Poole Quay and Cowes lead the coastal categories
Poole Quay Boat Haven won Coastal Marina of the Year for facilities with fewer than 250 berths, ahead of Emsworth Yacht Harbour and IGY St Kats. Cowes Yacht Haven won the category for marinas with more than 250 berths, with Mayflower Marina second and Jersey Marina third.
The awards were presented during the Southampton International Boat Show and are based around the experiences and votes of boaters. That gives the results a consumer perspective, although owners should still assess a marina against their own berth dimensions, access, tidal constraints, facilities and cruising area.
York Marina takes the inland award
York Marina was named Inland Marina of the Year, followed by Shepperton Marina and Overwater Marina. Inland berthing has different priorities from coastal marina use, including river levels, lock access, bridge clearance and the availability of fuel, winterisation and maintenance services suited to canal and river boats.
For owners choosing a home berth, an award can be a useful prompt to investigate a facility but should not replace a personal visit. Travel time from home, berth security, electricity, parking, lifting facilities and how the marina operates during poor weather often have more influence on day-to-day ownership than prestige alone.
Sustainability and marina teams were recognised separately
Parkstone Bay Marina won Sustainable Marina of the Year, with Emsworth Yacht Harbour highly commended. Shepperton Marina received the Marina Team of the Year award, while Harry Durrah of Emsworth Yacht Harbour was named Marina Employee of the Year.
These categories are relevant because the quality of a marina depends on more than pontoons and buildings. Helpful staff, sensible environmental practices, clear communication and reliable maintenance can make a significant difference when owners need assistance with weather, equipment failures, visitor berths or routine shore-side services.
International awards broaden the comparison
Ayla Marina won International Marina of the Year, while Marina de Vilamoura received the Superyacht Marina award. The international categories sit beyond the typical home-berth needs of many LBG readers, but they show the wider standards against which marina service and facilities are being compared.
For smaller leisure-boat owners, the practical lesson is to define priorities before choosing a berth rather than relying on a single ranking. Price, location, depth, shelter, access hours and nearby cruising grounds remain individual considerations, and the best marina for one owner may be inconvenient for another.
Official sources: www.britishmarine.co.uk.