Boat rental in Tarragona — Costa Daurada beaches, Cap Salou, Altafulla, the Ebro Delta and tips for 2027

Tarragona, the Roman Tarraco and a World Heritage site, stands on a rocky hill above the Costa Daurada, Catalonia's "golden coast". Below the amphitheatre lie the golden sands of the Miracle beach, the fishermen's quarter of El Serrallo and one of the Mediterranean's busiest ports. To the north the coast runs past pine-covered coves and the castles of Tamarit and Altafulla, to the south past the rocky headland of Cap Salou to Cambrils and the Ebro Delta. This guide covers where boats leave from, where to go, the rules and when to come.

Where boats leave from

Boats leave from the Port Esportiu de Tarragona and the Club Nàutic next to El Serrallo, where the fishing fleet comes in each afternoon and the fish auction takes place. Further along the coast there are marinas in Torredembarra to the north and in Salou, Cambrils and L'Ametlla de Mar to the south. Many boats for hire are based in Salou and Cambrils, from where you reach Cap Salou more quickly.

Where to go

• The city beaches (about 1–2 NM): Miracle, Arrabassada and Savinosa, below the old town and the amphitheatre, with clear water and views of the Roman walls.
• Cala Fonda and Punta de la Mora (about 4–5 NM): one of the last unspoilt stretches of the coast, with the Cala Fonda cove, also known as "Waikiki", pine woods and a protected area around the Mora headland.
• Tamarit and Altafulla (about 6–7 NM): the medieval Tamarit castle right on the beach and the white houses of Altafulla, and further north the Torredembarra lighthouse.
• Cap Salou (about 7–9 NM): rocky coves such as Cala Crancs and Cala Font, with clear water and pine trees, between Salou and La Pineda.
• Cambrils and L'Ametlla de Mar (about 12–25 NM): the fishing harbour of Cambrils, famous for its seafood restaurants, and further south the coves of L'Ametlla de Mar, where boat tours visit the bluefin tuna farms.
• The Ebro Delta (about 35 NM): rice fields, lagoons, flamingos and endless sandy beaches; a long trip best done with a skipper.

See the boats in Barcelona page for the coast further north. For more of the Spanish coast, read our guides to boat rental in Alicante and boat rental in Málaga. If you are touring Catalonia by campervan, see our Barcelona campervan guide.

Rules and tips

• Licence. Without a licence you can drive a small boat of up to about 5 m and 15 hp, by day and close to the coast. Larger boats need a licence or a skipper.
• Bathing areas. In summer the beaches are marked off with buoys, usually up to 200 m from the shore; boats may only enter and leave slowly through the marked channels.
• Seagrass. Posidonia meadows are protected in Catalonia; anchor only on sand.
• Port traffic. Keep clear of the commercial port, the oil terminals and ships at anchor, and give way to the fishing boats returning to El Serrallo in the afternoon.
• Protected areas. Around Punta de la Mora and in the Ebro Delta there are restrictions on anchoring and landing; follow the signs and buoys.

Wind and weather

In summer the mornings are usually calm, and the garbí, a sea breeze from the south-west, picks up in the early afternoon and raises a short chop. The mestral from the north-west blows down the Ebro valley and can be strong and gusty, especially in the south towards the delta. The llevant from the east brings swell to the beaches. Check the forecast every morning and plan your return before the wind gets up.

When to go

The season runs from June to September. In August the sea reaches about 25–26 °C, but the beaches and marinas are at their busiest. June and September offer warm water and fewer boats, and May and October are often still pleasant. In early July the International Fireworks Competition lights up the sky over the Miracle beach, and in late September the Santa Tecla festival fills the old town with human towers (castells), giants and fire runs.

A boat in Tarragona with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our boat offer in Tarragona. 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 Tarragona page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat in or around Tarragona? List it with us.