Work has already begun to dredge the port that will become Marina Lanzarote, the newest sports marina on the island, based in Puerto Naos, Arrecife. It is estimated this part of the preparations for the new port will take four months to complete and once done, the harbour will be ready to be inaugurated.
With the proposed refurbishments finally accomplished, Marina Lanzarote will become the third luxury harbour on the island, alongside Puerto Caleroand our very own Marina Rubicon in Playa Blanca.
Along with moorings for boats, the current plans envisage the harbour becoming a destination for tourists and locals alike, with an array of commercial outlets, bars and restaurants all constructed to take maximum advantage of the seafront location.
The success already garnered by both Puerto Calero and Marina Rubicon in attracting day visitors illustrate the popularity of waterside venues on the island. Both these existing harbours operate as destinations in themselves, with the additional bonus of excursions such as catamaran sailing and submarine journeys acting as a further reason for families to head towards them.
It is also fair to speculate that additional moorings should increase the quantity and quality of maritime traffic that is attracted to Lanzarote. In recent years, the development of more up market marinas, in conjunction with the rise in the number of golf courses, has been seen as an important tool in helping to redefine the type of tourism the Canaries are known for.
Those who can afford to maintain a yacht and go sailing regularly are precisely the kind of visitor favoured by this kind of development. Being able to capitalize on the ARC Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean should see greater numbers of sailors arriving in November to reach the starting point in Gran Canaria.
But it isn’t simply sailors who will appreciate the sleek new surroundings of Marina Lanzarote. It is bound to appeal to holidaymakers to the island as well, especially those who are looking to enjoy a little retail indulgence in a slightly different setting.
Despite the affects of the recession on the main tourist resorts, it could be argued that the retail outlets in both Puerto Calero and Marina Rubicon have managed to survive because of their more exclusive feel. Boutiques and high fashion shops in the two ports continue to trade, while elsewhere, other commercial centres appear to be struggling. Having a third marina that visitors can head to should firmly establish the island as a key maritime destination.
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