The Portuguese island of Madeira is aiming to expand its capacity and is seeking European and North American investors for a planned superyacht marina project in Machico Bay. Under the proposal, investors would be offered a long-term concession to operate the marina after its construction.
Madeira currently has three marinas in Funchal, Calheta and Caniçal, with berth lengths of up to approximately 25 metres. The island does not have dedicated facilities for superyachts, with larger vessels currently using the Port of Funchal, which primarily serves trans-Atlantic cruise ships.
The project is planned beyond the existing Port of Machico, where a smaller facility would be expanded. Its location near Madeira International Airport, together with Madeira’s position on the route between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, is among the factors supporting the proposal.
Plans for the superyacht marina include a dock capable of accommodating two luxury vessels of up to 100 metres in length, alongside a 500-metre waterfront promenade.
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To support the development, project leaders are seeking between €50-70 million ($57-80 million USD) in investment from European entities. In exchange, the successful investor would be offered a concession to operate the marina for between 40-50 years after construction.
Submitted to the Machico City Council in June 2024, the proposal was followed by an announcement in December 2025 that the Madeira Ports Administration would study the construction of a marina for large yachts in Machico Bay. At the time, regional secretary for economy José Manuel Rodrigues said superyachts are a “market segment that is increasingly seeking Madeira, and which has high economic growth potential”.
Interested parties may contact Paulo Farinha at Funchal Maritima Yacht Agency for further information: paulofarinha@funchalmaritima.pt.
