With construction underway, Port Nimara, the first megayacht marina in Anguilla, expects to have slips available in late 2027. The timing coincides with the beginning of the Caribbean cruising season. Rather than being just another place for owners and charter guests to dock, however, the marina intends to fulfill what the developer sees as an opportunity in its immediate eastern Caribbean waters. “Owners of superyachts need to have their own place to retreat,” says David Mizrahi. “Anguilla has that.”
Mizrahi is the CEO and managing partner of SF Investments, the marina’s developer. Anguilla was a deliberate choice for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s in proximity to Sint. Maarten and St. Barths. The former is a longstanding yachting hub, especially for superyachts. It further has direct flights from U.S. and European cities, making it a convenient entry and departure point. St. Barths similarly has longstanding appeal, between hosting the annual St. Barths Bucket and having the most popular harbor for New Year’s Eve celebrations. “In this constellation where you have Sint Maarten, St. Barths, and Anguilla, these three islands work together,” Mizrahi says.
Those same advantages for Sint Maarten and St. Barths, though, are what Mizrahi sees as potential drawbacks. For example, an abundance of services, including haul out, are present at the top Sint Maarten marinas. This mixed-use model makes them more industrial, he notes. St. Barths, meanwhile, has a vibrance that may be a bit too vibrant for some owners, he says. “Everybody wants to be seen, it’s more of a party-like situation,” Mizrahi explains. At some point, owners seek “a place that is more like your home, where you are not exposed so much.”
Getting Port Nimara to this point involved more than picking a nearby island. Anguilla doesn’t have yachting infrastructure, so site selection needed government understanding and education. According to Mizrahi, he and his company have been working with Anguillan officials for about six or seven years, including through administration changes. Even with that, Mizrahi says, the government has provided strong commitment.
The government has committed for yet another reason. “We are bringing a whole industry into the country,” Mizrahi says. Port Nimara is the first maritime development, so he asserts that it represents more than tourism dollars. “Lots of Anguillans will start working in this marina, and they will be educated to work in this marina,” he explains. “It’s not like a hotel,” he points out, even with the addition of an Equinox resort and residences, opening in 2029. “There are many luxury hotels in Anguilla, so they are used to luxury tourism. But it’s going to be something different. You need to understand the owners, you need to understand the necessities of a yacht, how to supply a yacht, and things like that.”
“I think it’s a win-win, not only for us,” Mizrahi concludes. “But also for the island, the government, and the people of Anguilla.”
Port Nimara portnimara.com
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