As recently reported in the Financial Times, a worldwide shortage of superyacht berths has reached a critical point, with owners having to dock their yachts in unglamorous shipyards and industrial zones due to a lack of suitable slips.  

Growth in superyacht development is reportedly at almost 400% since 2000 and showing no signs of slowing down, meaning competition is fierce for owners looking for permanent ‘home berth’ locations. Leading Monaco-based yacht broker Splinter Fangman comments: “With more and more boats on the water, the supply imbalances are getting out of proportion.” 

Just a few months ago, Jeff Bezos’s new 127 metre superyacht Koru was unable to dock in Fort Lauderdale due to no berths being large enough, so instead had to take shelter in a nearby industrial zone, surrounded by shipping containers. Currently, there are a staggering seven superyachts for every one superyacht slip in the USA alone.  

This is all about to change however, with the hotly-anticipated arrival of Habacoa – a new superyacht marina in the pristine waters of South Abaco, The Bahamas, which is set to become North America’s largest and most comprehensive marina to date. Reimagining the traditional marina experience from essential functionality to ultra-luxury hospitality, the Habacoa marina will be the centrepiece of a new development, home to a world of luxurious facilities, residences and a five-star hotel. 

As yachts generally cruise for 10% of the year and spend the rest of the time docked, it is essential that their home berth is a safe harbour, as well as a desirable location. As noted in the FT article, “while major repairs happen in shipyards, a marina needs to be able to provide some technical services, and it also needs to provide a good place to hang out.” And this is exactly what Habacoa will deliver. 

Habacoa Superyacht Marina will feature 150 slips ranging from 18 metres to 200+ metres, complete with in-slip utilities and diesel refuelling, customs and immigration, a one-stop provisioning centre, a 200 unit dry stack facility, and much more.

Developed by globally renowned marina engineers Moffatt & Nichol, the marina is built to withstand a 1 in 100-year storm event. Year-round tranquillity is ensured as the 110-acre basin has been designed on the leeward side of the island, featuring a sizable breakwater. The location provides the utmost ease of access, with two nearby international airports and close proximity by sea and air to Florida and all of the Eastern US. It is just 185 miles east of Fort Lauderdale and 20 minutes by private jet from Miami.