With the yacht season in Europe entering its peak period, the world’s leading region by the total number of marinas (from tiny to huge) indeed faces yachts pilgrimage in its waters. Washed by 9 seas and the Atlantic, Europe disposes of over nine hundred seaports, with many of them being worthwhile places to visit.
Yacht Harbour takes a look over 10 out of the most spectacular superyacht ports located in Europe.
#1. Port Vauban, Antibes
One of Europe's oldest and largest ports, Port Vauban is ideally located in the heart of the French Riviera, in Antibes resort, the Alpes-Maritimes department.
The marina disposes of 1,642 berths (with 250 visitors' berths available), including 19 berths for superyachts along the International Yacht Club d'Antibes. Port Antibes is able to accommodate yachts of up to 170 metres in length, with a maximum draft of 7 metres.
Port Vauban Antibes is hosted by an amazing coastal village, between Monaco and Saint Tropez, with an ancient look that attracts an large number of tourists. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing on unspoilt beaches and visiting superb parks and gardens that form this area's natural heritage.
Rich with natural reservations such as the Exflora Park, the Eilenroc Gardens and the Thuret Park, the location was also in favour of the representatives of the artistic world. For instance, Picasso painted some of his famous painting in Antibes in the old Chateau Grimaldi that is open for visiting today. Those who are passionate about nautical sports will be enchanted by the Antibes Yacht Show that is held each year.
Within Port Vauban there is a fuelling station next to the central capitainerie, and all yachts in the port are provided with high-speed broadband internet access as well as shore power and free pump-out of black and grey water. The port is currently monitored by 20 CCTV units, with plans for an additional 165 cameras to be installed, and there is onsite security covering the entire port.
#2. OneOcean Port Vell, Barcelona
OneOcean Port Vell is a top location for superyachts whose destination is Barcelona. Originally built for the 1992 Olympic Games, the Marina has recently completed its transformation to a 150-berth luxury facility with a full set of basic amenities, creating the ultimate destination for yachts up to 190 metres in LOA.
A masterpiece of architectural design, the marina features a 2,750-square-metre glass gallery whith the port’s reception, an elegant crew lounge, a gym and a wellness centre and premium services such as 24h mooring assistance, car parking adjacent to berths, storage facilities next to berths, recycling facilities, tank cleaning, floating platforms, cranes and flatbed trucks with cranes, collection of used oil and waste from works.
Located in the heart of Barcelona, OneOcean Port Vell offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most vibrant city in Europe. Those who reach this marina will easily access Barcelona’s major attractions, while Barcelona’s old Customs building is situated right next to the port, demonstrating impressive architecture with its historical beauty.
The marina itself represents a touristic attraction that receives more than 15 million people each year. This magnificent location is a sailor’s paradise, thanks to the secluded coves and natural surroundings.
#3. Port Hercule, Monaco
Hosting the most influential events within their fields, Monaco Grand Prix in May and the Monaco Yacht Show in September, Port Hercule represents an opulent extension of all the attributives of Monaco life. Сovering almost 160,000 square metres, the berth provides anchorage for up to 700 vessels of up to 135 metres LOA.
Set amongst the steep rising hills, the impressive setting is the ideal base to explore the sumptuous delights of Monaco and the surrounding area. With a combination of a naturally beautiful setting and a vibrant nightlife, makes Port Hercule a must-visit destination for anyone with a love of sailing.
Located on the French Riviera, Port Hercule represents the only deep water port on this side of the coast. This marina receives millions of tourists each year, attracted to this city's rich culture and the opportunity to spend a wonderful vacation by the Mediterranean Sea.
The natural sights in the area include The Exotic Gardens and the Observation Cave, The Princess Antoinette Park, etc. History enthusiasts will encounter unique collections that are well-preserved in the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology, the Oceanographic Museum and many more similar institutions. The Monte-Carlo Casino and Opera House, the Monaco Cathedral, the Rock, etc. are top choices of travellers who wish to explore Monaco and its flamboyant image.
#4. Porto Montenegro, Bay of Kotor
Acquired by Dubai Government in 2016, Porto Montenegro Marina is a luxury marina by the coastal town of Tivat, on the charming shores of the Adriatic Sea. The largest marina in the region, Porto Montenegro Marina offers 450 berths for yachts of up to 250 metres in length.
Meanwhile, the recently added 250-metre flagship berth surpasses the size of any yacht built to date. This forward-thinking outlook on the industry reflects Porto Montenegro's ambition to become a go-to location for large yachts.
Porto Montenegro Marina represents astonishing balance of a true taste, sense of freshness, unique nature, history and avant-garde solutions. Travellers and boat owners who will reach this port will witness impressive waterfronts, turquoise waters and a luxuriant vegetation.
The town of Tivat is a charming settlement surrounded by the imposing Mount Vrmac as a picturesque aspect. Opulent hotels and guesthouses, friendly restaurants and an incredible gastronomy based on seafood and Mediterranean dishes welcome its guests into this paradisiacal environment.
