The New Port of Call for Superyachts Cruising to and from the Côte d'Azur

Founded in 2005, IGY is the largest international marina management company in the world, boasting 17 marinas across 10 countries, with over 3,000 slips under management. IGY is also the only marina management company that can currently accommodate vessels over 153m (501’) in each of the regions it operates – Mediterranean, United States, Caribbean and Latin America.

Servicing more than 8,000 unique vessels annually, IGY is overseen by top-level management that is proficient at acquiring, managing, and servicing superyacht marinas and the surrounding upland real estate properties.

IGY's network of well-positioned marinas reveals the extent of its strategic commercial partnerships including the two most recently added Mediterranean ports, Porto Cervo Marina in Sardinia and IGY Sète Marina in France.

Porto Cervo Marina – Sardinia, Italy

Located in Sardinia, Porto Cervo isn’t a new destination for superyachts, yet it’s important to stress IGY’s involvement in the marina and the reputation that comes with one of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after ports.

Porto Cervo Marina represents IGY’s mission to redefine the Mediterranean experience, combining complementary know-how with Porto Cervo Marina S.R.L (PCM) in the management of the marina and shipyard operations.

An IGY Destination, Porto Cervo’s 700-slip marina offers 100 superyacht berths up to 120m (394’) with the discerning standards that yachts demand in terms of facilities, customer service, destination advice and social events. Porto Cervo’s comprehensive offering includes provisioning, high-speed fuelling, yacht services, waste management, and proximity to world-class dining, shopping, sightseeing and beaches.

“We've made a promise to captains and crew that we will bring enhanced levels of service and fun to our destinations,” said Kenny Jones, Executive Vice President of IGY Operations. “Porto Cervo Marina will strengthen IGY's reputation as a leading operator of superyacht marinas in the Mediterranean region."

IGY Marinas has also been attentive to sporting and community activities in the yachting world, and pride of place at Porto Cervo goes to the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), which hosts some of the most renowned sailing regattas in the world.

The month of May welcomes the YCCS Members Trophy (3-5 May), the Vela & Golf Regatta (17-19 May) and the One Ocean Sailing Champions League (23-26 May) where over 30 qualifying teams from 15 countries compete aboard J/70s.

The 12th Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta is scheduled to take place from 3-8 June with an extra day added to the schedule and invitations to race for multihulls over 50 feet. Other events on the calendar include a beach clean-up on World Oceans Day (8 June), which is supported by PCM and the Star World Championship (13-23 June), YCCS’s flagship regatta the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (1-7 September) and the Audi 52 Super Series Sailing Week (23-28 September).

Building on this strong nautical identity, IGY seeks to enhance the customer experience at Porto Cervo, engaging with the local community and providing the high-level of service synonymous with the IGY Marinas brand.

IGY Sète Marina – South of France

Currently, IGY is the only marina developer investing in a dedicated superyacht marina in France. With great expectations around the summer opening of their purpose-built superyacht marina in Sète, this represents an exciting phase in the expansion of IGY’s global network.

The quaint village of Montouliers in the department of Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon

Scheduled to open in early summer 2019, IGY Sète Marina will offer alongside berthing for superyachts up to 180m (590’) with a maximum draft of 8m (26’). Providing a range of power from 250 to 2000 amps, with new bollards and dockside pedestals delivering 125/250 amps, plug-in fibre-optic Wi-Fi and water, the marina will offer huge flexibility of berthing for yachts of all sizes.

Known as the ‘Little Venice of the Languedoc', Sète is a charming cultural destination located halfway between Barcelona and the French Riviera, with easy access to Montpellier International Airport. Blessed with a location between the sea and hills, it’s a perfect starting point for cruising the southern French coastline and a convenient stopover to and from the Côte d’Azur.

The city itself has an array of attractions and events to entice the superyacht community and IGY is committed to providing a location for yachts to discover the wider region of Hérault and Occitanie. As well as a 12-kilometre ribbon of fine sandy beaches and a busy calendar of festivals such as the Fête de la Saint Louis (a traditional water jousting tournament), there’s plenty of live music and art celebrating the region’s maritime and sailing heritage.

Wine and gastronomy are also part of the DNA of Sète; try the famous Bouzigues oysters or lounge at a canal-side café before visiting one of the local art galleries or museums.

Image © Baras - Office de Tourisme de Sète

Montpellier, just 25 minutes away and with excellent transport links, is one of France’s fastest growing cities and well worth a visit to wander the old town or admire the beautiful hôtels particuliers. Further afield, medieval villages and vineyards are dotted within an hour from the coast, with picturesque National Parks in easy reach and the opportunity to discover ancient Roman attractions such as Pont du Gard and the cities of Nimes and Arles.

Sète is a strategic project for IGY Marinas; a base for winter or a high-service pre/post-season stopover. “IGY Sète Marina is the ideal winter home port with opportunities to buy berths with five, 10 or 15-year leases at very competitive prices,” says Richard Kettle, General Manager at IGY Sète Marina.

Image © Baras - Office de Tourisme de Sète

“There are also mutual benefits in having a second marina in the Med. Having a stopover location in Sète with a known management company like IGY is very appealing to captains and yachts, and just one of many shifts that will influence growth and awareness of the IGY brand in the Mediterranean region.”

IGY Sète Marina is ISPS compliant and fully gated with 24-hour security, while facilities include fuelling, internet connection, concierge services, and alongside dockage to facilitate provisioning, routine maintenance and repairs.

Confirming this unique selling point, Richard Kettle continues, “Alongside berthing for the largest superyachts in a protected basin - a rare feature at leading marinas - allows direct-to-vessel servicing for yachts up to 180m (590’) with the bonus of container storage and parking on the quay for berth holders.”

With equal attention to the needs of yacht crew, a brand-new Sète Marina Crew Clubhouse will be inaugurated mid to late autumn complete with a lounge, fitness centre, business centre, Wi-Fi and a rooftop terrace.

IGY Sète Marina is sure to become a development of major importance, fulfilling IGY’s goal to create a premier destination for superyachts planning to visit Spain as well as the French and Italian Rivieras.

For further information please refer to our brochure for IGY Sète Marina.