Report Posted 13th July 2017, by S/V Snowflake

We were just in the boatyard at Port Adriano (July 2017) and we had an excellent experience there. *For catamarans, this is one of the few places on Mallorca that has the capability of lifting a wide beam.

We’re on a 35-foot catamaran and we recently had a problem with a leaking thru hole fitting. Since we were anchored near Santa Ponsa, Adriano was the closest boat yard that could lift a boat of our size.

This was an emergency situation and the team at Yates Adriano went out of their way to help us. Paloma, in the office, was extremely helpful and quick in assisting us when we contacted them for help. Lorenzo was extremely accommodating for us, making sure that we were lifted out as soon as possible and that the work was completed immediately.

When we were lifted out of the water, there were several men on the job, ensuring that the boat was well cared for and that it was dry docked correctly. They even used a ball peen hammer to confirm the best places to brace the hulls – something that has never been done in the three other boatyards we have hauled out in.

Lorenzo, as well as the guys with Marlin (they did the repair), were constantly checking to make sure everything was going ok and that we were satisfied. Lorenzo even went out of his way to find us, when we left the boat yard for a meal so he could give us an update on when they could launch our boat. His communication and his attentiveness were reassuring during what was a stressful time for us.

Based on our experience, Lorenzo and his team are very professional and take the care of each boat and customer into close consideration. Everyone we spoke with at the boatyard spoke very good English. The team with Marlin are British.

Yes, this was double the cost it would have been if we had been lifted on the mainland. However, we were permitted to stay on the boat for the 2 nights were there (prohibited by a lot of boat yards in Spain), which saved money by not having to stay in a hotel. If we could have safely sailed to the mainland, we would have, but it was not an option for us at the time. We are very thankful that Lorenzo, Paloma, and the rest of the team at Yates Adriano were there to help us and provide us with the best care and service.

There was a restaurant we went to twice – La OCA. The food was excellent and the prices were good. The marina itself is obviously well cared for and the surrounding cliffs are not such a bad view.

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Report by Peter of www.786global.com who visited Andraitx area in October 2013 with a 1942 classic w/3m of draft

Port de Andraix (Andratx, Andraitx) is anything but “not crowded by tourists” – to the contrary!

It being one of the few locations on Mallorca and close to Palma with quite many good water-side restaurants and bars – it is accordingly popular!

Transient berths of Club de Vela are few and close to the boat yard -consequently, it can get noisy etc. Long walk to (excellent – best yet found in Mallorca!) facilities. There is a laundry service organized by Marina, just ask, don’t know the prices. The harbour is rather dirty and tends to be smelly especially in no-wind conditions.

Anchoring in the outer harbour now is prohibited and pretty much strictly enforced to protect the sea-weed (Posseidon Grass). All the mooring buoys are privately owned.

There is a well stocked supermarket a short walk away in town.

Warning (1):

Each year between September and November at least one rather severe SW’ly gale tends to hit Porto Andraitx and almost always leaves quite alot of smashed & damaged boats behind. Even in the marina!

Seeking refuge in the fishing harbour is not a good idea because (a) the water is very shallow and (b) the local fishermen obviously don’t like yachts so you stand a good chance to get chased away in a rather unfriendly way.

The public town quay (opposite the Club de Vela) actually is a great option if you go there to have a nice night out in the restaurants close by. Rates are approx. half or even 1/3 of Club de Vela. Water and electricity is available if the town clerk decides to make his round,

BUT:

Warning (2):

The public town quay has no mooring lines available. You need to anchor, stern to, but beware of the large boulders / concrete blocks close to the pier! You need to stay well off the pier with long stern lines and either use a very(!) long gangway or your dinghy to shuttle between your boat and the pier.

If you don’t feel like the (long!) walk from the Club de Vela to town for your evening out, there is a dinghy-pier at the root of the public-pier, infront of “Cappuccino-Cafe & Bar”. (Don’t miss the icecream shop right next to it! In my humble opinion it’s the best of Mallorca!).

Port de Andraitx is very popular with the “rich & famous” and it’s a place “to see and be seen”, so do expect the prices in town to be rather stiff. Never the less, it is definitly worth at least a short visit.

Anchoring & swimming:

Port de Andraitx is no good for that – but, just a few miles to the W there is San Elm tucked behind a small Island opposite the nature conservation area of “Isla Dragonera”. While the vilage is “tourism-style concrete” the anchorage is spectacular, safe in most conditions, good holding if you pick a spot of sand to drop your hook, very crowded during high season but dubbed “Caribbean Beach” for a good reason!

Port Adriano (visited by ca ar just to check the place out!)

Recently redesigned by some famous naval architect, it is very modern (and the opposite of the kind of places I like to visit). Aimed at Superyachts – its clientel don’t seem to look too kindly at the average travelling yachtsman.

Very upscale restaurants and yacht-service companies and a 150ton travel lift. But the boat yard comes with as stiff a prices as the marina and there are many rules and regulations limiting what work you can do on your own boat. (Only professionals approved by the yard – aka who pay them for the privelige to get jobs at the yard – are allowed in. Prices quoted accordingly).

There are two reasons which really make this port prohibitive in our view:

(1) It is at the end of fairly long bay open to SW’lys. In such conditions (common during fall) it is quite impossible to enter (or leave) the port, plus is sending a very uncomfy swell into the marina.

(2) The backdrop of the marina is a sheer cliff (with ugly appartment buildings built into it) and the walk to the supermarket is uphill – but I would not call it a walk, but rather a “climb”.

But if someone likes “fancy with a solid touch of snobish” this marina is for you!

Upside: Due to easy access to the fuel station it is a great option to refuel.

Club Nautico Santa Ponca (visited again by car – just to check the place out).

Very nice location surrounded by a “pine tree forest” (or so it seems). Extremely well protected, but even though it had enough water even for our draft (3m), it is so narrow and crowded that we would have serious difficulties entering, yet alone turning with our 64′ of length (no bow thruster).

Excellent restaurant in the marina, very nice facilities but very limited availability for transient berths.

The bay of Santa Ponca however is quite sheltered (again: Beware of the SW’ly gales common during fall!) and offers good anchorage in different parts (just look for the crowds of locals who have set their own moorings). Shuttling with the dinghy to shore however is fairly tricky, not allowed to the public beaches (to protect the swimmers) & the Club Nautico has stiff charges for dinghys!

However: In the “Poligono Son Bougadelles” (Industrial Center of Santa Ponca) – just a short ride by taxi – you will find excellently stocked chandleries and other supplies of any nature! (Upholsterers, Mechanics, you name it!).

But keep in mind: The SW of Mallorca is very popular with the wealthy and all prices charged in whatever business you talk to, do reflect that. (But in return, the selection is excellent).

Navigation warning:

Beware of the shoal with very little water over it just N of the entrance to the Club Nautico! Don’t be fooled by the many local boats mooring all around it. Even though it is clearly marked, it can easily be missed with all the masts and boats surrounding it and it is solid rock!

We did make a short video during our stay which you can watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zOnyvqg59g

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