Yacht Charter in Puerto Banús: 2026 Guide

Chartering a yacht in Puerto Banús means hiring a leisure boat, with or without a skipper, for a few hours, a day or a week from Marbella's best-known marina. Puerto José Banús has 915 berths and takes vessels up to 50 metres, so small motorboats and superyachts share the same quays. Marbella One is a digital concierge app in Marbella that helps you request a boat charter through Marco, its AI assistant.

This guide covers which boat to choose, what licence Spanish rules require, the usual routes and the items worth checking on any quote.

What kinds of boats can you charter in Puerto Banús?

Charter platforms in Puerto Banús list mostly motorboats, RIBs and motor yachts, with some sailing yachts and catamarans. Average capacity is around 10 guests, with 12 a common maximum for day charters.

Licence-free boat: up to 5 metres and 15 hp; for a short spin close to shore.
Motorboat or RIB: quick and easy to anchor; ideal for nearby beaches and coves.
Motor yacht of 12–18 m: the most popular choice for a skippered half or full day, with a bathroom, sunpads and a fridge.
Sailing yacht or catamaran: a gentler pace; some offer weekend trips with a night on board.
Superyacht (over 24 m): fully crewed, usually by the week and under MYBA-style terms.

Skippered or bareboat: what licence do you need in Spain?

On a skippered charter you need no qualification: a professional skipper runs the boat. Most yachts in Puerto Banús are offered this way, and where the skipper is not included, platforms put the average at around €210 a day.

If you want to skipper it yourself, Spanish rules (Royal Decree 875/2014) set these limits:

Qualification	Maximum length	Navigation limit	Age
No licence	Motorboat up to 5 m and 15 hp	2 nm from the departure port or beach, daylight only	18
Licencia de navegación	Up to 6 m	2 nm from a port, daylight only	18 (16 with consent)
PNB	Up to 8 m	5 nm from a port or shelter	18 (16 with consent)
PER	Up to 15 m (24 m with extra training)	12 nm from the coast	18
Patrón de Yate	Up to 24 m	150 nm from the coast	18
Capitán de Yate	Up to 24 m	No limit	18

How long is a typical charter, and where do people go?

Most trips last 2, 4, 6 or 8 hours, with multi-day and weekly charters arranged on request. A two-hour sunset cruise towards Estepona is a classic; a full day gets you to Sotogrande or, on a fast boat, to Gibraltar.

Distances are approximate straight-line figures from Puerto Banús; the actual sea route is slightly longer.

Destination	Approx. distance	Usual format
Marbella (marina and town beaches)	3–4 nm	2–4 hours
Cabopino and the Artola dunes	about 10 nm	4 hours
Estepona	about 11 nm	2–4 hours; sunset
Sotogrande	about 20 nm	Full day or weekend
Gibraltar	about 30 nm	Full day on a fast yacht (20+ knots)

How much does it cost to charter a boat or yacht in Puerto Banús?

Price depends on size, age, season and what is included. These indicative ranges come from listings and platforms checked in 2026; always ask for a full quote for your date.

Platform average: approx. €1,455 a day, within a published range of approx. €190–4,387 (Nautal).
5 m licence-free boat: approx. €240–340 for a six-hour summer day, plus fuel (about €15 an hour) and cleaning (Samboat listing, priced in US dollars).
16–18 m skippered motor yacht: approx. €1,800–2,500 for 4 hours and approx. €2,800–3,700 for 8 hours (Click&Boat listings). On one of them, fuel is extra at approx. €430–675 depending on duration.
24–30 m superyacht: approx. US$6,200–13,500 a day before APA and VAT (Boatcrowd).

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Read every line of the quote: two similar offers can end up very different once the extras are added.

Fuel: not included on most Puerto Banús charters; some include a set number of miles (for example 20–30 nm on a four-hour trip) and charge for the rest.
VAT: a charter starting in Spain carries 21% IVA on the charter fee. Check whether the rate you are quoted includes it.
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): on crewed yachts, usually weekly charters, you pay 25–40% of the fee up front for fuel, food, drinks and berths; it is reconciled with receipts and any balance is refunded.
Berths: the Puerto Banús berth is usually included; berths in other ports are not.
Extras: food, jet skis or Seabobs are charged separately. On superyachts, a crew gratuity of 5–15% is customary.

When is the best time to sail, and how do the Levante and Poniente winds affect it?

The charter season runs from May to October, with July and August the peak weeks. June and September usually combine good weather with better availability.

Two winds shape local conditions. The Levante blows from the east, brings humidity and can raise waves of over 2.5 metres along the coast. The Poniente comes from the west, freshens the air and accelerates through the Strait, with a short, gusty sea.

An anchorage sheltered from one may be exposed to the other, and trips to Gibraltar depend on the wind. That is why many outings are confirmed on the day's forecast, and because the breeze tends to build through the day, an early start usually means calmer water.

What rules apply on board?

Since 2026, Royal Decree 191/2026 protects Posidonia and Cymodocea seagrass meadows in Spanish Mediterranean waters. It bans anchoring on them, including where the chain or swing reaches the meadow, except on authorised buoys or mooring fields. Near Marbella, protected Posidonia meadows lie within the Calahonda conservation area (Mijas).

Drop anchor on sand: between Marbella and Estepona there are sandy anchorages of around 4–5 metres, such as Cabopino or Playa del Cristo.

Without a licence, remember the limits: over 18, daylight only and within 2 nm of your departure point. Always respect the boat's maximum capacity and your skipper's instructions.

Can you sail to Gibraltar from Puerto Banús?

Yes, though it is never guaranteed: it depends on sea and wind. Since 15 July 2026 the EU–UK treaty on Gibraltar has applied provisionally, removing checks at the land border; passport checks now take place at Gibraltar's airport and port.

Bring a valid passport or travel document for every guest and ask your operator how arrival is handled.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to hire a boat in Marbella?

Not on a skippered charter. Without a skipper or licence you can only take motorboats up to 5 m and 15 hp, in daylight, within 2 nm, and you must be over 18. Bigger boats require a licencia de navegación, PNB or PER.

Is fuel included in the charter price?

On most Puerto Banús charters, no. Some skippered yachts include a set number of miles and charge for the rest, so check before you book.

What is APA on a yacht charter?

The Advance Provisioning Allowance, usually 25–40% of the charter fee, covers fuel, food, drinks and berths. It is reconciled with receipts at the end and any balance is returned.

How many people can go on a charter yacht?

For day charters, most Puerto Banús boats take up to 12 guests. The maximum is set in the boat's documentation and cannot be exceeded.

What is the best month to charter a yacht in Marbella?

The season runs from May to October. July and August see the highest demand; June and September usually bring good weather and more choice.

How Marbella One helps

With Marbella One, you tell Marco the date, the size of your group, how many hours you want on the water and the kind of boat or route you have in mind, in your own language and at any hour. Marco prepares the request and sends it to the charter provider, including any questions about fuel, VAT or extras; your booking is confirmed once the provider accepts it, and you are notified straight away. To pair your trip with lunch on the coast, see our guides to beach clubs and to Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile.

Talk to Marco

Opening times, prices and seasons can change, so always check with the venue. Marbella One does not charge for bookings; a request is only confirmed once the venue or provider accepts it.

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Sources

Versión en español

Yacht charter in Puerto Banús: a practical 2026 guide