Vilamoura Named 2026 Superyacht Marina of the Year
By Stephen Yardley · Edited by Stephen Yardley
Image: British Marine / TYHA
Marina de Vilamoura took the superyacht category in the 2026 TYHA Marina Awards, announced at Southampton, while Ayla Marina won the international honour.
Marina de Vilamoura has been named Superyacht Marina of the Year in the 2026 Yacht Harbour Association awards. The results were announced at the Southampton International Boat Show on 23 September and published by British Marine on 25 September, giving the Portuguese marina a clear distinction within the dedicated large-yacht category.
The superyacht result places Vilamoura ahead of runner-up Yalikavak Marina and third-placed YAS Marina. Those are category results rather than a ranking of every marina worldwide, and the award reflects the participating awards programme and its voting process.
Ayla Marina took the International Marina of the Year award, with Marina de Vilamoura's Nova Marina listed as runner-up and Setur Antalya third. The outcome puts two Vilamoura facilities into the international and superyacht portions of the same year's awards, but the two category titles should not be confused.
On the UK coastal side, Poole Quay Boat Haven won the under-250-berth category and Cowes Yacht Haven won the larger-marina category. York Marina received the inland award, demonstrating how the programme spans different vessel sizes and boating settings.
The association also highlighted the staff who keep facilities working beyond the publicity of an awards ceremony. Harry Durrah of Emsworth Yacht Harbour received Marina Employee of the Year, while the Shepperton Marina team received the team prize and Dubai Harbour Marina earned special recognition.
Parkstone Bay Marina was named Sustainable Marina of the Year, with Emsworth Yacht Harbour highly commended. For a superyacht captain or owner, such distinctions may prompt closer examination of shoreside services, team responsiveness and local operating arrangements before a visit.
Awards are a useful signal, not a substitute for checking berth availability, vessel dimensions, draft, security and operational requirements directly with a marina. The Algarve offers a different stop from the Western Mediterranean hubs, and a passage plan should consider the yacht's route rather than an award alone.
British Marine says the awards begin with boaters' experiences and comments, with the Southampton ceremony recognising eight categories. Superyacht Guide will keep the distinction between the official category result and broader promotional descriptions clear in its marina coverage.
Explore
Go deeper into the yachts, companies, events and destinations directly connected to this article.
Continue reading
Marine Match has launched a UK marketplace connecting owners with verified marine trades across engineering, coatings, rigging, surveys and transport.
Solent-based PSA Prime Marine has expanded from yacht maintenance and delivery support into owner and guest concierge services across the UK and Europe.
Jack Hayden received British Marine's 2026 Apprentice of the Year award as more than 70 apprentices from major UK marine businesses were recognised.
Wave International has highlighted bilge water, wash-down and maintenance contaminants in a Southampton Boat Show discussion of everyday boating pollution.
Superyacht Guide
Continue into the wider Superyacht Guide.