The short answer: there are three sensible ways to spend the winter with a yacht in Mallorca. You can keep her in a marina berth with someone checking her regularly, you can take her out of the water into covered storage, or you can use the quiet months for a refit. The right choice depends on the size of the boat, how long you will be away and what work she needs. This guide compares the main winter marinas in Mallorca, explains what winterisation and gardiennage actually include, and shows how to plan the season so that the boat is ready when you come back.
In this guide
- Why winter berthing in Mallorca makes sense
- Three ways to spend the winter
- What to look for in a winter marina
- Comparing the winter marinas in Mallorca
- What winterisation includes
- What gardiennage adds in the water
- Costs and timing
- Checklist before you leave the boat
- Frequently asked questions
Why winter berthing in Mallorca makes sense
Mallorca is one of the most practical places in the Mediterranean to leave a yacht for the off-season. Winters are mild, the nautical infrastructure is strong and the technical services are close at hand. But winter berthing is not just about finding a place to tie up. It is about protecting an investment. Storms, salt, damp and weeks without anyone on board lead to corrosion, mould, flat batteries and repairs that could have been avoided.
A good winter plan gives you:
- Protection from storms and sun on the gelcoat and canvas.
- Regular checks of the systems that fail first when a boat is idle: batteries, bilge pumps, shore power and ventilation.
- Easy access to engineers, yards and suppliers for any work you want done while the boat is quiet.
- Peace of mind that someone is watching the boat and will tell you if something changes.
Three ways to spend the winter
Before choosing a marina, decide which of these three approaches suits the boat. They are not exclusive, and many owners combine them from one winter to the next.
| In a marina berth with gardiennage | Ashore in indoor storage | Winter refit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Owners who may visit during the winter or who want the boat ready at short notice | Boats up to 18 metres that will not be used for months | Boats that need a major job, from paint to systems upgrades |
| What happens | The boat stays in the water. Engineers and cleaners visit on a schedule, check the boat and send you a report | The boat is collected, lifted out, pressure-washed and stored under cover on cradles | The boat goes ashore and the work is planned, quoted and approved before anything starts |
| Main advantage | Flexible and close to the sea | No weather damage, no growth on the hull, less damp inside | Work is done without losing a season of use |
| Main limit | The boat is still exposed to storms and a marina berth has a cost every month | Indoor space is limited and fills up early | Needs time and a clear scope of work |
If you are leaning towards storage, read our page on indoor winter storage in Mallorca. If you prefer to keep the boat in the water, see our boat gardiennage service. For major work, our yacht refit service explains how projects are organised.
What to look for in a winter marina
Before you commit to a winter berth, ask the marina these questions.
- Location. Is it close to Palma or the airport for your own travel, and close to your engineers and your yard?
- Security. Is there 24-hour monitoring and controlled access to the pontoons? Who responds in the middle of the night?
- Shelter. How protected is the berth in a southwest or northeast storm, and what is the marina’s storm protocol?
- Maintenance access. Can work be done on the yacht while she is berthed, and can your own contractors come in?
- Services. Water and shore power on the berth, lift-in and lift-out, and secure dry storage for equipment.
- Atmosphere. Quiet, social or mixed. It matters if you plan to visit.
- Pricing and conditions. Seasonal rates, what is charged on top, notice periods and what happens if you need to leave early.
Comparing the winter marinas in Mallorca
The table gives a quick overview. Rates, availability and services change from one season to the next, so confirm them directly with the marina before you decide. PSB Marine has its technical bases in Puerto Portals and Santa Ponsa and looks after boats in several of these marinas.
| Marina | Area | Best for | Why owners choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| STP Shipyard Palma | Palma | Refit and winter maintenance | Access to top-tier marine professionals and services |
| Port of Palma and Club de Mar | Palma | Owners who want the city, airport and services close | Central location with a wide range of suppliers |
| Port Adriano | Southwest, Calvià | Superyachts looking for privacy and amenities | Quiet in winter, with strong infrastructure and security |
| Puerto Portals | Calvià | Owners who like a social, luxury setting | Open all year, with shops, restaurants and premium berths |
| Puerto de Andratx | West | Owners based in the southwest of the island | Sheltered harbour close to the western coast |
| Alcudiamar | Alcúdia, northeast | A balance between price and service | Calm waters, competitive rates and winter-ready facilities |
| Port de Pollença | North | Sailing yachts and low-key owners | Well-protected bay, less crowded and peaceful |
| Portocolom and Porto Cristo | East | Traditional, quiet mooring | Scenic, authentic and generally more affordable berths |
How to read the comparison
For refit and technical work, choose the area where your engineers and yard are. Our yard in Son Bugadellas, Santa Ponsa, is a short run from the Port of Palma, Puerto Portals, Port Adriano and Puerto de Andratx, which is why collecting and returning boats takes so little time. For visiting, Palma and Puerto Portals are the easiest to reach, and Puerto Portals stays open and lively in winter. For quiet and value, the north and east of the island offer calmer surroundings and, in general, lower prices, but they are further from the main technical services, so the cost of a visit by an engineer should be part of your decision.
Whichever marina you choose, remember that a berth only provides a place and basic services. Someone still has to look after the boat. That is the difference between a winter berth and a winter plan.
What winterisation includes
Winterising means preparing the boat so that months of inactivity do no harm. In practice it means draining the water system, protecting engines and batteries, checking the antifouling and making sure everything is closed, secured and ventilated before the bad weather arrives.
