Boat rental in Marbella — Puerto Banús, dolphins, Estepona, Gibraltar and tips for 2027

Marbella is the best-known resort on the Costa del Sol, set between the Sierra Blanca mountains and a long line of sandy beaches. Its marinas are among the busiest in southern Spain, from the yachts of Puerto Banús to the small city harbour beside the old town. From the water you can follow the coast west to Estepona or east to Fuengirola, watch for dolphins offshore and, on a clear day, see the Rock of Gibraltar and the mountains of Africa on the horizon. This guide covers where boats leave from, where to go, the rules and when to come.

Where boats leave from

The main departure points are Puerto Banús, the large marina about 6 km west of the centre, and the Puerto Deportivo de Marbella right in front of the old town. Along the coast there are further marinas at Cabopino in the east, at Estepona in the west and at Fuengirola and Benalmádena towards Málaga. Many dolphin-watching trips and skippered charters start from Puerto Banús and Benalmádena.

Where to go

• Marbella's beaches (1–5 NM): from the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús to the beaches of Nueva Andalucía and San Pedro de Alcántara, with the Sierra Blanca as a backdrop.
• Cabopino and the Artola dunes (about 6 NM east): a small marina next to the protected sand dunes of Artola, one of the last natural dune systems on the coast.
• Dolphin watching (2–10 NM offshore): common and bottlenose dolphins are often seen in the calm waters off the Costa del Sol, especially in the morning.
• Estepona (about 12 NM west): a town of white streets and flower pots, with a marina and long beaches.
• Fuengirola and Benalmádena (about 12–17 NM east): busy resorts with a medieval castle at Fuengirola and a large marina at Benalmádena; Málaga is a little further.

For more of Andalusia, read our guides to boat rental in Málaga and boat rental in Almería. If you are touring the region by campervan, see our Granada campervan guide.

Rules and tips

• Without a licence. You can rent a small boat without a licence, up to about 5 metres and 15 hp, by day and close to the coast. Larger boats need a recognised licence, or a skipper.
• Bathing areas. In summer the beaches are marked with buoys and boats may not enter the swimming zones; use the marked channels to reach the shore at slow speed.
• Dolphins. Keep at least 60 metres away, slow down, never cut across their path and never feed or swim with them.
• Marina traffic. Puerto Banús is very busy in summer; enter and leave at walking pace and follow the instructions of the marina staff.
• Gibraltar. Gibraltar's waters are British, and the Strait has heavy shipping and strong currents; go only with an experienced skipper.

Wind and weather

The Costa del Sol is sheltered by the mountains, and in summer the morning is usually calm. The two main winds are the levante from the east, which can blow strongly for several days and raise a choppy sea, and the poniente from the west, which brings cooler, clearer air. In summer a hot land wind, the terral, sometimes blows from the north. Check the forecast every morning, especially before longer trips.

When to go

The season runs from May to October. In August the sea reaches about 23–24 °C, and the marinas and beaches are at their busiest. June and September offer calmer days and fewer people. In June Marbella celebrates its patron saint's festival of San Bernabé, and with more than 300 sunny days a year, spring and autumn are also pleasant for a day on the sea.

A boat in Marbella with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our boat offer in Marbella. Send us your date and number of people through the contact page and we will look for a suitable boat, and keep an eye on the boats in Marbella page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat in or around Marbella? List it with us.