A pioneering new marina development is underway in Anguilla, one that promises to reshape the yachting landscape of the Eastern Caribbean. At the heart of this ambitious project is David Mizrahi, CEO of SF Investments and managing partner of the Port Nimara Marina development. Marina World sat down with David to get an insight into the project’s structure, progress and its significance for the region.
Port Nimara is the first marina ever to be built in Anguilla and for Mizrahi, it’s a venture years in the making. “Together with SF Marina we started developing this idea several years ago when we cooperated in a development project in the Adriatic, where SF Marina was supplying the pontoons,” he explains. “That collaboration sparked a bigger idea which combined SF Marina’s technical expertise with investment and project development capabilities. And that’s how SF Investments and SF Marina Project Development came to life.”
Although SF Investments and SF Marina have common roots, the two companies operate with distinct but complementary roles. “SF Marina brings in all the know-how in marina construction, design and operations,” says Mizrahi. “SF Investments contributes its expertise in investment management and project delivery, implementing an integrated vision, and enters into joint ventures with local partners who hold concessions or land suitable for marina and waterfront real estate developments. SF Marina then performs the marina design and construction.”
One such venture is Port Nimara, a fully funded, multi-phase project that integrates a marina with real estate and hospitality elements. Developed in joint venture with TEI Inc., a New York based development group owned by Francis Greenburger, and Antillean Development LLC, an Anguillan-based developer under the lead of George A. Fraser, the project is designed to be a catalyst for sustainable growth. “The marina is already under construction,” confirms Mizrahi. “The first building components will include the Yacht Club, which will follow as part of the first real estate phase.”
But this is no ordinary marina project. Mizrahi is clear that Port Nimara was conceived as an integrated lifestyle destination. “We don’t see the marina as a parking lot for yachts. Instead, it’s a core component of a vibrant coastal environment, adding value to the surrounding real estate and vice versa. It’s about creating a place where people want to spend time, where there are restaurants, boutique shops, services and a real sense of community and lifestyle.”
Set in the pristine waters of Anguilla, the project stands apart from typical regional offerings, both in design and legal structure. Port Nimara is one of the very few marinas in the Caribbean offering freehold ownership of berths. “You can actually purchase a berth and receive a title,” says Mizrahi. “It’s a significant differentiator, particularly attractive to yacht owners who want certainty and long-term value over their mooring options.”
Berths of up to 65 metres are being offered, including one berth designed for yachts up to 240 feet (73 metres). Of the total 118 berths, not all will be available for sale, with smaller slips reserved for tenders. Mizrahi confirms that sales have begun, with considerable interest from buyers in the US, Europe and the wider Caribbean. “Some berths are already being reserved. It will be the first Marina in Anguilla and as such, it will be a catalysator for development and growth in the island.”
The strategic positioning of Port Nimara is also key to its appeal. “Right now, if you arrive in Anguilla on a superyacht, you have to moor offshore and tender in. There’s no berth,” he explains. “We’re changing that. And at the same time, Anguilla is a stone’s throw from St Martin, which has a strong technical marine industry base and St Barthélemy, the high-end party destination. Anguilla, by contrast, is known for its serenity, its barefoot luxury. It’s the ‘body and soul’ of the region.”
With this in mind, the Port Nimara masterplan includes not only the marina and hotel, but also beach villas and further residential developments to follow in later phases, with the first-phase completion expected around 2029. The project is being built by Consigli Construction, a fifth-generation US-based contractor with a strong track record in Caribbean resort construction. Mizrahi says regional subcontractors are also involved, guided by SF Marina’s technical oversight.
While the precise pricing of berths is confidential, Mizrahi confirms that the berths are priced competitively within the Caribbean market and come with options for rental management via the marina. “Owners can earn revenue by allowing the marina to rent their berth when they’re not using it. It’s a model that works well in other parts of the world, but it’s still rare here.”
Far from being a passive space, the marina is envisioned as a dynamic hub for marine activity. “We’re planning sailing races, sportfishing competitions and water sports events. It’s an active destination, not just a place to dock and disappear into your suite.”
An announcement regarding the marina’s future operations partner is expected in due course, although Mizrahi is not yet naming names. “We’re already running the operations planning, but we’re keeping that under wraps for now.”
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Asked about his long-term outlook for the project and whether there’s an eventual exit strategy in place, Mizrahi remains pragmatic. “As investors, we always consider long-term value creation and strategic partnerships. But for now, we’re focused on delivering a first-class product.”
According to the SF Group, Port Nimara is anticipated to generate 200 direct jobs and roughly 500 additional jobs in the hospitality, maritime, retail and support sectors. SF Marina will perform all design and construction for all marina parts and components. "Our goal is to create a world-class maritime destination that respects Anguilla’s natural beauty while propelling the island into a new era of economic opportunity,” concluded Mizrahi.
Ultimately, Port Nimara represents something rare: a new superyacht-ready marina in a largely untapped luxury market, shaped by regional context and a visionary, integrated development approach. For Anguilla, it’s a milestone. For the yachting world, it’s a fresh destination on the Caribbean map, designed for those seeking more than just a place to dock.
This article was originally published in issue 149 of Marina World magazine. Click here to read the online version.
