Marina de Vilamoura, Portugal’s largest marina, is set to expand with new berths for superyachts. Umesh Patel joins the 50th anniversary celebrations and the grand unveiling of the Nova Marina project…
It’s a bit jarring — boarding a plane at Gatwick in the dead of a bleak winter morning, wrapped in layers of misery, only to step off three hours later into a burst of sunshine and clear blue skies. No jet lag, no time difference and not a woolly hat in sight.
My destination? Vilamoura — a cosy little corner of Portugal’s Algarve that forms part of the much-sought-after ‘Golden Triangle’ region and, thankfully, offers much more than just golf. At its heart lies the Marina de Vilamoura, marking its 50th anniversary like a grand dame at a glittering ball.
So, what is it about Portugal’s largest marina that lures in the visitors? For a start, it’s got charisma by the bucketload. Yes, it’s charming — quintessentially so — but it’s also alive, with cafés, bars and restaurants spilling onto its sunlit walkways. This is far more than just a pretty backdrop for your morning espresso and pastel de nata.
The marina is the beating heart of Vilamoura, where leisure and luxury come together seamlessly in a way that’s utterly irresistible. Picture, if you will, the sun rising over a seamless row of yachts, their reflections dancing on the water’s surface to the rhythmic beats of samba drifting from a nearby alfresco bar. This is Vilamoura — a place brimming with charm, allure and just the right dash of glamour.
And nowhere was that glamour more on display than at the recent celebrations—a dazzling extravaganza of pomp and circumstance that would have had Elgar himself twisting his moustache and nodding in approval. The event was a who’s who of the elite, with government officials mingling alongside international glitterati and even the legendary Portuguese footballer Luís Figo making an appearance. But amidst the glitz, fireworks and flowing champagne, the true star of the evening emerged: the grand unveiling of Nova Marina, a development by Arrow Global, an asset management company that specialises in real estate.
This ambitious project, which will continue in 2025 with further updates, is more than just an extension of the existing marina; it’s a bold statement, positioning it as the unrivalled crown jewel of the Algarve. Nova Marina will be the latest addition to the *Vilamoura portfolio, a collection that already boasts luxury hotels, upscale residential properties and an impressive range of leisure and sporting facilities, including world-class golf courses. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of 500,000 square metres of prime land, ripe for development.
Central to Nova Marina’s plans are high-end hotels and luxury retail spaces, anchored by three state-of-the-art pontoons. These newly unveiled berths will accommodate larger boats and superyachts ranging from 20 to 40 metres, meeting the insatiable demand for luxury mooring. Because let’s face it, even the world’s wealthiest need somewhere suitably glamorous to park their floating palaces.
I had the privilege of speaking with Isolete Correia, CEO of Marina de Vilamoura and a stalwart of its journey since the 70s. For her, this isn’t just about boats and berths; it’s about connection— linking people to the sea, fostering relationships and cultivating what she described as a ‘broader vision of nautical culture.’
The new berths bring this vision to life, redefining luxury and convenience with state-of-the-art amenities that make you wonder if we’ve all been living in the dark ages. Water and electricity controlled with a tap on a screen? Of course. Charging stations for electric boats? Naturally. Advanced desalination systems and solar panels for energy generation? Absolutely—because even superyacht owners want to feel a bit smug about saving the planet. Every detail has been designed with sustainability at its core, proving that the future has not only arrived—it’s looking rather sleek.
To really grasp the scale of this grand vision, we need to go back to 1970, when Artur Cupertino de Miranda looked out across an unremarkable stretch of farmland and saw potential. His plan? To create a 612-berth marina. But this wasn’t just about parking boats—no, this was the beginning of something far grander. The first vessel to dock was Giralda, a sleek sailing yacht owned by the Count of Barcelona, setting a lofty, almost regal tone for everything that followed.
Fast forward fifty years, and Marina de Vilamoura is no longer just a marina—it’s a global destination. Now with 825 berths, it’s a magnet for the world’s finest yachts—testament to this is the number of accolades it’s been hoovering up. Its latest triumph? The prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Platinum certification, a rare honour that only 11 marinas in the world can claim, securing its place among the nautical elite.
What began as a modest marina has since evolved into a shining beacon of ambition, opportunity and that rare kind of understated luxury. As for Nova Marina? It will be the icing on the cake—relentlessly stylish, irresistibly glamorous and a clear message that Marina de Vilamoura isn’t just resting on its laurels.
The Great Dame is far from finished…
Umesh flew directly to Faro from London Gatwick with British Airways. For more details on flight schedules and prices, visit the BA website. During his visit, Umesh stayed at The Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa. You can find more information about the hotel here.
For more information about the Marina de Vilamoura, please visit www.marinadevilamoura.com.
