New Marinas Overseas

The tiny island of St. Kitts located in the Eastern Caribbean, is the latest to announce a new 2,500 acre resort developemnt featuring a marina designed to take mega-yachts up to 90 metres in length. The plans were unveiled in October 2007 by the joint developers, to transform the Christophe Harbour area of the island with a five star golf course, two five star hotels a variety of shops and restaurants and a new marina.The site of Christophe Harbor was chosen as it provided an ideal sheltered location on the southeast peninsula of St. Kitts, but which also provides boat owners with easy access to both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic.

St Kitts and Nevis sit side by side within an arc of volcanic peaks within the Leeward islands. Green and fertile these are two of the most beatiful and unspoilt islands in the Caribbean. They have strikingly beautiful views of each other across the Narrows, a channel just two miles wide which provide an ideal days sailing, with a stopover for lunch ( it’s hard work writing this as I imgaine doing this right now!!)

With over 350 acres of surface water, the yacht club will be operated by one of the resort’s five-star hotels. Both Auberge Resorts and Mandarin Oriental will own hotels in the development. Services offered to boat owners and guests will include access to the hotels’ amenities, a heliport at the marina, internet Wi-Fi access, laundry services, dockside provisioning and 24 hour security. There will also be a variety of in-slip services such as  repair and maintenance, fueling hook-up for boats over 60 feet, and waste water and factory services for yachts over 100 feet. The development will also inlcude a range of waterside apartments so you will be able to be on your boat or yacht in minutes. The company will also operate a condominium rental pool for those owners who are looking to rent their properties.

In order to encourage inward investment from overseas owners the Government has introduced several incentives for yacht owners such as an exemption from import duties, and fuel taxes. For the sailors, they will be pleased to know the the whole resort will be built using eco-friendly design solutions througout.

As yet I do not have any details on the prices for apartments and berths, but as soon as I have this information I will post the details on the site, along with any photos as construction moves forward. If you have never been to St Kitts I would advise you to go - it is a small gem in the Caribbean, with great sailing, similiar to the BVI, a wonderful welcoming people, and great food !

For decades Spain has been the mecca for boat owners looking for an all year round climate, good food, and excellent facilities, all within a reasonable flying time from Europe and the UK. Marinas along the Costa del Sol have been packed in high season as more Europeans head to Spain to base their boats in the full service marinas, which are increasingly becoming packed in high season. This flood of expats has now become a torrent with most Spanish marinas unable to cope with the increasing demand for berths and moorage.

In the last few years, the southern Italian island of Sicily has started to stir from its slumber as the poor relation to it’s mainland cousin. Afloat in the Meditterranean it sits between mainland Italy and Cap Bon in Tunisia. As a meeting point for all four points of the compass, Sicily has been involved in virutally every major Meditteranean war, and its culture and history have been moulded by it’s various African, European and Asian rulers. It is an island full of art, archeology, history, folklore, breathtaking scenery, and ofcourse some of the finest food in the world.

Now it has added a new marina at Licata, located on the Southern most side of the island. The development includes moorings from 8 metres up to a maximum of 70 metres, and is based on the Far East model of a self contained marina vilage. The on site facilities incude, restaurants, a health club, tennis courts, a sailing school and a private beach, all for the exclusive use of members and guests. The properties available are either one or two bed luxury apartments which are a stones throw from the marina itself - it really is a minutes walk to your boat or yacht!! Prices for apartments start at around 320,000 euros for a one bedroom apartment, with a 12 metre mooring included in the price.

Personally, whilst I feel the above would be both an excellent investment and also a wonderful place to live ( both as a second home or full time ), the main issue I have is that of getting there. There are direct flights to both Palermo and Catania, but both these airports are a considerable distance from Licata, and on mountaneous roads the journey could take 3 or 4 hours, almost as long as the flying time to get to the Island itself. In addition, some of these flights are severly reduced in winter, at a time when you may be looking for a weekend break in the sun. However, with a long sailing season, wonderful climate, even better food, and more culture than you can shake a stick at - perhaps it is worth the effort!! If you would like further details please just contact me via the comments box.