#5. Marina di Porto Cervo, Sardinia
The world’s second most expensive marina, Marina di Porto Cervo lays on the northern tip of Sardinia on the famous Costa Smeralda. Berthing fees can easily exceed € 2,500 during the high season, especially during the Deluxe Fair in June and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Regatta in September.
The marina disposes of 60 superyacht berths for yachts up to 100 metres in LOA and maximum draught of 7 metres. This marina is one of the best equipped on this side of the coast and offers an endless list of activities for those who are passionate about nautical activities, water sports and leisure activities.
The surrounding area boasts a mix of unspoilt natural beauty and modern luxurious facilities including clubs and high-end boutiques, fancied by the world’s most popular celebrities. Porto Cervo has hypnotic beaches with incredible shades of blue and transparent waters.
#6. Puerto Banus, Marbella
Puerto Banus Marina is hosted by Spanish coastal town of Marbella, in the chic Costa del Sol. Originally built in 1970, the marina covers 150,000 square metres and has 915 berths with a clientele of the richest and most powerful people in the world.
Protected by the Sierra de Marbella mountain range and flanked by beautiful beaches, Marina Puerto Banus attracts an increasing number of tourists thanks to its rich history and a well-reputed culture.
Marbella features its historic charm and many important sights, as well as natural areas and entertaining festivals. Avenida del Mar, the Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnacion, Alameda Park, Museo del Bonsai, are just a few of Marbella’s main attractions. Las Murallas del Castillo is a fascinating historic place that was left behind by previous generations.
#7. ACI Marina Dubrovnik, Croatia
Situated at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the foothills of Srd hill, only 6 kilometres away from the centre of Dubrovnik, this marina is famous for its “Blue Flag” award winning clean sea.
Voted best marina in the Adriatic in the “Flower of Tourism- Quality for Croatia” competition for three consecutive years, ACI Marina Dubrovnik boasts 380 berths and 140 dry berths, able to accommodate yachts up to 60 metres in LOA.
The coastal area of the Dubrovnik region, comprising the islands of Korčula, Mljet, Lastovo and the Elaphite archipelago, as well as the Pelješac peninsula, makes ACI Marina Dubrovnik an ideal starting point for a complete boating adventure.
The visitors will be able to explore Dubrovnik’s undersea world and protected underwater archaeological sites, along with exciting adventures in Prevlaka Park.
#8. Grand Harbour Marina, Malta
Grand Harbour Marina is located in the central region of Malta, a splendid area in the Mediterranean and a fascinating historic location that belongs to the UNESCO Heritage. The port comprises 240 berths, able to accommodate vessels of up to 135 metres in length.
The port offers all the basic marina services, along with a set of extra facilities that include technical assistance and repairs, travel lift, fuel bunkering, and what is most important for a perfect holiday, nearby dining facilities and bars.
Some of the most renowned natural treasures in the area comprise mesmeric sandy beaches, Blue Grotto, the amazing Gozo Island where nature seems untouched by modern times. Gozo Island is also a home to the famous rocky formation known as the Azure Window.
Other attractions are the Golden Bay Beach, a tranquil getaway, the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island, with its terrific turquoise water, the scenic Dingli Cliffs where one can admire a breathtaking view of the sea. What is more, Malta is rich in historic attractions, fine dining places, and souvenir shops.
#9. Marina di Portofino, Liguria
One of the most exclusive Italian marinas, Marina di Portofino is a former fishing village famous for its stunning landscape, picturesque houses and a tiny quaint harbour. Lying on the Italian Riviera of the Ligurian Sea, this place is highly appreciated by celebrities, politicians, aristocracy and footballers, representing a genuine billionaire’s playground.
The marina has only 14 berths for yachts of maximum 70 metres in length and a maximum draught of 4 metres.
Marina di Portofino lays in an impeccably natural environment that is filled with forests, beaches and historical monuments. Colourful buildings and homes can be seen on romantic waterfronts of the fishing village.
Some of the main tourist objectives are the Statue of Christ of the Abbys, the 16th century Castello Brown, the Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta, etc. Additionally, gothic architectural elements and classic buildings can be also witnessed seen there, within the hidden gem of the Italian coast.
#10. Port Adriano, Mallorca
Designed by Phillipe Starck, the Port Adriano harbour is situated just 9 km to the South-west of Palma de Mallorca. The marina boasts a total of 488 moorings from 6 metres up to 80 metres and a maximum capacity of up to 100 metres.
Surrounded by areas of great natural beauty for sailing and other nautical sports, the marina makes an ideal base for exploration of Mallorca’s beautiful coast. That comprises the Malgrats Islands, the coast of El Toro and the North coast of Mallorca, recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Those who reach this destination are eager to explore the astonishing city of Palma de Mallorca, where superlatives are used at every step of the way. Along with a distinguished maritime life, tourists will not only discover hypnotising flora and fauna, but also rare bird species and over 1,000 animal species that live here. Calvia's tourism is extremely well-developed, which is why tourists from the entire world can find luxury accommodation services by the beach, with green areas and a romantic environment.
