Puerto Colón Marina Gets First Major Rule Overhaul in 40 Years

Puerto Colón Marina in Adeje is set for big changes in how it's managed. This comes after Puertos Canarios recently approved new rules for the marina. It's the first major update in over 40 years, since the marina first opened. The aim is to modernize operations and tighten control over businesses and boat moorings in what is one of Tenerife's most important boating spots.

The new rules mean much closer supervision of businesses operating within the marina. From now on, any company or person wanting to offer tourist, commercial, or industrial services there must get clear permission from the marina's operator. This gives the marina management more power to make sure everyone follows the rules. It also aims to stop unauthorized activities, particularly in sea-based tourism like whale watching, which have been happening for some time without proper approval.

Adeje port is a major hub for sea tourism in the Canary Islands. It's home to 20 to 25 boats dedicated to whale watching, with around 290,000 passengers taking these trips each year. This makes it the main starting point for such excursions, not just in Tenerife but across the entire Canary Islands. While the new rules confirm the port is strictly for recreational use – meaning sports or leisure boats, except in emergencies – they introduce significant changes to its daily running.

Another key part of the new rules is how boat moorings will be managed. Boat owners must now tell the marina management when they won't be using their space. This allows the marina to temporarily assign these empty berths to other boats, making better use of the available space. Also, owners are now specifically forbidden from renting out their berths themselves; all such arrangements must go through the marina.

The new rules also bring tougher penalties for anyone who doesn't follow them. Not paying fees or breaking usage rules could lead to services being suspended, being denied access to the port, or even eviction and boats being seized. On an operational note, the rules state that the marina management will not be responsible for any damage, loss, or incidents that boats or goods might suffer within the port area. Owners will bear these risks themselves.

Puerto Colón S.A. will continue to manage the marina, overseen by Puertos Canarios. The company will appoint the marina's director, but this choice must be approved by Puertos Canarios.