Are UK marina fees charged per metre?

Yes, almost universally per metre of overall length, with beam or multihull surcharges and separate charges for electricity, lift-out and storage ashore.

Is a swinging mooring cheaper than a marina berth?

Considerably — a mooring is often a fraction of marina cost — but you pay for it in tender access, less convenient maintenance and no shore power.

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Marina berthing fees UK: how annual and visitor rates are worked out

Marine Match · 10 August 2026 · 6 min read

Almost every UK marina prices a berth per metre of overall length, then adds surcharges. Comparing headline rates alone is how owners get caught out.

Length is not always your length

Many marinas charge on LOA including bowsprit, davits, bathing platform and pushpit-mounted gear. A 10.9m boat can be billed as 11.5m. Ask what figure the quote is based on before you sign.

Beam and multihull surcharges

Wide boats and catamarans are usually charged at a multiple — commonly 1.5x to 2x the monohull rate — because they occupy more than one berth's water.

The extras

Electricity is often metered separately, and water, wifi, car parking, gate cards and a mandatory insurance check may all appear. Winter storage ashore, lift-in and lift-out are separate again.

Annual versus monthly

An annual contract is typically the equivalent of nine to ten months' monthly rate, so anything over about eight months afloat is usually cheaper taken annually.

Negotiating

Rates move most in autumn when marinas are filling next year's berths. Multi-year deals, off-peak start dates and paying annually up front are the levers that actually shift a price.

Indicative costs

Indicative UK annual berthing ranges (per year, inc. hull length)

Job	Typical range	Notes
8m (26ft)	£2,600 – £5,200	Regional yards at the low end
10m (33ft)	£3,400 – £7,500	Solent and south coast at the top
12m (39ft)	£4,300 – £9,500	Premium marinas higher again
15m (49ft)	£6,000 – £14,000	Often quoted per metre plus beam surcharge
Visitor berth, per night	£3.00 – £5.50 per metre	Peak-season south coast at the top

Guide ranges compiled by the Marine Match team from UK quotes and published yard tariffs. Prices vary by region, yard and vessel condition — always get your own quotes.

Frequently asked

Are UK marina fees charged per metre?: Yes, almost universally per metre of overall length, with beam or multihull surcharges and separate charges for electricity, lift-out and storage ashore.
Is a swinging mooring cheaper than a marina berth?: Considerably — a mooring is often a fraction of marina cost — but you pay for it in tender access, less convenient maintenance and no shore power.