History

Club Nautico Cartagena, the marina, was founded over 30 years ago by Candelaria Trucco  and her Australian husband, Norman.

Although few (adventurous) cruisers visited Cartagena at the time, staying at the established Club de Pesca, things began to change with the new marina Candelaria and Norman were developing for the cruising sailor. They had already established a successful tour operation using their locally built schooner Silva when they decided to take over a run-down dock and improve the facilities with their moderate savings. A new Palapa bar restaurant was built including pool table and cruiser rest rooms.

The first two years were pretty slow but the word eventually got around and by the early 90s things were humming with mainly American and Canadian arrivals. Dock space was limited and the Club utilized a wrecked Brigantine and a forlorn 70-foot steamer to allow more vessels to tie up. The steamer became the MV Simon Bolivar for Nostromo (joseph Conrad), a mini TV series (1996) with Claudio Cardinali and Albert Finney (and many famous others!).

The Club Nautico style was improvisational
but fun was definitely to be had; the place soon rocked! The family marina
established its reputation; the regular folkloric events and celebrations, Pot lucks, flea markets and  good  facilities in making guests really feel at home.

Co-founder Norman, an avid sailor, was key in developing local sailing interest. The Club Nautico Regattas were famous for being the most fun, with submerged sit-down dinners and tricked-out boats with engines not required, neither lifelines nor precious little else except too much sail!!
Recently, the character of the marina has changed as it welcomes  sailors from all over the world: also looking at the increasing national interest in yachting and chartering.