As superyachts continued to grow and get bigger, in many cases stretching over 200 and 250 feet in length, for many years, marinas didn't necessarily keep up. What it meant was in some cases yachts had to anchor offshore and in other cases, yachts had to dock in industrial areas meant for cargo ships. Waking up in the morning to the sight of hundreds of shipping containers probably isn't a dream for most of us unless we own a shipping company.
That said, the view is changing as more destinations want to be superyacht friendly. Examples range from New York and Miami to Anguilla, St. Kitts and in Europe, Montenegro. In some cases, the views will be spectacular. Here we highlight some of the newest superyacht marinas in prime locations.
New York, One 15 Brooklyn Marina 
New York City is an exciting place to have a superyacht, mixing the yachting lifestyle with the electricity of a global capital and its diverse entertainment and dining options. It also is a great base for cruising to the Hamptons, Newport, Cape Cod, Maine and Atlantic Canada from May to October.
The major downside has been limited prime dockage. Chelsea Piers in Manhattan has long been a popular spot, but with only about a dozen slips and a maximum length of 230 ft., it has its constraints. Also, at most slips, views are blocked. Larger superyachts can use the cruise ship piers in the West 50s just north of the Intrepid, but there isn't much of a neighborhood there and the height of the pier structures obstruct most views. North Cove Marina in Battery Park City has eight megayacht berths, but a limit of 175 ft. In Jersey City, Newport Yacht Club & Marina has 12 slips that will accommodate megayachts (out of 154), with a maximum length of 180 ft.
Now New York is about to get another option for large yachts. One 15 Brooklyn Marina
is located in Brooklyn Bridge Park between Piers 4 and 5 and will open this spring. The eight acre, $28 million marina will become an aquatic parking spot for 100 boats, and will feature a number slips that can accommodate yachts up to 250 ft. in length. It is a sister to the popular club and marina of the same name on Sentosa Island in Singapore. It will offer water, marine grade power, vessel maintenance, sanitary pump-out facilities and 24-hour security within a gated area. It will also be convenient to trendy restaurants and bars within walking distance.
Mathias Chouraki, a broker for Northrop & Johnson, calls the marina a "welcome and needed addition to New York's waterfront." He says it "will benefit the overall marine industry in New York. I am excited to see it is finally coming to fruition."
While much of the superyacht fleet typically goes to Europe for the summer, One 15 Brooklyn Marina will give owners another reason to keep their boats on this side of the Atlantic. And a big bonus will be the spectacular skyline views of Manhattan.
Miami - Island Gardens Deep Harbour
Island Gardens Deep Harbour
opened in time for Art Basel Miami last December, and bills itself as "America's first marina designed exclusively for superyachts." It is located between Miami Beach and downtown Miami on Watson Island. The marina can hold 50 yachts up to 550 ft. and drafts of 18 to 21 ft. deep. While there are area marinas that take yachts to 250 ft. in length, near the Fontainebleau Resort and the Miami Beach Marina, others are constrained at between 125 to 150 ft. Island Gardens also enabled the Miami Boat Show to showcase yachts over 250 ft. for the first time this year.
"Deep Harbour puts Miami on the map as the world's newest superyachting capital," said Mehmet Bayraktar, chairman and CEO, Flagstone Property Group the developer. "Our goal is to establish Miami as the American hub on the elite yachting circuit, along with Monaco, St. Tropez, Sardinia and St. Barts," he added.
"Watson Island Marina is a top-class Marina for top class superyachts in an exciting, hot city. It also is a deep-water port serving the needs of the world's superyachts." Ann Landry, charter broker at Northrop & Johnson says. However, another broker, who didn't want to be named thinks it is premature to tie up at Island Gardens. "Until they build the hotel, the shops and restaurants (by 2018), you are docked in a construction zone," he says. "Right now, you get off your yacht and there is nothing there." On the other hand, if your yacht is too big for the other Miami marinas, at Island Gardens you are only about four miles from South Beach, about an eight-minute drive.
