The small town of Aprilia Marittima on the northern Adriatic coast, near the famous Italian seaside resort of Lignano Sabbiadoro, lies between Venice and Trieste in the Marano lagoon. It is known for its maritime concept with marinas and small canals lined with integrated holiday homes and private moorings.
With its central harbor, the Darsena Centrale, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the development and expansion of this unique nautical center on the Adriatic began, to which the Marina Capo Nord and the Marina Punta Gabbiani. With over 2,500 berths, it has become a new home for many boat owners from Austria and southern Germany, especially as many of the small terraced houses next to the park also have a berth right outside the door or on the terrace.
Unlike comparable facilities, such as the luxurious Port Grimaud on the French Côte d’Azur, real estate and moorings are still affordable here, although some of the facilities are showing their age and in need of renovation. The manageable journey of four to six hours by car and the strategically favorable location attract many permanent residents, for whom it is also a beloved port of departure for trips to Istria and Croatia with its beautiful coastline and islands.
However, the journey there should not be underestimated, especially for sailors who have to take the tides into account in addition to the draft. For some, the route is a tedious extra effort, for others it is the first few hours of relaxation on the boat: first the four nautical miles from the mooring via the Dalbenstraße through the lagoon and then towards Slovenia/Croatia.
There’s no question that it takes a while to finally reach Dalmatia: 25 nautical miles after Umag or 67 nautical miles to the southern tip of Istria in the Kvarner region, for example. But there in Croatia, in one of the most beautiful water sports areas in the Mediterranean, mooring prices have become notoriously expensive over the years and are on average up to 35% higher than in northern Italy. The extra time can definitely be worth it, especially if you use the crossing time wisely to (re)familiarize yourself with the boat and the crew.
Aprilia Marittima – Three marinas, one concept, and many berths
All three marinas share a common channel to the open Adriatic Sea, but the dolphin road across the lagoon’s nature reserve tends to silt up and dredgers are in constant use; the tide calendar is therefore essential information and sailing in the dark should be left to boat owners who are familiar with the area.
The Darsena Centrale (680 berths) is also home to the Cantieri di Aprilia Marittima shipyard (which has a few berths and 200 dry berths/winter storage spaces) with all the technical facilities you need. The marina has a good reputation thanks to its connection with the shipyard.
The water at Marina Capo Nord (650 berths) suffers most from the unfavorable current conditions, while Marina Punta Gabbiani (300 berths + large dry marina with high jetties) makes a very well-maintained impression and, thanks to its location, does its own thing.
All services for boats and yachts, including a fuel station, are available on site at Aprilia Marittima, and several agencies that have been based here for decades are on hand to help with any questions or problems, large or small, and can even arrange really affordable private berths. And, of course, SeaHelp also has a base there in a central location!
Lignano Sabbiadoro – From Lignano to Istria: Between lagoon idyll and open waters
If the limited selection of bars and restaurants in “the Aprilia” is not enough for you (and you don’t always want to eat at the excellent Ristorante Casa Ippolito), can drive to the seaside resort of Lignano Sabbiadoro, just a few kilometers away, with its 8-kilometer-long sandy beach.
There, on the eastern outskirts of the town, right next to the lagoon entrance/exit, you will find the Marina Punta Faro (D-Marin) and next to it the Darsena Porto Vecchio are located on the eastern outskirts of the city, right next to the lagoon entrance/exit. The fishing port, which over the years has become an interesting alternative for moorings thanks to its location in the city, can be booked through the company Offshore Unimar.
The family business itself is based in the Marina Uno at the other end of Lignano in the Tagliamento estuary (fresh water!) and operates a widely acclaimed service center for all types of boat work. Speaking of fresh water, two nautical miles upriver, in the idyllic green surroundings of the Tagliamento, lies the small, absolutely peaceful Marina Punta Verde.
And the small Marina Stella on the river of the same name, which flows from the north into the Marano lagoon, is an absolute gem in the otherwise wild and romantic nature reserves of the region, which, with a total of over 5,000 moorings, has the largest number of moorings on the entire Adriatic coast.
Conclusion: With the range of marinas and berths on offer, there is something for everyone. The journey here is easy and convenient, including via the two international airports in Venice (60 minutes by car) and Trieste (45 minutes by car).
If you don’t mind dolphinades and sandbanks and are not afraid of the “crossing” to Istria, you will definitely find a good and safe location for your boat or yacht in Aprilia Marittima or the surrounding area.
