If you ever had any doubt concerning the Costa Tropical’s lack of berths in its marinas (there are only two) then you need only compare our 407 berths to those available in Cadiz, 2,796 and Malaga 8,742. And of course, it’s when the summer comes around that the shortage is felt the most.
But things will change… if the projects that have received the necessary authorization with the Plan Subregional ever reach fruition. Motril foresees an inland marina on Playa Granada, offering 800 berths, but in the meantime, we have what we have… and it’s expensive.
El Club Nautico de Motril has 180 berths but only 10% are for ‘passing trade’ as the rest are privately owned or on long-term rental contracts. Their Chairman, Antonio Gutierrez, has requested space for 30 more from the Motril Port Authorities, but that is a drop in the ocean. As it is, he can only suggest that those he turns away try the Marina del Este, although at times it is choc-a-block as well.
And let’s face it; it’s bloody expensive: A berth in El Club Nautico will cost you 700 euros per square metre, so a 12-by-4 site will set you back 33,600 euros.
When a berth owner isn’t using theirs, the Club can hire it out at around 500 euros for two months for a medium-sized berth, including tax and costs. If your turning up for a shorter stay and are lucky enough to find a berth available then you’re looking at a cost of 17 to 78 euros per day. In the summer you won’t find a berth, full stop, but in the winter they have a 70% occupation figure.
The good thing about El Club Nautico is that it has a club atmosphere for its 650 members and their families.
The Marina del Este has 227 berths of which 137 are privately owned and 90 are for renting out. Right now between annual, seasonal and stays of up to 45 days there are 56 craft, therefore the rest are free.
“Yearly hiring of berths is dropping off with users preferring 3-month contracts to cut back on expenses.” says Manuel Raigon, who is the manager of the Marina del Este port.
An 8-metre craft costs 27 euros to berth, whereas a 30-metre one costs 110 euros per day. Obviously, off season and longer stays have cheaper rates. To actually buy a berth, you’re looking at between 3,000 and 3,500 euros per square metre. Eleven berth holders are foreigners but the majority are owners from Madrid and Granada, which coincides with Motril’s client cross-section.
Almunecar/La Herradura’s Marina del Este has been around for 25 years now and little has changed, which is surprising. It’s a beautiful corner that deserves to have a higher profile. You don’t have to be a yacht owner to enjoy it restaurants, as well as the views and peaceful setting.
(News: Herradura/Almunecar/Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)