situated outside of Marbella, it commands a 2,068-euro-per-day fee.
Limassol Marina. Located in Cyprus, Limassol Marina (at top) is less than 10 years old. It’s also the first marina in the country to serve as a stop-over for superyachts. The daily mooring fee is 1,533 euros.
ACI Marina Split. Megayacht owners and industry representatives alike say Croatia is what other parts of Europe were like before they became overbuilt. The reason ACI Marina Split is among the most expensive megayacht marinas in Europe? A daily rate of 1,413 euros.
Port Hercule. Of course, Port Hercule is home of the renowned Monaco Yacht Show, and a prime viewing point for the annual Monaco Grand Prix. Despite assumptions it’s the most expensive marina, it’s not. The daily high-season rate is just shy of 1,100 euros—5 euros less, in fact.
Netsel Marmaris Marina. This Turkish marina is the least expensive among the 10 most expensive megayacht marinas in Europe. But, it’s not far behind Port Hercule, at 1,054 euros per day.
A few closing thoughts from Anissa Mediouni, CEO of Engel & Völkers Yachting. First, all quoted rates are basic fees. Therefore, sporting events, festivals, and more coinciding with high season may affect those fees. In addition, services like electricity are always extra. Finally, Mediouni says, while the western Med commands a high price because it attracts a lot of business, other regions are on the rise. “Beyond Europe, we are also seeing a trend towards more unusual destinations,” she explains. These include areas without dedicated megayacht marinas, like the Antarctic, Palau, and Myanmar.
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