Founded in 1918, SF Marina is a leading expert in marina design, renowned for its state-of-the-art floating breakwaters and concrete docks. The company has now taken its vision to the next level with Port Nimara, its first fully developed marina project on the idyllic island of Anguilla. The first of its kind on the island, this full-service superyacht marina promises to open up an exciting "cruising triangle" for guests visiting the neighbouring islands of St Martin and St Barths.
BOATPro sits down with David Mizrahi, CEO of SF Investments and managing partner of the development, to learn more about this exciting development slated for 2027 opening, with the hotel and residences opening in 2028 and 2029 respectively.
Why have you chosen Anguilla as your destination for a marina?
Actually, it wasn’t a snap decision, we’d been working with the island for over six years on a different development before we started this project, so we’d already built up a relationship with the Anguillan government which meant the process has been very smooth. What we love about the island is that it's a very attractive location, very secluded with an absence of big resorts. And the location of the marina, southwest of the island, is ideal – it sits between the renowned luxury resorts of Cap Juluca and Altamer Villas, so it's very convenient for visitors.
Would you say there is an overall lack of superyacht berths in the Caribbean?
Yes, definitely. The Caribbean has seen a rise in yacht traffic in recent years, and Anguilla presents a prime opportunity to meet that demand, as it currently lacks a marina.
Tell me what visitors can expect from Port Nimara...
Port Nimara will accommodate 118 vessels up to 73 metres. It will also feature a five-star hotel from a renowned New York luxury brand, private residences including 16-18 beachfront villas and 18 upland villas, up to 35 further residential units in future phases, a new Beaufort Yacht Club, a selection of restaurants, bars and shops and, of course, a comprehensive maintenance service and sophisticated security systems. Excavation work is now underway and a completion date is expected in 2027.
What will be Port Nimara’s USP?
We want to link the three islands of St Martin, St Barths and Anguilla together. While they are completely different jurisdictions – Dutch, French and British – they work very closely together and complement each other in their offering. St Martin is a more technical type of marina, good for refits and repairs. St Barths is more of a party location with a vibrant nightlife. Then there is Anguilla, the retreat island, a beautiful place to enjoy nature and rest and recharge. Port Nimara will allow yacht owners and guests to see different sides of the Caribbean, and with everything so close - Sint Maarten international airport is just 11 nautical miles away from Anguilla and St. Barths' Gustavia just 26 nautical miles away - it means we can draw on the other islands for things like advanced technical support if we need it.
And what else does Anguilla offer?
We’re calling Port Nimara a ‘lifestyle yachting destination’, as it will be focused on catering for guests with active lifestyles. Whether it’s hiking, tennis or golf on the 18-hole Greg Norman-designed course at the nearby [Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club], there’ll be something for everyone. And not forgetting sailing, which is the island’s national sport. It is not as developed as the other neighbouring countries, so we are helping develop that with local sailors.
Other facilities will also include a customs and immigration office opening in the marina, so yacht owners and guests can arrive at the island in comfort. And Anguilla's Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport has plans to extend its airfield to cater for private jets.
Will there be any long term berths available?
The marina is built on private land, so you can currently purchase your own berth outright. This is a rare opportunity in the Caribbean - berths are typically offered through concessions lasting 30 to 50 years, and they will decrease in value if sold mid-lease. Owning a private berth is therefore a strong investment as you can place it under marine management, rent it out and generate revenue when not in use.
How are you ensuring that the design of the marina fits into the local surroundings?
We’ve hired internationally-renowned architects Perkins and Will and are using the highest international environmental standards to continuously monitor the construction process, ensuring that we are not damaging the environment. Our goal is to create a world-class maritime destination that really respects Anguilla's natural beauty.
What expertise does SF Group bring to the project?
We are experts in floating concrete pontoon technology and along with Anguilla, currently have marina developments in Panama, the Red Sea and Peru. This project is being developed in joint venture with TEI Inc., a New York-based development group owned by Francis Greenburger, and Antillean Development LLC, an Anguilla-based developer under the lead of George A. Fraser.
Nimara is our first marina development and the most advanced in terms of progress underway. The idea of developing and investing by ourselves is that we believe that marinas should be intrinsic to the location. I am a keen sailor and I have a lot of experience using marinas, and I know what works and doesn’t work. Often, real estate developers come in who don't know the marine world and only develop a project from a real estate perspective. It may look nice, but it’s often just a parking lot for boats constructed from the cheapest materials.
Do you have any long-term goals for Port Nimara?
For us, the marina is an added value to the real estate and the real estate an added value to the marina. We want the marina to be an attraction; attract the owners, the customers, the visitors and the crews. We also want to involve the local community; invite locals to open small businesses there so the marina becomes a thriving hub.
Most importantly, we want to bring skills to an island which previously solely relied on tourism for an income, create technical jobs and encourage young people to come back to the island and stay after university. I believe that this is one of the most important responsibilities for Port Nimara.