LIFESTYLE

The Best Marinas in The World and Where You Might Find the Cheapest Meal

March 1,2024

A meal by the marina is an idyllic way to spend time aboard, but where might you find the best spots to visit when it comes to dining alfresco and watching the boats go by?

A meal by the marina is an idyllic way to spend time aboard, but where might you find the best spots to visit when it comes to dining alfresco and watching the boats go by? 

The yachting experts at SuperYachtsMonaco have explored some of the best destination marinas to visit around the world, and where you might find a reasonably priced bite to eat too! 

The top 20 marina destinations have been ranked based on a number of different factors such as, search volumes, Instagram hashtag popularity, TripAdvisor reviews, and the average cost of a meal for two in the area. 

Among the most highly rated marinas is Yalıkavak Marina in Turkey, where the average price of a three-course meal for two is just £25, followed closely by Porto Montenegro in the town of Tivat, where a meal is likely to set you back around £51.

The top three marinas in the world: 

Porto Montenegro, Montenegro 

Thanks to its glistening waters, pristine paths, and luminous skies, Porto Montenegro is often ranked among the best marinas in the world to visit. With almost 200,000 Instagram hashtags, it seems to be one of the most popular marinas for taking snaps too. The Mediterranean superyacht hotspot is bound to have its pick of expensive eateries, but there are  also more casual dining options available. 

Yalıkavak Marina, Turkey

Turkey tops the list of best marinas to visit and that’s down to its award-winning marina,Yalıkavak. The marina oozes luxury and a vibrant energy, along with breathtaking surrounding scenery – perfect for a bite to eat overlooking the Aegean Sea. Known for its exclusive beach clubs and restaurants, meals can get pricey, but there are plenty of spots that are very reasonably priced according to TripAdvisor. It also boasts the lowest average cost per meal out of all the marinas listed.  

Dubai Marina, Dubai 

A man-made marina that can’t be missed and comes in third on the list, is the beautiful Dubai Marina. Stretched over 3km, it’s here where you’ll find a mix of extremely luxurious hotels, apartments and cafes. The level of luxury you choose to indulge in is entirely up to you. There are a great mix of holiday activities available and dining options ranging from casual mall meals, to the ultimate fine dining experiences. According to the research, a meal in Dubai on average will cost around £54. 

Puerto Banús, Marbella

A marina that can’t be missed and comes in third on the list, is the beautiful Puerto Banús in Marbella. It’s here where you’ll find a mix of extremely high-end boutiques, hotels, apartments, and cafes. The level of luxury you choose to indulge in is entirely up to you. There are a great mix of dining options ranging from casual meals, to the ultimate fine dining experiences overlooking the marina. According to the research, a meal in Puerto Banús on average will cost around £38. 

The Top 20 Marinas in the World:

RANK
Marina
Location
1
Porto Montenegro
Montenegro
2
Yalıkavak Marina
Turkey
3
Dubai Marina
Dubai
4
Puerto Banús
Marbella
5
Vilamoura Marina
Portugal
6
Yas Marina
Abu Dhabi
7
Port Vell
Barcelona
8
Port de Saint Tropez
France
9
Marina Grande
Capri
10
Port Vauban
Antibes
11
Limassol Marina
Cyprus
12
Marina di Portofino
Genova
13
Port Hercule
Monaco
14
Port Tarraco
Spain
15
Yacht Club Port de Plaisance
St Maarten
16
Ibiza Magna
Ibiza
17
Port Mirabello
Italy
18
Marina di Porto Cervo
Sardinia
19
Grand Harbour Marina
Valletta
20
Port de Gustavia, Saint Barths
Saint Barths
Average cost of a meal for two for each destination: 
RANK
Marina
Location
Meal Out For Two
1
Porto Montenegro
Montenegro
£42.76
2
Yalıkavak Marina
Turkey
£45.66
3
Dubai Marina
Dubai
£53.57
4
Puerto Banús
Marbella
£64.00
5
Vilamoura Marina
Portugal
£43.76
6
Yas Marina
Abu Dhabi
£62.00
7
Port Vell
Barcelona
£47.00
8
Port de Saint Tropez
France
£34.21
9
Marina Grande
Capri
£47.03
10
Port Vauban
Antibes
£59.86
11
Limassol Marina
Cyprus
£51.31
12
Marina di Portofino
Genova
£51.31
13
Port Hercule
Monaco
£94.73
14
Port Tarraco
Spain
£38.48
15
Yacht Club Port de Plaisance
St Maarten
£78.70
16
Ibiza Magna
Ibiza
£72.69
17
Port Mirabello
Italy
£51.31
18
Marina di Porto Cervo
Sardinia
£60
19
Grand Harbour Marina
Valletta
64.81
20
Port de Gustavia, Saint Barths
Saint Barths
£79

Georgia Hutchinson, Brokerage and Marketing Manager at SuperYachtsMonaco, commented:

Our research has helped to highlight some of the most popular destinations around the world when it comes to marinas, encouraging travellers to soak up the marina lifestyle, even if they’re not planning to do any sailing, or of course, charter a yacht. We hope our research continues to put marina holidays firmly on the map and eases the decision making process when it comes to choosing where to visit to observe the beauty of the ocean and its incredible vessels.”