Sailing in Spain

[damage76]

We are chartering a boat to sail around the Valencia region for the America's CUp next yeat when ETNZ win it.
Anyway, what is it like to moor along coast, ie are there little coves and bay which we can tuck into over night rather than fighting for a marina berth.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Damian

[swagman]

Hi Damian,

Suspect you may have asked this (and I also answered) on another forum earlier today.
For the benefit of others interested, Valencia and adjacent coastline has few well protected anchorages - but there is a lot of new marina contruction still underway in advance of the Americas Cup. So whilst it is always worth booking early, berths may not be as scarce as most people think.

Good luck
JOHN

[SAADA]

We ancor last summer outside altea (Luis campomares Marina) and we where about 2hour sailing from AC regatas. This area is mutch more plasant than Valencia.

[swagman]

Originally Posted by SAADA

We ancor last summer outside altea (Luis campomares Marina) and we where about 2hour sailing from AC regatas. This area is mutch more plasant than Valencia.

Valencia is about 50 miles north of Cape Calpe - a rocky headland which sticks out almost level with the Balearics.

Altea is about 40 miles south of Calpe.

The coast south of Calpe is as you'd guess, somewhat protected from Northerly winds - but it is equally open to anything out of the N/W to S. North of Calpe one gets the opposite.

But apart from the rocky headland of Calpe the region presents a lowish coastline, where the normal anchoring option is only off a beach - and usually not overnight. Calpe headland (near Denia) has a few rocky islands - nice and pretty - but not protected.

We've found even a few days constant winds from seaward tend to see a reasonable swell rolling onto the beaches - and its not helped by sea breezes which kick in most afternoons.

Prevailing summer winds in the region are around F2/3 from anywhere NE to SW - but when they do fill in stronger due to bad weather further north - you'll feel the effect with winds from the NW to E.

Off the northern end of the marina wall at Altea as has been suggested would indeed give you some protection from southerlies and the coast line itslef protect you from W to N. But it is open to seaward, and practically some 100 miles by sea around Calpe and up to Valencia.

So sorry - not really sure how one could park there and still get to the races each day..........

As said before - lots of new marina build underway in the area - some speak well of a new facility at Denia which is somewhat closer than Altea. IMHO do not bank on anchoring.

Cheers
JOHN

[Annabel]

Hey Demian
Couldn't believe seeing "Damage" while preparing to ask questions on visa requirements for Greece etc. You just might have to return to Croatia again, or join us in the Ionian mid August.
Does anyone know how long we can stay in Greece as visitors on a NZ registered yacht by the way. We are leaving it there for the winter.
Catch you both soon Damian
Annabel

[Annabel]

Hey Demian
Couldn't believe seeing "Damage" while preparing to ask questions on visa requirements for Greece etc. You just might have to return to Croatia again, or join us in the Ionian mid August.
Does anyone know how long we can stay in Greece as visitors on a NZ registered yacht by the way. We are leaving it there for the winter.
Catch you both soon Damian
Annabel

[JimB]

Annabel

Personal visas lasted for 3 months in 2000 for non EU people, though as long as you didn't go ashore, no visa was needed! Visas were easily extended by 3 months.

On entry a non-EU yacht will pay for a transit log which will be valid for 6 months, extendable for a further 6 months. While out of the water, if you leave the country, it's possible to put your vessel in bond - which effectively extends your transit log. This will depend on the efficiency and knowledge of your local port police office and customs.

At the end of 12 months, you have to leave the country. Several non EU yachts manage this by popping across to cruise in Turkey (or Croatia) for a short period, then returning.

There's a lot more info about 'nice places to go' and layup sites on my website, www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/

JimB

[ozim]

Hi Damian,

I also plan to visit Valencia during next years Americas Cup, or actually during Louis Vuitton Cup in May. They have that new cool marina right in the heart of AC village - http://www.portamericascup.com/ - but at the moment they only sell one months packages at a very 'reasonable' price like 8000 euros for 15m LOA !! I asked them to put me on the waiting list if they decided to sell berths on a daily basis in the future (however I wonder what the price will be - 500e/day or something ?!).
I send an email to http://www.rcnauticovalencia.com/ asking if they may have a free berth but of course got no responose (forgot they don't understand English in Spain).
So things are not looking to rosy at the moment for the AC followers

Chris

[stardust]

Hi Damien
I normally keep my boat in Denia ,which is 50 miles south of Valencia, there are good anchorages off Isla Benidorm(on buoys) and excellent anchorages at Moroira and just north of Javea. further north the beaches are pretty exposed. But dont forget Ibiza is only 50 miles from the mainland and is full of anchorages and one can always find shelter whatever the wind ir swell. even in July most of the stink boats go home and your on your own.
Bill F

[stardust]

sorry anchorages south of Javea
Bill F