Anguilla - Altamer Resort Marina
Altamer resort's marina project
will be Anguilla's first superyacht marina. Located at Shoal Bay West, it will take yachts up to 200 ft. Megayacht News reports that marina guests will be able to use the facilities of the resort, including concierge services. There will also be duty-free shopping and a new promenade restaurant. The resort occupies 42 acres on the island.
"I think having a marina in Anguilla is going to bring a lot of yachts there. It's a very private island, a lot of celebrities like to vacation there, and it's beautiful. The Altamer resort is lovely and with a marina with slips large enough to accommodate the yachts, it for sure will attract them," says yacht broker Amy Wachmann, also with Northrop & Johnson.
"For over a decade, Altamer Resort has offered the finest world-class hospitality experience on Anguilla, and we are certain that with the involvement of Jeff Boyd, Chairman of Anaconda LTD/Marine Management and Consulting, along with Cross Island Development, we will collectively enhance that reputation," said Francis Greenburger, Chairman and CEO of Time Equities, Inc. in a press release. "Altamer Marina will rival some of the most renowned facilities in the region and will not only position Anguilla as a choice destination among the luxury yachting community, but will meet the rising yachting, shopping and dining demands of high-net worth individuals."
Anaconda LTD and Cross Island Development background includes designing and building luxury yachting destinations such as The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol and Port de Plaisance in St. Maarten, in addition to Yacht Haven Grand in St. Thomas.
St. Kitts - Christophe Harbour
Created by superyacht owner Charles "Buddy" Darby for superyacht users, The Marina at Christophe Harbour features 250 berths, 50 of which will be able to accommodate superyachts. There will be full marina services, including crew facilities, restaurants and shops.
Northrop & Johnson charter broker Jessica Engelmann
says, "
Within an hour of landing in St Kitts, yacht charter guests can be 50 feet deep scuba diving a fantastic wreck just a 15 minute tender ride from the brand new marina at Christophe Harbor." She adds, "With zero current and fantastic visibility, it's great for both beginner and experienced divers. To top it off, the wreck is home to three playful octopus, sea turtles, tons of lobster, and tropical fish of all shapes and sizes! It's an activity not to be missed."
Additionally, Engelmann, adds, "(There is) a fantastic staff with years of luxury yachting experience." She also recommends St. Kitts as a destination. "From zip-lining in the rain forest alongside monkeys or paddleboarding in the nearby lagoon, there's an activity for everyone."
A Park Hyatt is opening on the island later this year and a new FBO, the Yu Lounge, has made flying privately an even more luxurious experience.
Montenegro - Porto Montenegro
If you are looking for a new European hot spot, the spotlight is on Montenegro, which recently caught the eyes of Robb Report,
which wrote, "Storybook charm defines every inch of Montenegro. Medieval castles, red-roofed houses, and tiny fishing villages add to its old-world allure."
Porto Montenegro, which opened last year and was name Superyacht Marina of the Year is a destination unto itself. There is a Regent International luxury hotel, there are residences for sale, a full yacht club, including facilities for crew, shops, restaurants and a marine museum with two submarines that previously belong to the Yugoslav navy. Impressively, it can handle yachts up to 820 feet long.
Charter Broker Fiona Maureso of Northrop & Johnson says, "
Porto Montenegro is a purpose-built, world class marina complex, situated in the beautiful Bay of Kotor. Both crew and clients are well catered for with a range of residential properties, bars, restaurants and shops, as well as a brand new yacht club and a superb hotel. The marina itself offers 450 fully-serviced berths, situated in a secure environment and well-protected from the elements."
Maureso adds, "Porto Montenegro is the perfect springboard for Adriatic charters, offering tax free benefits to charter yachts. It is also easily accessible by air, with Tivat airport just 10 minutes from the marina by car. Dubrovnik is an hour away."
He says, "For charter clients starting their cruise in Porto Montenegro, I recommend that they spend at least a day exploring the Bay of Kotor. The fjord is a UNESCO-protected site, stunningly beautiful and full of historical and cultural treasures. There are also some great places to eat, including the Stari Mlini, an old watermill right on the water's edge but hidden from view."
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