Although Don Martín had correctly predicted the key challenges that the campaign would face - the lack of a secure deep-water anchorage, and the ability of the English galleons to refuse close-quarters battle - he believed that the Spanish would still had won if they had pressed the attack at Gravelines.
Bertendona brought his flagship safely home to Spain, and in 1589, he participated in the successful defence of A Coruña against the invasion attempt of Sir Francis Drake.
In 1592, Bertendona led a squadron across the Bay of Biscay in support of the Catholic League, with the repaired San Bernabé as flagship.
In 1596–7, Don Martín was involved as a senior subordinate commander in renewed preparations to invade England, but these were hindered by delays and bad storms.
Further expeditions in 1601 and 1602 were called off by his superiors, but since 1588, Don Martín had also commanded the naval forces of his home province of Biscay, and he focused his energies on the construction of a new fleet, including fast ships inspired by the Dunkirk frigates.