The History of Port Ginesta

The History of Port Ginesta. Applications for developing a marina on the site were made to the Catalonian authorities in 1984, with consent granted in 1987; the Port Ginesta history would begin. Over 35 years ago, two passionate local sailors dreamed of building a marina on the Garraf coast in this location. Jordi Tubella and Elda Balletbo decided to pool their resources together with Lluis Velilla and Jaume Puig. The objective was simple and much needed at the time. They would build a marina where ordinary people of Barcelona and the surrounding areas could keep their boats. Little did they realise what such an undertaking would achieve for local people and now for the broader population of Europe. It’s been a fantastic success and one that has defined the area.

Planning the marina

The plan was bold from the beginning. It was a big marina, a base for over 1,000 boats and yachts. Port Ginesta will differ from the entire sector that had dominated yachting in the Mediterranean for the last hundred years. Port Ginesta was to offer an alternative in both style and cost, and all will be welcome. In 1986 the modern marina, designed by the naval architect Norman Cinnamond, was opened.

Port Ginesta could offer a haven for boats and yachts from 7 to 24 meters in length. As the idea developed, it was decided that the marina would be an excellent haven for yachting and boating and where owners could embark on boat building and restoration projects. Therefore commercial premises were included in the plan for Port Ginesta from the beginning.

A small but vibrant cluster of apartments was added to the plan during its development. In 2018, we had 80 apartments on site that, for many, are second homes, but for the lucky few, they are permanent residences. Port Ginesta has co-existed with many companies, from restaurants, riggers, painters, and electricians to Yacht Brokers.  Network Yacht Brokers arrived in 2017; the company has over 20 offices. They hope to bring international marketing to Port Ginesta, which is much needed. Network Yacht Brokers Barcelona moved within the marina to new premises in January 2018, just one year after embarking on the Port Ginesta brokerage project.

Olympic Games

In 1992 the Olympic Games came to Barcelona. This presented a fantastic opportunity for Port Ginesta’s history to be documented. The games led to an improvement of facilities within the marina. The A-Class Catamaran World Championships and many festivals in the port during that time were great successes.

The oil crisis came along just as we all thought life was one long party. This plunged Spain into a deep recession; Port Ginesta only survived thanks to the careful management of resources.

Happier times, they returned. The port underwent extensive development to keep in step with modern marinas that we now take for granted. A further 404 marina berths were created on the west side of the port. The naval architect Norman Cinnamond designed what has now become the jewel in Port Ginesta. This design remembered the natural surrounding of Garraf National Park. In June 2006, the extension to the marina was opened and was hailed an immediate success.

2018 painting booth improvements

After the improvement works carried out in Port Ginesta to the yacht paint booth, the marina decided to celebrate Port Ginesta’s history by publishing this old photo of Fjord III German Frers designed 14.8 meter-long sloop built in 1947 to participate in a regatta between Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. She achieved a decisive victory in that race.

Restoration works of her undertaken in Port Ginesta were completed in 2017. This photo was taken in 1952 when Fjord III was being manoeuvred before boarding a freighter to New York. To participate in Bermuda to Newport race. This is where she became one of the most appreciated and celebrated jewels in the recreational Yachting-associated crown after victory. The Fjord story continues today.

Improvements to Port Ginesta

When writing the Port Ginesta history, plans for re-development of the old part of the marina had not been released to the public. However, an ongoing restoration and development plan will be released between 2018 and 2019. Due to the economic climate, the number of empty units in the marina remains a challenge to overcome Marina Management. Ideas such as constructing other apartments in a section of the marina area are speculated. When improvements are made public, this document will be updated.

Visitors often stay in Port Ginesta.

Port Ginesta Marina is one of the largest marinas in Spain. It is in the district of Sitges, just south of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. This marina has over 1500 boats and yachts. Port Ginesta tends to be a place people visit when thinking of commissioning boats and yachts, and they aim to use them in the Mediterranean rather than the holiday resort it is.

Many people come to Port Ginesta near the sleepy Catalonian town of Garraf, between Port Ginesta and Sitges. People come, often they stay and never say goodbye, as it’s straightforward to fall in love with this place.

This page is only a brief description of what we have learned in the time we have been in the marina. If you have more information, please send it to us by email, and we will be happy to add it.

We are happy to listen also your story and adventure.

When did you first arrive at the port?

What memorable moments can we use to add to our Port Ginesta history?

Send your story to info@nybbarcelona.com, and it will be published on our website.