Berthing Fees
Berthing fees are the charges levied by a marina, port or harbour for occupying a berth. On superyachts they are typically calculated per metre of length overall (LOA) per night, with surcharges for high season, prime locations such as Monaco or Porto Cervo, and supplementary services such as shore power, water and waste collection.
What are berthing fees?
Berthing fees are the charges levied by marinas, ports and yacht harbours for the right to occupy a berth. They are one of the larger recurring line items in any superyacht operating budget, particularly for yachts based in the Mediterranean or Caribbean in season. The standard pricing convention is per metre of length overall (LOA) per night, although weekly and monthly rates, annual berths and long-term contracts are also widely available and typically work out cheaper on a per-night basis.
Pricing varies sharply by location, season and berth type. Prime Mediterranean addresses such as Monaco's Port Hercules, Porto Cervo, Saint-Tropez, Antibes Quai des Milliardaires, Capri and Portofino command the highest rates, particularly during high season from late June to early September and around major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Yachting Festival. Secondary ports in the same region can be a fraction of the cost, and off-season rates from October through April are typically lower again. Caribbean rates rise during the winter season from December to April, with marinas in Saint Barths, Antigua and the Bahamas seeing the strongest demand.
The headline per-metre rate is rarely the full picture. Yachts are normally charged separately for shore power consumption (often metered by kilowatt-hour), fresh water, black and grey water pump-out, waste collection, security, and concierge or harbour-master services. VAT or local equivalent is applied on top in most EU jurisdictions.
Why it matters for yacht owners
Berthing fees are a substantial and partially predictable cost that any owner or yacht management team must plan for as part of the annual operating budget. For a 50-metre yacht running a typical Mediterranean summer programme, peak-season berthing in prime locations can amount to a meaningful share of the season's total expenditure. Beyond the headline cost, berth availability in premium ports is genuinely constrained during peak weeks and major events, which is why captains and managers typically reserve a year or more in advance. Negotiated annual or seasonal contracts in second-tier ports can offer significant savings without materially affecting the cruising programme.
Key facts
- Berthing fees are charged per metre LOA per night, with weekly, monthly and annual rates also widely available.
- Prime Mediterranean ports (Monaco, Porto Cervo, Saint-Tropez, Antibes) command the highest rates, particularly in high season.
- High season in the Mediterranean runs roughly late June through early September; Caribbean high season runs December to April.
- Major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show push rates and demand sharply higher.
- Shore power, water, waste pump-out and security are typically billed separately on top of the headline berthing rate.
- VAT or local equivalent is applied in most EU jurisdictions.
- Premium-berth availability is genuinely constrained; captains typically reserve well in advance for peak weeks.
- Annual or seasonal contracts in secondary ports can substantially reduce overall berthing cost for yachts cruising flexibly.
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View moreFAQ
How are berthing fees calculated?
The standard convention is per metre of length overall (LOA) per night. A marina with a published rate of, say, EUR 30 per metre per night would charge a 50-metre yacht EUR 1,500 per night before extras. Some marinas use beam as a secondary multiplier or charge by berth category rather than strict metre rate. Weekly, monthly and annual contracts are normally available and work out cheaper per night than walk-up rates. VAT and any local tourism levies are added on top in most jurisdictions.
Which Mediterranean ports are the most expensive?
Monaco's Port Hercules, Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda, Saint-Tropez during the summer season, Antibes Quai des Milliardaires, Capri and Portofino consistently command the highest berthing rates in the Mediterranean. Rates in these ports rise sharply during high season from late June to early September, and rise again around major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix in late May, the Cannes Yachting Festival in September and the Monaco Yacht Show in late September. Demand routinely exceeds supply in peak weeks.
What is included in the headline berthing rate?
Usually only the berth itself. Shore power is normally metered separately by kilowatt-hour, with significant consumption on a yacht running HVAC and galley equipment from shore. Fresh water, black and grey water pump-out and general waste collection are typically billed by usage. Some marinas include basic security and harbour-master services in the headline rate; others itemise them. Concierge services, laundry, provisioning support and crew amenities are normally extra. The total monthly bill at a premium marina is meaningfully higher than the per-metre rate alone would suggest.
How far in advance do superyachts need to book a berth?
For peak weeks in premium Mediterranean ports such as the Monaco Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival, the August school holidays, Cannes Yachting Festival and the Monaco Yacht Show, captains and yacht managers typically secure berths a year or more in advance, and the largest yachts can find availability genuinely constrained even then. For ordinary mid-season cruising, two to three months ahead is usually sufficient outside major events. Annual contracts in a base port remove the booking headache entirely and are common for yachts run as private cruising programmes.
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