Chartering A Boat On The Costa Del Sol

Call us biased, but the Costa del Sol offers everything you could possibly wish for: sun, sea, sand, and a friendly-laid back lifestyle. Once you’re spent an hour on one of our beautiful Costa del Sol beaches, you’ll never want to go home (which is why we help so many expats to find property on the Costa del Sol every year!) But did you know that there’s a better way to enjoy the sea and beach life of the region than sitting on the beach with the sand in your swimsuit? If you’re looking for an experience that will feel decadent and luxurious without breaking the bank, then why not charter a boat?

Here’s everything you need to know about chartering a boat on the Costa del Sol. Follow our advice and you’ll be sailing away in no time:

What kind of boat should we choose?

With so many different types of charter boats available, the choice can be overwhelming. The type of boat that will work best for you will depend on what kind of activities you’re hoping to enjoy at sea, and how large your party is.

• Active fishermen and fisherwomen should look for a fully equipped fishing boat: this will have all of the equipment and facilities you need to reel in a decent catch!
• Thrillseekers and adrenaline junkies should consider a high-powered speedboat. These are ideal for enjoying watersports such as waterskiing, tubing and wakeboarding. However, they offer minimal shelter from the sun, meaning they’re not a good choice if you’re looking for a full day hire.
• Families and couples looking for relaxation and luxury should consider a sailboat or sailing yacht. These are available in a wide variety of different sizes to accommodate a variety of groups, and can even come with your own sailing and catering staff, so that you don’t have to lift a finger. It’s the ultimate decadent treat.
• Finally, if you’re planning to be jumping in and out of the water all day then a catamaran coulld be exactly what you're looking for. These boats are great for swimming from and are also a great choice for parties and events. If you want a beer, a barbequed fish straight from the sea, and a refreshing swim after lunch then this is the boat for you.

To Crew or Not to Crew?

You may be feeling a little apprehensive about chartering a boat for the first time, particularly if you have no experience. The good news is that all boats, no matter how big or small, can be chartered with a crew to take control of the boat for you, leaving you to focus on having a good time.

All of the charter companies we recommend will only work with crew who have professional qualifications, for your safety and peace of mind. And If you wish to hire a boat ship without a crew then you must show a personal license appropriate for the type and weight of boat you wish to charter.

How Much Will it Cost Me?

One of the most frequently asked questions about chartering a boat is about the costs involved. Unfortunately, that isn’t a question that’s easy to answer. The price of your boat charter will depend on too many factors to list a full price list, including the company you choose, the harbour you wish to sail from, and of course the type of boat, it’s size, and the amount of time you would like to charter it for.

For example, Marbella’s Puerto Banus is an incredibly luxurious harbour, meaning that hire is likely to be more expensive than Málaga's new Muelle uno port or Benalmádena's Puerto Marina which tend to be more affordable options. However the marina can’t be the focus of your choice, as the type of boat you want to charter may not be available in the harbour closest to you. As you can see, there really are many factors to consider.

If you’re looking for an accurate price then we would suggest getting in touch with your preferred charter hire company and asking then for their comprehensive price list.

Where Can I Charter a Boat From?

Here is a list of some of the most popular charter companies in the Costa del Sol region:

Dansailing
Based in Based at El Puerto de Santa Maria, Dansailing offers sailing boats, catamarans, motorboats, yachts and gullets all available for charter with or without a crew.
Visit their website for more information.

Grupo Puerto Marina
Sailing boats and luxury yachts for hire in Malaga, Marbella and Benalmadena, giving you plenty of options to find the boat you’re looking for close to your location.
Visit their website for more information.

Port Tickets
If you’re looking for a larger charter boat suitable for a party (or even a stag or hen event) the Port Tickets hire a boat for up to 12 people called The Carribean Lady. Trips can start from just one hour, making it ideal for anyone just wanting a taster of  life on sea!
Visit their website for more information.

Med Boat
Wide variety of sailing and motor boats available for charter from locations all along the Costa Del Sol. If you’re interested in deepening your sailing knowledge, they also offer training for piloting boats.
Visit their website for more information.

To find out more about what it’s really like to live on the Costa del Sol, or for expert advice and support on making the move, why not get in touch with our property specialists today? We love to help people just like you find the Spanish property of their dreams.