Anyone who has sailed to Rhodes knows that the island's main harbour, Mandraki, is a rather harsh beauty. Centrally located, but also noisy, usually hopelessly overcrowded, the bottom full of old chains and lines that like to get caught in their own harness when anchoring. Service: close to zero.
The marina was therefore built a little to the south-east - construction began five years ago. Disputes over the building and operating rights to the harbour then caused a long delay, during which work was put on hold.
However, the facility is now almost complete and was opened to yachts for the first time in July. With a water depth of around 5 to 6 metres, the harbour also offers space for large yachts. On land, the service buildings were still under construction in July, but crews can use the harbour office toilets for the time being. Water and electricity are available at the piers, the yachts are currently still mostly moored alongside, but moorings are already planned. In the first stage of construction, the harbour will have 382 berths; in a second stage, 563 will be available, plus 250 shore berths.
A service facility including a 200-tonne travel lift as well as a supermarket, cafés, laundry, restaurant and pool are also due to be completed later this year. Rhodes Marina is around 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the beautiful old town, which is protected by the historic fortress wall.
The marineros in the harbour can be reached by radio via channel 71. The petrol station is not yet operational, but there is the usual local tanker truck that comes to the ships.
Contact via the Website , info@rhodesmarinas.com, Tel.: 0030/2241440970
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
