Finding a luxury marina in Cabo can often feel like a real challenge. Not all ports can handle larger private vessels. Others are too far from your residence or resort accommodations, leaving you to make multiple trips on foot when loading and unloading before a voyage. Others aren’t equipped for on-site service or maintenance.
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1. Proximity to your accommodations
Few things are as frustrating as having to haul everything to your accommodations after mooring your yacht. But some luxury resorts have found a solution: marina-side residences.
At Costa Palmas Marina Village, for example, both short-term and long-term vacationers can exit their craft just steps away from the Four Seasons Resort or their private residences.
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2. Slips for larger vessels
Finding a luxury marina for an oversize sailboat or mega yacht can be a challenge, but many of the top resorts are addressing the problem by developing larger private and semi-private slips.
For visitors and residents bringing their own luxury vessel to Cabo, Marina Village in Costa Palmas is now offering slip ownership for sailboats and yachts up to 250 feet long. Nestled in the calm shores of the Sea of Cortez, this full-service marina was designed with elite travelers in mind.
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3. Access to a luxury yacht club
With a designated slip at the marina in Costa Palmas, you’ll also receive a membership to the exclusive Costa Palmas Beach & Yacht Club. As part of this ocean-lovers community, you’ll have access to all the amenities that have elevated the club to an enviable status. Gather in the clubhouse for a conversation around the fire, take a dip in the pool, enjoy games on the sports field, or watch turtles on the beach.
Treat the kids to a day of water sports with knowledgeable instructors and plenty of options to try paddleboarding, windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, and other popular activities. Enjoy a meal in the elegant restaurant or relax in the lounge. The rest of the family can take a tennis lesson, partake in arts and crafts, or explore the surrounding area with a designated guide.
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4. Fuel and maintenance services
There’s no need to seek the services of a supplemental marina if you choose your slip wisely. Look for a full-service marina with not only fueling services on site, but also other important amenities.
Not sure what to look for? As you begin your search into luxury marinas, it’s not too much to expect a drystack system, tailored provisioning, power, water, ice, and wifi. These services come standard at Costa Palmas Marina Village, which sets the bar for marinas around the region.
In addition, captain’s quarters are available for those luxury travelers seeking to keep their yacht’s most experienced skipper close to home.
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5. Sportfishing
The East Cape of Baja California Sur offers some of the best sport fishing in the world. A true luxury marina will be able to put you in touch with local experts. Whether you’re looking to charter a fishing boat for an all-day expedition or are planning to drop anchor from the privacy of your own yacht, sport fishing can quickly become your new favorite hobby.
By consulting with local fishing guides in advance, you’ll get information about boat traffic, conservation restrictions, and fishing limits and regulations for the region. You can also learn what tools to bring, which species are in their peak season, and what techniques are available for fishing from your yacht.
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6. Walkable shopping and dining
It’s no coincidence that marina villages are being developed with luxury yachters in mind. Having access to boutiques, cafes, and upscale dining just steps from the dock provides for a seamless and relaxing pre or post-voyage experience.
At Marina Village at Costa Palmas, you can stock up on homemade pastries, last-minute essentials, and Mexico’s best coffees, chocolates, and tequilas before you set sail. Or finish your ocean-faring journey with a meal prepared by James Beard Foundation Award winner, author, and restaurateur Nancy Silverton at Mozza Baja.
The hub is brimming with waterfront gathering spaces that provide a relaxing atmosphere to gaze at the twinkling stars around a firepit or watch the vessels come and go on their adventures.
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7. Swimmable beaches
Don’t assume that every marina provides access to swimmable beaches. On the contrary, some only serve as a port of call for boaters.
In Cabo, parts of the shoreline are too dangerous due to the depth or wave conditions to allow for swimming. Among the beaches that are swimmable, some are public to provide a space for non-resort tourists to enjoy the water. Others are private beaches, owned by individuals or resorts.
Your best bet is to find a luxury marina in which slip ownership comes with a number of perks, including access to the resort’s swimmable beach.
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8. Nearby airports
There are a number of reasons yachters may need access to an airport. Perhaps you’re leaving your yacht at your part-time residence in Mexico. Or maybe there’s a family emergency that requires you to fly home to be with a loved one. There are also executives who sometimes need to hop on a flight for an urgent in-person meeting.
As you begin to explore marinas, make a checklist of questions to ensure that you’re getting everything you need from your final choice. Amenities, accessibility and preferred destinations can all factor into your decision. And with luxury marinas being designed with the wealthy yachter in mind, there’s no need to settle for anything less than what you want and need.