The Marina Marketing Blog
Your source of information and guides around marketing and growth in the marine industry
Why Marinas Are Becoming Europe’s Hidden Investment Gems
Why marinas are quietly transforming into Europe’s high‑yield investment frontier
In a market flooded with traditional property bets, Mediterranean marinas stand out. With coastal regulations taking years—sometimes a decade—to grant approval, existing marinas become rare, high-value assets in prime locations like the Balearics or the Amalfi Coast. These hubs generate diversified, recurring income—think berth rentals, fuel, storage, and shipyard services—and ride the wave of rising yacht tourism and demand. Layer on increasing private-equity interest, strong asset appreciation, and savvy marketing, and marinas aren’t just coastal retreats—they’re resilient, brand-powered investment ecosystems.
The Ultimate Growth Guide for Mediterranean Marinas (2025)- How to run a smarter, fuller, and more profitable marina this season and beyond
Run a smarter, fuller, and far more profitable marina in 2025
Whether you're managing a boutique harbor in Corsica or a mega-yacht marina on the Costa Brava, this guide is your growth playbook. In 2025, occupancy is no longer enough—it's profit per berth that counts. From dynamic yield pricing and premium amenity upselling to next-level digital tools like booking-integrated websites, fast mobile experiences, and live chat, we show how to turn every berth into revenue. Staff fluent in multiple languages, glowing online reviews, and winter-season tactics like early-bird ads and local partnerships are powerful multipliers. Transform your marina from a stopover into a memorable destination.
The Best Marinas in Barcelona: Where to Moor Your Boat in Style
Discover Barcelona’s top marinas where harbor charm meets style and convenience
Barcelona isn’t just a cultural capital—it’s a dream destination for boaters and sailors. This guide takes you through the city’s premier marinas—from the ultra-luxe Port Vell nestled in the Gothic Quarter, offering concierge service and superyacht berths, to the vibrant Port Olímpic buzzing with nightlife and beachside charm. Prefer modern amenities? Marina Vela delivers sleek facilities and seamless sea access. Looking for affordability or DIY maintenance? Head to Port Fòrum. And for regatta enthusiasts, Real Club Nàutic de Barcelona offers exclusivity and tradition. Whether you’re after prestige, social buzz, or a practical, long-term berth, this guide has every boater covered.
Navily Is the Airbnb of the Boat World — Marinas Should Pay Attention or get left behind
Navily is redefining marina bookings—guest app logic, community trust, and seamless reservations in one app
With over 700,000 users, thousands of verified reviews, and a fast-growing roster of European partners, Navily isn’t just a navigation tool—it’s a marketing powerhouse for marinas. It empowers sailors to discover, review, and book berths with just a few taps, guided by peer insights and real-time info. Marinas that don’t claim and optimize their Navily presence risk fading into obscurity. From boosting visibility and reputation to streamlining direct bookings and reducing admin load, this platform is where marina marketing sails ahead. (Based on Marina Marketing, Lee Webster, Aug 6 2025)
How Mediterranean Charter Companies Can Book More Trips Using Smarter Digital Marketing
Outdated marketing is leaving Mediterranean charters in limbo—modernize or get left behind
Whether you're running a family catamaran in the Cyclades or a luxury fleet in the Balearics, relying on stale websites and generic listings isn’t cutting it. Today’s travellers book via smartphone—with search, reviews, and curated experiences at their fingertips. Stand out with targeted local SEO (think “catamaran charter in Sardinia”), a sleek, mobile-first site that truly converts, glowing social proof, and precision ads aimed at people actively planning their next getaway. It’s not just about being seen—it’s about being chosen.
(Based on Marina Marketing Blog, Lee Webster, Aug 4 2025)
Our Favorite Hidden Gem Marinas in the Mediterranean
Discover Europe’s most soulful marinas—places that feel like home, not just a harbor
From the welcoming family-run docks of Port de Sant Feliu on Spain’s Costa Brava—set between rugged red cliffs and golden sands—to the tranquil charm of Port de la Figueirette near Cannes, with its postcard-perfect sunset views and red-rock cradled calm. In Bormes‑les‑Mimosas on the French Riviera, experience serenity and crystal-clear waters away from summer crowds. Vieux Port de Menton, perched at the France–Italy border, offers lemon-tree-framed promenades and pastel village scenes that evoke a fairytale. Off in Italy, Porto Azzurro (Elba) greets you with sheltered hillsides and classic island charm, while Marina Isola Rossa (Sardinia) feels like a laid-back fishing-town escape—authentically beautiful and refreshingly uncrowded.
(Based on Marina Marketing Blog, Lee Webster, August 3 2025)
The Most Common Mistake Marinas Make With Their Website (And How It’s Costing Them Bookings)
Your website isn’t enough—if it doesn’t convert, you’re literally leaking revenue
Every cruising sailor today browses on their phone—checking reviews, Google, or booking apps like Navily before choosing a port. If your site loads slowly (more than 3 seconds), looks awkward on mobile, or lacks an obvious booking option, they’ll just move on—often costing you a 3-night stay plus food, fuel, maintenance, and more. Multiply that by 20–30 visits lost per month, and those missed opportunities add up fast. Ensure your website supports fast loading, mobile responsiveness, instant booking, and visible social proof to turn traffic into bookings.
How Mediterranean Marinas Can Maximise Bookings and Revenue with Smart, Modern Marketing
In today’s digital-first era, standing out on the Med is about more than your location—it’s about how smartly you market
With over 15,000 ports and anchorages across Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and beyond, Mediterranean marinas must go beyond word-of-mouth—and embrace tools like local SEO, AI-powered targeting, and mobile-first booking experiences to stay competitive. Optimize for search terms like “marina near Antibes,” embed Google Maps, and invite review-rich listings powered by schema markup for clarity and ranking boosts. Use AI (think Synthetiq, Meta Advantage+, Performance Max) for predictive campaigns, smarter ad spend, and email automation. Pair that with glowing guest reviews, targeted Facebook/Instagram ads, and data-driven website enhancements—fast-loading, mobile-responsive, with real-time availability—to convert traffic into bookings. Track everything using GA4, Hotjar, CRM tools, and more—because in today’s marina market, digital insights are your compass to higher occupancy and off-season traffic.
Why Good Reviews Are the Most Powerful Marketing Tool for Mediterranean Marinas
In the Med's competitive marina scene, good reviews are the new currency—miss them, and you’re leaving revenue and trust on the dock.
Whether you're nestled in the Balearics, the Greek Isles, or the Côte d’Azur, today’s marinas live and
die by what boaters say online—but only if you build and manage that reputation. Studies show that 92% of boaters read reviews before booking, and over 70% trust peer reviews more than marina websites. Even better? Marinas with 25 or more positive reviews often see a 20–30% spike in bookings. Reviews aren’t just social proof—they drive visibility, pricing power, repeat visits—and ultimately, revenue.