Nautical Tourism in Cantabria
Cantabria has currently marinas in its capital, Santander, and in other coastal towns, like Castro Urdiales, Laredo, Colindres, Santoña, Suances, Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera.
In this respect, the port of Santander is a benchmark and, together with Santoña, they are the largest natural ports in northern Spain.
Hundreds of recreational boats, especially sailboats, visit these charming coasts every year. The wind is rarely calm in the Cantabrian Sea, which makes it an ideal setting for sailing sports, and regattas take place during the year round.
In Cantabria there is a considerable permanent sailboat fleet, a pool of elite regatta competitors with important achievements at national, international and Olympic tournaments. There are several sailing schools operating in the region and it is possible to take introductory and advanced courses with specialized instructors throughout the year.
Marinas
The exceptional orographic conditions of the Cantabrian coastline constitute a convenient location for marinas, both for fishing and recreational use, which enable fishing and boating sports throughout most of the year.
Boating activities can be practiced throughout most of the year in Cantabria, due to the excellent conditions of its bays, where some of the main marinas are located. In Santander and Laredo-Santoña bays, sail and motor boats can go out to sea every day of the year.
From east to west, these are the most important marinas:
- Castro Urdiales. This port is located opposite the town’s Boating Club and next to its charming fishing port.
- Laredo. This modern marina, located next to the town centre, has 857 berths and a large service area, as well as technical service. It is bound to become one of the benchmark marinas of the Cantabrian sea.
- Santoña. In this lovely fishing town there is a marina that has a-hundred-boat capacity. The jetties are in a completely protected dock.
- Marina de Pedreña. This marina is located in the south of Santander Bay, in the small village of the same name, opposite the Royal Golf Club of Pedreña.
- Marina del Cantábrico. This is the most important marina of the Cantabrian coast. Located southwest of Santander Bay, it is very close to Santander airport and the Cantabrian motorway.
- Puertochico. Located in one of the most emblematic areas of Santander, right in the centre of the city, Puerto Chico is undoubtedly one of the most renowned marinas in the country, as outstanding Olympic regatta competitors like Gorostegui, Abascal, Piris or López-Vázquez started out here.
Other towns like Suances, Comillas or San Vicente de la Barquera, where important fishing ports are located, have room for recreational sail and motor boats.
Sailing schools:
- The CEAR de Vela Príncipe Felipe de Santander is a sailing school suitable for all levels and public, and is the current training and preparation venue for the Spanish Olympic sailing team.
- Regatta school of the Royal Boating Club of Santander, located right in the heart of Santander Bay, next to Puertochico.
- The Cantabrian school of boating sports “Isla de la Torre”, located at the Bay’s entrance and opposite the Magdalena Palace and beach in Santander.
- Marina de Cudeyo Boating Activities Centre, located in Marina de Pedreña.
- Sailing school of the Royal Boating Club of Laredo.
- Sailing school of the Royal Boating Club of Castro Urdiales.
- Sailing school of Santoña.
Useful links:
- Cantabrian sailing federation: http://www.fcvela.com/
- Association of Boating Interests of Cantabria, AINACAN: created mainly to look after the interests of the sea sector in the region. https://www.facebook.com/AinacanNautica
