Puerto Banus

Checked out of Gibraltar for a second time on the 8th to head for Puerto Banus, weather looks good, 16 – 20 knots of wind, sun shining, moderate sea. We had one of the best sails since leaving the UK. On a broad reach all the way, at one point saw over 10 knots boat speed surfing down a wave, brilliant. We had 30 miles to go and anticipated about 5-6 hours journey time, we actually did it in just under 4 hours. It’s the type of sailing that makes you remember what you love about it.

Precision parking in Puerto Banus - yes those boats are only inches from ours!

After the building site which is Gibraltar Puerto Banus feels very much finished. It's quite a pretty place.


View from the boat to the mountains behind Puerto Banus

It’s very expensive, there’s lots of money here, you only have to walk around the shopping areas and every shop is a designer label. Walking along the port you’ll pass numerous Ferraris, Lamborghinis, the odd DB9, Rollers, the latest Maserati etc etc. However, for all its money the place has no character at all. As far as I can remember (I’ve been here in a previous working life) there’s nothing particularly touristy to do here. It’s the kind of place you come to be seen in, lay on the beach and frequent the right restaurants, not the kind of place you come to see or experience anything in particular.

The part for the Chartplotter should have been here yesterday(Monday) but true to Spanish form it hadn't even been sent from Madrid. The guy at the chandlers had to order it again and get it on a special delivery to get it here for today, it would have been tomorrow otherwise. It should be fixed this evening and we'll be off tomorrow - not sure where, depends on how the weather pans out over the next few days.

More pictures of Puerto Banus here