Full Description & Details
Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia, known locally as La Gallarda, sits inside the Butron river estuary in the Basque town of Plentzia. The marina occupies a one-hectare basin in a meander on the eastern bank of the ria, protected from the sand carried by the Butron by two small marked breakwaters. It began as a commercial port, later hosted fishing activity, and now operates mainly as a recreational marina. The entrance faces north, and the tidal range reaches 4.5 metres.
The basin holds 149 berths on two pontoon lines plus a perimeter pontoon. Maximum length is 8 metres and maximum draft is 2 metres, with depths in the basin ranging from 1.5 to 2 metres. The access channel has a depth of 1.5 metres and the entrance is 25 metres wide. The bar at the entrance is dangerous, and the port is exposed to northerly and north-westerly weather. Holding is not an option inside the marina, but many small craft anchor throughout the ria. The marina reports full occupancy and reserves no transit berths, so overnight stays are restricted.
Onshore facilities include water and electricity at the pontoons, a 20-tonne boat trailer, a ramp, a 5 or 6-tonne crane, and rubbish collection. The town of Plentzia is immediately adjacent, with supermarkets, restaurants, a pharmacy and a medical practice. The marina office is at Arraun Kalea 2, and the phone number is +34 944 361 706. The Basque Government has renewed the pontoon decking almost entirely, with the last section completed before the end of the year.
The shallow, sandy channel makes navigation difficult, and the Basque Government has studied modifying the final stretch of the ria to improve depth. The buoys marking the navigation channel are being realigned. Given the dangerous entrance bar, the 4.5-metre tide and the lack of transit berths, call the marina on VHF channels 16, 10 or 74 before attempting entry. The nearest alternative is to anchor in the ria throughout.
How to get there
Approach Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia from the north, entering the Butron estuary through a 25-metre-wide entrance with a dangerous bar. The access channel carries 1.5 metres of water and the entrance depth at lowest astronomical tide is 2 metres, so time your arrival for high water. The channel is marked by buoys that have been realigned to guide vessels toward the deeper water.
Contact the marina on VHF channels 16, 10 or 74 for berth availability before entering, since no transit berths are reserved. The marina lies within the town of Plentzia, so the village, its beach and the Butron river estuary are immediately on hand. The nearest major port is Bilbao, about 8.3 nautical miles away, with Armintza 4.5 miles to the west.
The marina office is at Arraun Kalea 2 in Plentzia, and the town is reached directly by road from the surrounding Basque coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum length and draft for a boat at Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia?
Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia accepts boats up to 8 metres in length with a maximum draft of 2 metres. Depths in the basin range from 1.5 to 2 metres.
Does Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia have berths available for transit boats?
Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia reserves no transit berths and reports full occupancy, so overnight stays are restricted. Contact the marina on VHF 16, 10 or 74 to check for any availability.
What facilities are available at Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia?
Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia offers water and electricity at the pontoons, a 20-tonne boat trailer, a ramp, a crane, and rubbish collection. The adjacent town has supermarkets, restaurants, a pharmacy and a medical practice.
What is the depth of the access channel at Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia?
The access channel to Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia has a depth of 1.5 metres, and the entrance bar is dangerous. The tidal range is 4.5 metres, so plan entry for high water.
Can I anchor near Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia instead of taking a berth?
Yes, anchoring is possible throughout the ria near Puerto Deportivo de Plentzia, and many small craft do so. The marina itself has no transit berths, so anchoring may be the only option for visitors.
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