Brand new superyacht marina close to Monaco opens its doors

Cala del Forte welcomed its first visitor earlier this month when the iconic sailing yacht Tuiga arrived to dock at the state-of-the-art site which is located in Ventimiglia, Italy, just eight miles from Monaco.

Protected naturally from the elements and with strictly monitored access, Cala del Forte Marina caters for yachts up to over 70m (230ft) in length and also boasts 39 shops, 577 parking spaces and 15,000 square meters of beautiful promenades and gardens.

By sea, the port is located just 25 nautical miles from Antibes and 35 nautical miles from Cannes. Those chartering a yacht will also be able to access Italian hotspots such as Portofino, just 77 nautical miles away, and Sardinia's Costa Smeralda, just 207 nautical miles away.

The area was identified by Ports de Monaco, who operate the marina, as a potential solution to the berthing shortage that has beset Monaco over recent years, as it has become a more and more popular destination for luxury yacht charters. Securing a space at either Port Hercule or Fontvieille Marina has become increasingly difficult, despite considerable development and expansion work in the past 15 years.

Originally a jetty in the 1960s, construction on the new marina began in early 2017. The arrival of Tuiga, quickly followed by three more yachts, opened Cala del Forte on 15 October. An official inauguration of the site is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2021.

The location of the marina, Ventimiglia, is the first town visitors see when they enter Italy from France. Well known for its daily street market, it also boasts a unique medieval district. Monaco is eight nautical miles away, or 30 minutes by road with regular transfers allowing Owners and their guests easy access to the glitzy principality.

Cala del Forte is offering daily, monthly and seasonal reservation rates for its berths, as well as the opportunity to purchase a limited number of berths on a long-term lease arrangement of 40 years.