The marina gems of the Med
We asked five superyacht captains which lesser-known marinas in the Med win their vote for their best discoveries, and where these captains want to take their guests this summer.…
In the summer scramble for berthing places in glamorous hotspots, Cannes
or St Tropez, the Med’s less famous marinas can get overlooked. But
when these marinas can offer ancient coastal towns, forests and islands
not accessible to crowds, it seems madness not to pay attention to
picking the best of the bunch. Their relative seclusion can also afford
the visitor a better service than is possible at the busier marinas.
With this in mind, we put the question to superyacht captains: which
marinas in the Mediterranean rate as your top discoveries? Where will
you take your guests this summer?
Captain John Gaunt, Perpetual
Marina Portofino, Italy, is my number one choice for every single moment the guests step off the yacht. It’s very exclusive – maybe only seven or eight superyachts can get in there at any one time, and it’s one of those places you can only really access by water. So there is the luxury effect of arriving somewhere where you can only get there on a yacht - or by canoe! You also have access to the beautiful resort of Santa Margherita, set amongst the turquoise waters of Golfo di Tigullio. The ports are always jam packed with the jet set in the summer, but it’s like no other place on the coast.
Captain Raymond Heer, Andiamo
If I were to choose one place to tie up, it would be stern to on the old harbour wall in Syracuse, Sicily. The ambiance is incredible, the sights, history and, of course, the Sicilian food, are out of this world. The people are happy and welcoming. I would recommend this as a stop over for anyone in the region. It seems not many yachts do.
Captain Carlo Summonti, Nataly
D-Marin Göcek marina is a short walk from Göcek town, which is a lovely place to stroll along of an evening. Restaurants are superb and very low key, but serve excellent seafood right up close to the water’s edge. The service at the marina itself is impeccable and very attentive, they always go the extra mile to make sure you’re comfortable there.
Captain Sean Read, Robusto
Cavtat (pronounced ‘tsavtat’), in Croatia was a good spot last year; very picturesque. It’s one of the first ports you come to after leaving Montenegro going north, and it’s often just seen as a stopover but I thought it was a lovely little town in itself, sheltered and the guests really like it. It has a calmer pace than Dubrovnik, still only 40 minutes away, lots of good restaurants, cobbled streets and a mix of the local and sophisticated crowd. I’d go back there again.
Porto Montenegro is another top choice. It’s becoming more and more popular; I know the Golden Fleet was planning to be there for 20 years or so. It’s new and set up for superyachts, specifically the larger yacht in mind - wifi all around the port, bunkering stations and pump out stations on the quay. There’s a nice ambience and the marina restaurant is superb.
Captain Massimo Marras, Vulcan 46
I have two nominations. The best marina for partying and entertainment is Mykonos old port in Greece - not the new port, which is too far from the village. The old port is just in the village and in summer at Mykonos, there are parties everywhere; in clubs, in the streets and on the beach; and parties of every different kind. The village is also beautiful, full of small restaurants and bars. You are required to leave the berth free in the morning before 8am, because ferries are arriving. You can then spend the day in one of the nice anchorages around the island, and return in port in the evening for another wild night.
The best for ‘getting away from it all’ has to be Brijuni marina, in Brijuni island, north of Croatia. It is a small port in what was the private island of Tito, former president of Yugoslavia, and today a national park. This small port is not really a yacht marina, but is charming, safe and super quiet. You can be moored next to the forest where animals roam free and come up right close to you. The island is beautiful and peaceful.
Captain John Gaunt, Perpetual
Marina Portofino, Italy, is my number one choice for every single moment the guests step off the yacht. It’s very exclusive – maybe only seven or eight superyachts can get in there at any one time, and it’s one of those places you can only really access by water. So there is the luxury effect of arriving somewhere where you can only get there on a yacht - or by canoe! You also have access to the beautiful resort of Santa Margherita, set amongst the turquoise waters of Golfo di Tigullio. The ports are always jam packed with the jet set in the summer, but it’s like no other place on the coast.
Marina Portofino, Italy
Captain Raymond Heer, Andiamo
If I were to choose one place to tie up, it would be stern to on the old harbour wall in Syracuse, Sicily. The ambiance is incredible, the sights, history and, of course, the Sicilian food, are out of this world. The people are happy and welcoming. I would recommend this as a stop over for anyone in the region. It seems not many yachts do.
Syracuse, Sicily
Captain Carlo Summonti, Nataly
D-Marin Göcek marina is a short walk from Göcek town, which is a lovely place to stroll along of an evening. Restaurants are superb and very low key, but serve excellent seafood right up close to the water’s edge. The service at the marina itself is impeccable and very attentive, they always go the extra mile to make sure you’re comfortable there.
D-Marin Göcek's private beach can be hired just for the yacht owner
Captain Sean Read, Robusto
Cavtat (pronounced ‘tsavtat’), in Croatia was a good spot last year; very picturesque. It’s one of the first ports you come to after leaving Montenegro going north, and it’s often just seen as a stopover but I thought it was a lovely little town in itself, sheltered and the guests really like it. It has a calmer pace than Dubrovnik, still only 40 minutes away, lots of good restaurants, cobbled streets and a mix of the local and sophisticated crowd. I’d go back there again.
Porto Montenegro is another top choice. It’s becoming more and more popular; I know the Golden Fleet was planning to be there for 20 years or so. It’s new and set up for superyachts, specifically the larger yacht in mind - wifi all around the port, bunkering stations and pump out stations on the quay. There’s a nice ambience and the marina restaurant is superb.
Porto Montenegro combines popularity with serenity
Captain Massimo Marras, Vulcan 46
I have two nominations. The best marina for partying and entertainment is Mykonos old port in Greece - not the new port, which is too far from the village. The old port is just in the village and in summer at Mykonos, there are parties everywhere; in clubs, in the streets and on the beach; and parties of every different kind. The village is also beautiful, full of small restaurants and bars. You are required to leave the berth free in the morning before 8am, because ferries are arriving. You can then spend the day in one of the nice anchorages around the island, and return in port in the evening for another wild night.
Mykonos old port, Greece
The best for ‘getting away from it all’ has to be Brijuni marina, in Brijuni island, north of Croatia. It is a small port in what was the private island of Tito, former president of Yugoslavia, and today a national park. This small port is not really a yacht marina, but is charming, safe and super quiet. You can be moored next to the forest where animals roam free and come up right close to you. The island is beautiful and peaceful.
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