Elada Yachts, part of the Lazzara Yachts group, is set to launch its first superyacht.This is the most spacious Sky Lounge in this market segment.The spacious wheelhouse provides a full 180 degree view, and its straight position provides excellent lines of sight and optimal ease of navigation. Above the steering wheel feed is an elevated living room that looks over 4 large monitors. The latest generation of navigation equipment and alarm monitoring systems seamlessly integrates yacht systems.The aft flybridge include large table for eight people, the sofa and bar and also an additional Jacuzzi layout. An automatic canopy system provides adequate sun protection.The Bow Lounge has a spacious tanning bed, a large crescent-shaped seating area, and a sofa to enjoy magnificent views. On the lower deck there is a beach club with a convenient storage for runners and a fenced railing with a swimming platform.The yacht has a VIP cabin and double guest cabins and includes large windows, wardrobe, queen-size bed, desk and TV.Surfaces are made of exotic wood and stone. Each double room has a desk and two single beds.
February 25, 2020
The first 80-meter superyacht Bilgin 263 became the longest superyacht ever built in Turkey by Yachtley yard. The yacht will be ready to be shown and delivered this spring or summer.Bilgin Yachts is a boutique shipyard in the Istanbul area, which builds luxury superyachts ranging in length from 40 to 100 meters. The shipyard operates on facilities with an area of 59,500 m2 with a modern marine furniture factory, a universal mechanical workshop and a stainless steel workshop.Currently, Bilgin Yachts has built three units of the 80-meter series of Bilgin 263. The second building, which has already been sold, is scheduled to be launched in 2021, after which the third case of the model will be delivered to its owner in the same year. The series emphasizes environmental friendliness due to the special exhaust system. According to words of Emrecan Özgün, CEO and the Founder of Unique Yacht Design,"the Bilgin 263 is truly one-of-a-kind. We created a very attractive yacht with a sleek and sexy profile while avoiding high dosage design clichés. The increase in living areas normally results in bulky designs. The Bilgin 263 has a design attitude that will dominate the yachting sector around the world. This will clearly make her a trendsetter among steel-aluminum superyachts of today." The exterior and naval architecture of Tatiana was designed by Unique Yacht Design, the interior by H2 Yacht Design.Yacht can speed up to 20 knots, while the cruising speed 12 knots keeps her fuel consumption as 250 l/h. She is built in compliance with IMO Tier III certification and is considered to be the most environmentally-friendly yacht in her class.
February 25, 2020
The Dutch shipyard Van der Valk has developed a new line of crossovers Pilot, which will be available in a range of lengths, starting with a 23-meter model and above. Designed by the Amsterdam-based studio Cor D Rover, the new Pilot series combines a rugged explorer inspired exterior with comfort and quality. There is lots of space particularly on the aft deck for sunbathing as well as the storage of tenders, Jet Skis and other toys.Owners can make a wide range of adaptations to the 23-meter model, including adding a gym at the stern and changing the size of tenders and toys on board. The saloon can even be extended aft to expand the socialising space here by creating a larger dining area.The main deck lounge on board the yacht will feature uninterrupted views of the outdoors thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as a galley and a full-beam master stateroom.The rest of the guest accommodation is located on the lower deck, consisting of two double cabins with bathrooms and a VIP suite. At the same time, the crew room includes two double cabins and a separate crew area with a bathroom and mess, which is served by its own staircase.
February 21, 2020
After a growth period of 20-30 meters and megayachts, which is even closer to the recession, there was a short period for high demand for medium-sized superyachts.The market for 40-60 meter yachts, the last of which began to grow before the recession began, has also recently begun to gain momentum, as owners are looking for yachts in order to switch to them with growing disposable incomes. Indeed, if several years earlier it was expected that yachts in this range would be traded at 30-40% at the asking price, this gap narrowed to 25-30% in recent quarters.Shipyards, primarily known for their 20-30-meter yachts, are also expanding their ranges to 40-60 meters in order to keep customers who want to grow in size. For example, Sanlorenzo, which for decades focused on 20-30-meter yachts, put at the beginning of this year its newest flagship - the 64-meter Attila.Atilla is a 64.25m luxury yacht, built by Sanlorenzo and delivered in 2019. Her top speed is 18.0kn and her power comes from two 2375.0hp Caterpillar 3516-C diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 12 people with 18 crew members.Yacht was designed by Officina Italiana Design, and the interior design was created by Francesco Paszkowski.
February 21, 2020
The Magnum 60 Furia was launched in 2001, designed by Magnum Marine and Ceo Catherine Theodoli. They say that this is the most successful of the Magnum models.Back in 2001, the 120-kilometer 60 Furia Magnum was named the fastest yacht of this size in the world and after extensive repairs at the Perini Navi Hammer shipyard reached higher speeds.Changes include new air intakes in the engine compartment along with a customizable display on the control panel.The new Magnum 60 concept is attractive to the original design, but much more pleasing to the eye, with distinctive details throughout the American style of the 50s. The owner’s room has individual storage solutions on either side of the room to ensure clean space.Marnix Hoekstra from Vripak says that they kept the overall layout and tuning of the boat, but made improvements, for example, they expanded the companion from the saloon in the middle to the double and twin cabins.
February 20, 2020