When PSB Marine stores a boat in our indoor storage, the service includes:
- Collection of the boat from her berth by our own skipper.
- Transport to the boatyard, lift-out and pressure wash.
- Indoor storage on cradles suited to the size of the hull.
- Preparation for the winter: engines flushed, cushions stored, boat closed and ventilated.
- A check of the boat and a written list of any work she needs.
- Launch and delivery back to her berth on the day you ask for, with the boat cleaned.
While the boat is ashore it is also the best moment for other jobs without paying for a second lift: antifouling and anodes, electrical maintenance, teak decking, stabilisers, engine servicing and other engineering work. Nothing is done until you approve the quotation. For tips on timing and preparation, read our articles on the best time to winterise a yacht, common winterisation mistakes and protecting a yacht from humidity.
What gardiennage adds in the water
Gardiennage is the French term for looking after a boat whose owner is not on the island. If your boat stays in the marina, it is the service that turns a berth into a plan. Our engineers and cleaners visit on a regular schedule, usually from weekly to bi-weekly, and we add extra checks after storm warnings.
- Hull, mooring lines and fenders.
- Shore power connection and battery levels.
- Engines and generator, run up to working temperature.
- Bilges and all electrical pumps.
- Interior ventilation, to keep damp and mould away.
- Exterior, interior, tenders and covers.
After each visit you receive a report by email or WhatsApp with the checklist and fresh photos and videos. If we find a problem, such as a failing battery, a leak or a pump that will not start, we tell you straight away, explain the options and only go ahead once you approve the work. We look after boats in Port of Palma, Marina Palma Cuarentenaria, Club de Mar, Port Adriano, Puerto de Andratx and Puerto Portals. See the full details on our boat gardiennage page.
Costs and timing
What a winter berth costs
Costs vary with the length of the boat, the marina and the services. As an indicative guide (confirm the current figures with each marina):
- 8 to 10 metre yachts: €120 to €250 per month.
- 10 to 15 metre yachts: €250 to €550 per month.
- Yachts over 15 metres: €600 to €1,200 per month.
Expect to pay separately for electricity and water, for haul-out and relaunch if they apply, and for winterisation services. Storage ashore and gardiennage are priced according to the boat and the programme you choose, so the most reliable way to compare is to ask for a written quotation for each option.
When to plan
The winter season starts in October, and indoor space in Mallorca is limited. In most years our storage fills up during late August and September, so the sooner you reserve a place, the better. A simple calendar looks like this:
- Late summer: decide between berth, storage or refit, and request quotations.
- September and early October: confirm the booking, agree the list of work and arrange the date of collection.
- October: the boat is prepared for the winter, either in her berth or ashore.
- Winter: regular checks and reports, or the refit work you have approved.
- Spring: tell us the date you want the boat back and she will be in the water, cleaned and ready.
Checklist before you leave the boat
- Have you chosen between berth, storage and refit, and asked for written quotations?
- Is someone responsible for visiting the boat, and do you know how often?
- Do you know who to call if the marina warns of a storm?
- Are the water system, engines and batteries prepared for the winter?
- Are cushions, soft furnishings and valuables stored or removed?
- Does the insurer know where the boat will be and what conditions apply?
- Have you agreed who can approve repairs while you are away?
For more ideas on how to use the quiet months, see our article on upgrades to consider during winter berthing, and our guide to battery maintenance during storage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best marina in Mallorca for winter berthing?
There is no single best marina. Puerto Portals and Port Adriano suit owners who want facilities and security close to our bases, Palma is best for access and technical services, and Alcudiamar, Port de Pollença, Portocolom and Porto Cristo offer quieter and generally more affordable berths. The best choice depends on where you and your engineers are based.
Is it better to keep my yacht in the water or in storage over winter?
Keeping her ashore under cover protects the boat from storms, sun and growth on the hull, and reduces damp inside. Keeping her in the water is more flexible if you plan to use or visit the boat. A boat in the water should have regular checks. For boats not used for months, indoor storage is usually the better protection.
How often should a yacht be checked in winter?
Visits usually run from weekly to bi-weekly, with extra checks after storm warnings. The frequency should depend on how often you use the boat and how exposed the berth is.
What is included in winter storage with PSB Marine?
Collection from the berth by our skipper, transport to the yard, lift-out and pressure wash, indoor storage on cradles, winter preparation, a check with a written list of work, and launch and delivery back to the berth on the day you ask for, cleaned.
How much does winter berthing in Mallorca cost?
As a guide, between €120 and €250 per month for 8 to 10 metre yachts, between €250 and €550 for 10 to 15 metres, and between €600 and €1,200 for boats over 15 metres, plus electricity, water and any haul-out. Confirm the current rates with each marina.
When should I book winter storage?
As early as possible. The season starts in October, and in most years our indoor space fills during late August and September.
Can I do refit work while the boat is on winter berth or in storage?
Yes. The quiet months are the best time for it, and while the boat is ashore you avoid paying for a second lift. Our engineers check the boat, tell you what she needs and quote for it, and nothing is done until you approve it.
Plan your winter with PSB Marine
We are a family company with more than 30 years of experience looking after yachts in Mallorca, with bases in Puerto Portals and Santa Ponsa. Tell us the length of your boat, where she is berthed and when you want her back, and we will help you choose between a winter berth with gardiennage and covered storage.
- Winter storage in Mallorca: indoor storage, collection, lift and launch.
- Boat gardiennage in Mallorca: regular checks and reports while you are away.
Write to info@psb-marine.com, call 971 234 522, or use our contact page or request a quote.
