Bilbao

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WorldNorth AtlanticSpainNW SpainBilbao
Bilbao
Port of Entry
43°21.970'N, 003°02.906'W Chart icon.png
lat=43.36616 | lon=-3.04843 | zoom=12 | y
Bilbao.jpg
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Casca Viejo (old town) of Bilbao

Bilbao, the capital of the Basque region of NW Spain, is Spain’s fifth largest city, with a population of 360,000 in the municipality and over 950,000 in the greater Bilbao area. Founded in 1300 on the banks of the Nervion river, the settlement became the most important port in northern Spain during the heyday of the Spanish empire from the 15th to the 19th centuries. During the twentieth century, the city witnessed a dramatic influx from poorer regions of Spain to fuel its rapidly growing heavy industries. Today, Bilbao is an important international ferry port and a tourism destination in its own right, with major attractions such as the Casca Viejo (old town) and the world-famous Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art. The city’s excellent transport links (which include an airport and good rail links) and its huge harbour with its three marinas make Bilbao a useful destination for yachts heading down across Biscay from the French coast as well as a handy stopping off point for yachts cruising the north coast of Spain.

Charts

British Admiralty
1147 - Approaches to Bilbao
1173 - Bilbao
Imray
C42 - La Rochelle to Santander

Weather

Give local weather conditions or refer to another page (a region or island group) that covers these conditions.

Sources for Weather forecasts: See Spain.

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

None.

Communication

Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

No problems with the approach, but keep a careful watch for ferries entering or leaving from the ferry terminal at Santurtzi. The marinas are nearly four miles from the entrance. Getxo Marina being the first to port, the new and as yet uncompleted Santurtzi Leisure Marina about 500 metres further on to starboard (just past the ferry terminal), and the Real Club a further mile on to port just as the harbour narrows and becomes the canalised river.

Entrance

Bilbao is a port of entry for Spain. For details see Entrance: Spain.

Berthing

Yachts do not enter the large commercial/ferry port but go to one of the marinas.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Getxo Marina

Getxo Marina/wiki/Bilbao#Getxo_Marina
Marina icon Getxo Marina [[Bilbao#Getxo Marina|Getxo Marina]] 43°20.276'N, 003°00.974'W
Port of Entry

It has a total of 824 berths for yachts up 18 metres in depths up to 5.0 metres. Yachts berth where directed on long pontoons. Water and electricity at all berths. Fuel pontoon. Chandlery. Laundry. Travel lift (45T). Crane (5T). Large area of hard standing. Around the marina are several restaurants and bars, shops and a multiplex cinema. The staff here are very helpful and flexible on berthing fees, offering disounts for cash payments.

[email protected] M. [email protected]; Tel: +34 (94) 491 2367; Fax: +34 (94) 491 1818; VHF channel 09
Address: Muelle Arriluce, s/n 48990 Neguri-Ggetxo, Bilbao, Sapin

Real Club Maritimo del Abra

Real Club Maritimo del Abra/wiki/Bilbao#Real_Club_Maritimo_del_Abra
Marina icon Real Club Maritimo del Abra [[Bilbao#Real Club Maritimo del Abra|Real Club Maritimo del Abra]] 43°19.755'N, 003°01.003'W
Port of Entry

It is situated in the suburb of Las Arenas and has a total of around 300 berths for yachts up 18 metres in depths up to 3.0 metres. Water and electricity at all berths. The marina has a smart clubhouse with pool, toilets, showers, restaurant, and bar. Laundry. Fuel station. WiFi. Boatyard. Crane (2T) and travel lift (35T). A small area of hard standing. The marina is poorly organized, difficult to contact by VHF and the allocated berth may be changed several times during a visit.

[email protected]; Tel: +34 (94) 463 7600; Fax: +34 (94) 463 8061; VHF channel 09

Santurtzi Leisure Marina

Santurtzi Leisure Marina/wiki/Bilbao#Santurtzi_Leisure_Marina
Marina icon Santurtzi Leisure Marina [[Bilbao#Santurtzi Leisure Marina|Santurtzi Leisure Marina]] 43°19.780'N, 003°01.660'W
Port of Entry

It is a relatively new marina on the west side of the harbour just beyond the ferry berth. The marina has a total of around 700 berths for smaller yachts up to 12.0 metres and is run by the local authority. Visiting yachts up to 30m may stay for free for a maximum of two nights. Water and Electricity. It must be pre booked 48 hours in advance.

[email protected]; Tel: +34 (944) 839 494; Fax: +XX (XXX) XXXXXX; VHF channel 09

Anchorages

The best anchorage is at the SE corner of the inner harbour, between the two marinas. Anchor in 3.0 - 4.0 metres. Bottom is sand and mud and reasonable holding. Gusts can be experienced in strong winds, so ensure your anchor is well dug - many yachts have reported dragging here!

Amenities

Facilities
Water In Getxo Marina, Real Club, and Santurtzi Leisure Marina
Electricity In Getxo Marina, Real Club, and Santurtzi Leisure Marina
Toilets In Getxo Marina, Real Club, and Santurtzi Leisure Marina
Showers In Getxo Marina, Real Club, and Santurtzi Leisure Marina
Laundry In Getxo Marina, Real Club
Garbage Bins in the marinas
Supplies
Fuel Fuel station in Getxo Marina, Real Club
Bottled gas ?
Chandlers In Getxo Marina
Services
Repairs All mechanical, electrical and electronic repairs can be undertaken in the large boatyard of Getxo Marina. The yard has 3900 square metres of hardstanding
Internet WiFi in Real Club
Mobile connectivity ?
Vehicle rentals Several rental outlets in the city

Provisioning

Several supermarkets and other provisions in the suburb of Las Arenas.

Eating out

A wide range of choices around the marinas and in the clubhouse of the Club Maritimo del Abra.

Transportation

  • Bilbao Airport serves the city and it is the busiest terminal in the Basque Country and in the entire Northern coast
  • The metro rail has 3 lines that connect both banks of the Bilbao Metropolitan Area


Tourism

The marinas of Getxo and Club Maritimo del Abra are about 10 minutes from the nearest metro station. From there, it is a 15-20 minute journey into the centre of Bilbao. Although there is not a lot of historic value in the centre in architectural terms, the Casca Viejo (old town) is worth strolling through, with its narrow streets and arcaded Plaza Nueva.

An absolute must is the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, whose dramatic titanium-clad curves have made it one of the most photographed buildings in Spain. Also worth a visit is the unusual Puente Colgante, an iron bridge with a moving platform that crosses the River Nervion, which is now an important heritage site.

The famous Guggenheim museum
The celebrated Puppy art installation by Jeff Koons

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

References

See Spain.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

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Names: Athene of Lymington


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