With Gibraltar’s fuel tax-free and up to 40% cheaper than neighbouring Spain, it makes strategic sense for superyachts to make a stop at the rock before crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean for the winter season.
Geographically, Gibraltar is at the confluence of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic – a familiar British stop off for the milk run.
Attracted by berth rates of £3.50 per metre per day for superyachts six were in Ocean Village at one time just recently.
This included:
- 33 metre Suakin
- 43 metre Calliope
- 55 metre Turquoise
- 56.5 metre Hampshire
- 60 metre Sea Pearl
- 61.5 metre Solemar
Off the water, Ocean Village has plenty to entertain and occupy visiting crews. The Marina offers retail therapy with fashion boutiques and liquor stores (and an all-important chandlery), hospitality heaven with everything from Irish pubs to authentic Indian cuisine as well as nightclubs and Gibraltar’s only combined casino, bingo club and sports betting zone. A Health Club is also on-hand for maintaining that body beautiful.
As a recent innovation, the retailers and restaurants in Ocean Village marina have launched a special “Premier Card” offering discounts in the various waterside establishments.
Superyacht Crew will get their own day version of the Card which will entitle them to all of the standard advantages alongside additional discounts from the Hire-U-Shop and Sheppard’s Chandlery.