Mackerel Rock at Marina del Este
Just a few miles to the east of Maro and Nerja, situated between the towns of La Herradura and Almuñecar lies one of the few marinas along the southern coastline of Spain, Marina del Este.
The Marina (also known as Puerto Deportivo Punta de la Mona) was developed in the 1980s around a large natural rock formation known as Peñón de las Caballas (Mackerel Rock) and features a small attractive harbour protected by the pine-clad promontory of the Punta de la Mona.
Google Earth view of the Marina
Located in a privileged setting where the peaks of the Sierra de Almijara finally slope into the sea, this area is known for the exceptional quality of its seabed, immersed within the Parque Natural de los Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo (a Natural and Marine Reserve) which has been declared of important ecological value by UNESCO.
The Reserve follows a narrow twelve kilometre coastal strip and extends into the Alboran Sea (covering 395 land and 1,415 sea hectares), spanning the provinces of Málaga and Granada.
A ban on fishing within the Marine Reserve provides the perfect place for snorkelling and scuba-diving in the crystal-clear waters.
View across La Herradura Bay
How to get to Marina del Este
Do yourself a favour and take the old N-340 coastal road from Nerja to the Marina (rather than the motorway) for the spectacular views across the horseshoe-shaped bay of La Herradura whilst passing the unique and dramatic coastline created by the steep cliffs (acantilados) along the way. If you have time, you might consider calling in at one of the few sheltered coves between the soaring cliffs, where you will need to take a staircase or steep track down to the beach.
As you might expect, Marina del Este is not directly off the road and can be a bit tricky to find by car. To access it you need to turn off the N-340 just after Km 309 (signed for Pto. Deportivo Marina del Este) and bear right into the Punta de la Mona urbanisation. Follow the road downhill until you see a sign ahead pointing left towards the Marina. Turn left here past the 4* Hotel Best Alcazar and continue down the hill all the way to the bottom, where there is a free car park.
If all the free parking spots are taken, there is an official car park to the right of the entrance of the Marina, where it costs just €3.50 to park for 24 hours.
Entrance to Marina del Este
As you enter the Marina, turn to the right just past the barrier and follow the promenade towards Mackerel Rock, past all the beautiful boats.
I usually bring a loaf of bread with me to feed to the fishes here. They are always so hungry and entertaining, as they climb over one another to get to the food!
Feeding frenzy
Once you’ve walked past Mackerel Rock there are some steps up onto the harbour wall, which is a great place for “watching the ships roll in, and then watch ’em roll away again”.
As you walk along the harbour wall you get an elevated view over the boats and spectacular views across to Almuñecar and, as you near the end of the wall, you will see the Blue Flag (currently for 2014/2015) flying near to the entrance of the harbour.
If you are interested in chartering a boat for a few days, this is the best place to look. Or, maybe you just want to take a boat excursion for an hour or two around the Cerro Gordo Marine Reserve and to the hidden coves along the coastline, which can also be arranged.
There are several diving clubs based at Marina del Este and good snorkelling from the adjoining Playa de los Berengueles, near to the car park.
For boat owners, there are 227 berths within the marina (to a maximum length of 35 metres), and all the services you would expect, including a fuel berth, boat hoist (up to 6m), chandlers, mechanics, hardstanding etc. More information from Marinas del Mediterráneo.
However, if like me, you just want to stroll around the harbour drooling over the beautiful boats, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and the great views across to Almuñecar, then Marina del Este is a great place to while away a few hours, both during the daytime or in an evening.
There is an art gallery, shops and a great selection of bars and restaurants all with outdoor seating, where you can enjoy a cool drink, tapas or a meal.
Yes, I’m pretty sure that even Otis Redding would enjoy sitting on the dock of this particular bay!
East of Málaga 
Can we get to the marina by bus please can you help
I understand that there is bus service several times a day from the towns of La Herradura and Almuñecar to Marina del Este. Other than to say that, I’m afraid I have no further information, Pauline. Hope you manage to get there 🙂
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The marina was built but never completed. At the far end is the shell of a hotel and a few shops that were also never completed. In 2001 I lived on my boat in the marina for about a year until I bought a villa over looking the marina and Almuneca. It was a great place to stay David’s restaurant was always excellent. Unfortunately the development behind is suffering from land slip and heave hence the cracks in buildings. Well worth a visit
That’s such a shame, David – the Marina is always a favourite place to take our visitors. Thanks for the insight 🙂
Its worth warning people to take care driving down the hill to the marina, the roads through the urbanisation built up behind it are badly maintained. They have manhole covers sunk 3 or 4 inches deep in places, along with recessed storm grates etc, the gouges in the tarmac testify to the number of cars that have grounded out.
It could be so nice, but if you look a little closer you’ll see the marina is in a bad state of repair, its dirty, badly maintained and the empty units are just left to rot.
Yes, you’re right about the road down to the Marina – some of the manhole covers are quite deep – we only narrowly missed hitting one last time we visited.
I noticed several cracks in some of the buildings around the Marina – such a shame. I wonder why that has been allowed to happen?
Absolutely my kind of place, Marianne 🙂 Should I ever make it down your way….
Would be more than happy to walk you around, Jo 🙂
Great sea side photos. Thanks for sharing.
I love marinas, but this is especially lovely. Otis would agree.
Me too, Lynne. Yes, I think he would agree 🙂
Thanks for the directions to this sun drenched Marina, and the link to that dreamy song! 🙂
Love that song! 🙂
I love it so much, your ideas of places to visit ! Can’t wait to visit the marina del este ! Thanks !
You’re welcome, Caroline – have FUN!
Marianne, there’s a great walk above the Marina. It is accessed via an open gate near the hotel, and leads along the upper hill then takes a steep twisty path eventually down to the beach heading toward Almuñecar. You get a great view of the Marina!
I didn’t know that – thanks Ron. I’ll have to give it a try sometime 🙂
I like the crystal clear water in the photo you described as ‘sea entrance to the marina’.
Mmmm …. me too, Gilly – I love the way the rocks show through the water. The colour is amazing!
What a gorgeous “dock of the bay,” Marianne. Yes, I could definitely imagine having lunch underneath one of those umbrellas. Such glamorous boats to drool over. 🙂
It’s nice to dream, once in a while …..
Thanks for getting in touch Sylvia, it’s always good to hear from you 🙂
Great play on a great song Marianne. Those pictures are fantastic and you could almost have been making an infomercial for the place, it looks absolutely fantastic there. I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy a mooch.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
Glad you enjoyed it, David.
Yes, I think you would especially enjoy feeding the fish! 😉
I’m not a boaty person… I’ve been known to feel queasy walking on a pontoon. But I love wandering around marinas, looking at boats and dreaming of the nautical life 🙂
If the truth be known, I get a bit queasy on boats too – but I still LOVE looking at them 🙂
Beautiful – this is looks like my sort of place. I’m going to bookmark this post and try and find it next time we are planning a visit to the coast. Thanks, Marianne 🙂
It’s a great place to waste a few hours, Lottie 🙂
I love placenames in Spain, I find them graphic and entertaining.
BTW, this place couldn’t be more beautiful!
The name sounds much better than it really is, Ana – it just means Marina of the East!
I love visiting here – we always take guests 🙂
My man has been there – he goes to the jazz festival in Almuñecar most years. It does look lovely, maybe I should go next year 🙂
The Marina is definitely worth a visit,Wendy.
What time of year is the Jazz Festival?
Marianne, it’s at the end of July. It’s outside in a lovely park. Sadly, I am not a big jazz fan, as the man once said, I’ll never understand jazz….