Full Description & Details
Puerto Deportivo El Puntal is a small yacht club marina on the Ria de Villaviciosa in Asturias, Spain, set about 0.9 miles upriver from the bay's entrance bar. The basin sits at El Puntal, in the parish of San Martin del Mar, roughly 7 km from the town of Villaviciosa. It is a fixed-mooring facility run by Club Nautico El Puntal, with 158 berths and a separate area of 9 anchor moorings, and a maximum stated length of 8 metres.
The marina is very sheltered and safe, protected from sea conditions within the river, though the basin is shallow. Depths range from about 1 m to 3 m, with a reported basin draught of 1.2 m and an entrance draught of 3 m. The entrance channel is roughly 70 m wide, and the marina itself is reached by a non-official channel marked with green buoys. Holding is not the primary option here; the marina uses fixed and anchor moorings, with bottom depths around 1 m at low tide, so waiting for the tide is often necessary to enter or leave.
Facilities at the marina include water at the moorings, mooring lights, a yacht club, parking, a first aid kit, rubbish collection, collection of oil and hazardous waste, a dry dock and launching ramp, a pressure washer, and offices. Electricity and water are available at the pontoons. There are no shops or restaurants at the marina itself; provisions require a trip to the town of Villaviciosa, 7 km away, or to the village of Tazones nearby. Public transport service is mentioned as available.
Safety requires care with the bar and the shallow entrance: the bar channel is about 60 m wide and can develop surf, especially as Rodiles Beach is a known surf spot. The east breakwater wall, extending 1,500 m, is not marked, and entering at night without daylight requires full attention. The bar can be approached with all winds except from the SE to S through to WSW; currents at spring can reach 3 knots. The marina monitors VHF Ch9, though it may not always be listened continuously. The best season follows local conditions; given the shallow basin, plan entry and exit around high water.
How to get there
From the sea, the entrance to the Ria de Villaviciosa lies between Rodiles Beach and Punta de la Barra. Approaching from the east, Cabo Lastres and then the village of Tazones show the way; from the west, Punta del Olivo and the Tazones lighthouse lead toward Rodiles beach. The bar channel is about 60 m wide, with sandy bottom on the Rodiles side and stone on the west side.
Depth in the middle of the bar is 1 to 2 m at low water springs, rising to 4 to 5 m at high water, and the current reaches 3 knots at the springs. There is no official buoying on the east training wall that recurs off Rodiles, so enter only during daylight with care. The marina channel is marked by non-official green buoys; call the port on VHF Chl 9, though they may not always be listening, and approach from the river to the port at El Puntal.
Once on shore, the marina is accessed by road VV5, about 7 km from Villaviciosa, town of San Maria del Mar, near Tazones. The nearest airport is far, and no scheduled ferry is described; road access via Asturias is the practical option. There is no docking for vessels needing more than 1.2 m draft at low water, so plan to wait for the tide for both entry and exit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many berths are there at Puerto Deportivo EL Puntal and what is the maximum boat length?
The marina has 158 fixed moorings plus 9 anchor moorings, with a maximum boat length of 8 metres.
What is the draft limit at Puerto Deportivo El Puntal?
The basin depth is about 1.2 metres and the entrance draught is 3 metres, with depths ranging from about 1 metre to 3 metres overall.
How do I contact Puerto Deportivo El Puntal by VHF or phone?
Puerto Deportivo El Puntal listens on VHF channel 9, though not continuously; the phone is +34 699 91 06 00 and email is [email protected].
Does Puerto Deportivo El Puntal have fuel or just water and electricity?
There is no fuel dock mentioned at El Puntal; the marina provides water and electricity at the moorings, including water at the anchor. Fuel is not listed among the facilities.
If I moor at PuertoDeportivo El Puntal, where can I find shops or restaurants?
There are no shops or restaurants at the marina itself; the town of Villaviciosa is about 7 km away and the nearby village of Tazones is another option.
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