Catamaran rentals in Marbella

There are few things that scream of luxury better than renting a catamaran in Marbella and sailing the Mediterranean sea. Marbella, without a doubt offers some of the best views in Europe, with the Sierra Blanca Mountains forming the perfect backdrop for the breathtaking landscape.  The beaches, many of which are only reachable by boat, are thus mostly unspoilt by development, while the surrounding areas and bustling ports still offer up all of the amenities you could possibly need.

The 27 km (16.8 miles) of golden beach, restaurants and cafes full of local dishes for you to sample, charmingly cosy boutiques and shops that await your presence make Marbella a heavenly destination for everyone, no matter your age or interests.

The price of renting a catamaran in Marbella generally depends on a number of factors, but especially on the area you want to rent from.

Renting from Estepona Marina will cost you about $941 per half day, $1764 per day and $7643 per week during high season, while the costs in low season dip to $822 per half day, $1646 per day and $6614 per week.

When renting from Puerto José Banus, prices generally start at $1433 per half day, $2205 per day, and $8231 per week in high season, but dip to $1337 per half day, $2058 per day and $7055 per week during low season.

Prices at Puerto Deportivo de Marbella stay consistent all year round and usually start at around $1982 per half day, $3049 per day and $14404 per week.

Yes, it is possible to rent catamarans in Marbella with or without a skipper but if you don’t want to end up with a large fine, you should always ensure that you have the relevant insurance before setting off.  You should also check out the laws regarding boating licences, as if the boat is larger than 5 metres (16.4 ft) or above a certain engine power, you will need the relevant licence to rent without a skipper.

A bareboat charter in a catamaran is ideal if you are an experienced sailor and feel comfortable navigating the Marbella coastline without guidance.  If you aren’t so confident, though, or simply want to relax and enjoy your holiday and let someone else take care of the actual sailing part, you should rent with a skipper.

High season in Marbella runs from July to August, but charter season can actually start as early as April and typically ends around October. The Mediterranean climate is perfect for your catamaran hire during this period because of the warm temperatures and light breezes present especially around the beaches.

Summers in Marbella are usually short, warm and humid, and there is barely any rainfall at all in July.  Winters, however, are long, cool, windy, and very cloudy.  Marbella’s wettest month is November, with an average rainfall of 2.8 inches (7 cm).

Average temperatures in Marbella generally stay between 47 and 84°F (8.3-28.9°C), rarely dropping below 41°F (5°C) or exceeding 92°F (33.3°C).  The warm season is about 3 months long, and August is typically the warmest month, having an average daily high temperature of 84°F (28.9°C).  The cool season is longer, usually about 4 months, and Marbella’s coldest month is January, which has an average daily low temperature of 48°F (8.9°C).

Water temperatures are usually at their warmest in August, when they can reach about 72°F (22.2°C), but in February when they can dip right down to around 59°F (15°C).

Generally, Marbella isn’t very windy.  Winds are at their fastest in February, when they have an average hourly speed of 11.2 mph (9.7 knots), and the slowest wind speeds are recorded in August, when they are about 8.3 mph (7.2 knots).

The best time to visit Marbella depends on a number of factors.  Most tourists generally visit during the summer months because of the amazing weather and the fact that there is less rain but if you don’t like crowds, you should avoid the summer, especially from July to August.  During these months, tourists flock to the beaches in their thousands chasing the good weather, meaning that prices will naturally be higher and if you’re after a slightly more relaxing holiday, these are definitely the wrong months in which to go.

In general, the best months to visit Marbella for your catamaran charter are September and October.  During this period, temperatures are still idyllic for swimming, snorkelling, and any other water sports/beach related activities in which you wish to partake, but there will be fewer tourists and with the schools back in session, fewer locals.  From November until March, temperatures drop down quite a lot.  While this might not be so good if swimming is your chosen holiday activity, the fewer tourists and resulting lower prices are definitely attractive for some sailors.  April is also usually a good month to go regarding temperature and crowds, although the amount of tourists may be slightly higher again during the easter break.

There are lots of ports and sailing areas in Marbella, which are just begging for you to explore them.  Although we currently only have catamaran rentals available in Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Estepona Marina, and Puerto José Banús, most of the other major ports are within sailing distance, so if you rent a catamaran, you can be free to explore whichever areas your heart desires.

Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, the area’s most central port, is directly on the seafront promenade. This harbor is big enough to hold up to 337 boats and has a number of high-quality facilities. 

West of Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, you can visit Puerto José Banús, which is arguably Marbella’s most impressive port, with 915 berths, some of which hold boats of incredibly famous people, including the King of Saudi Arabia. 

Puerto Pesquero de Estepona has room for up to 447 boats up to 35 m (around 115 ft) long. The facilities here include a toilet/shower block with water, electricity and wifi available at all berths. 

Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, which is located to the east of Marbella, has room for up to 226 boats. Complete services are available at this harbour, including water, electricity and wifi. 

These areas are all great for sailing and will provide you with a very comfortable stay, but other marinas worth mentioning are:

Marbella has many different restaurants and cafes which serve a number of local dishes, catering to most people’s tastes. Boutiques, bars and bistros are scattered both along the waterfront and also further inland. There are a range of shopping opportunities from artisan markets to Estepona’s Sunday street market, which is a big hit with locals and tourists alike. 

Fuengirola, not far away, is home to a medieval castle, which towers over the coast and its beautiful beaches, leaving all who visit in awe. Bioparc, an animal park (awarded certificate of excellence by tripadvisor) is an excellent example of the Spanish efforts to preserve a variety of vulnerable and endangered animal species, displaying a deep respect for nature and wildlife.

If you’re after a slightly longer trip, the Costa del Sol region has all you could possibly want, its convenient location enabling you to explore many different areas. If you explore the region from east to west, you can stop off in all of Marbella’s important harbors. If you’re feeling adventurous though, you should go in search of dolphins or even cross the Mediterranean for a day-trip to Morocco. Alternatively, you can also head over Gibraltar and explore the south coast of Spain with even more fantastic beaches.

If you head inland and visit the old town, it will be almost like you’ve stepped into another world.  This charming labyrinth of pedestrian streets is so clean that the tiles sparkle in the sun.  

If old churches are more your thing, you should visit the Iglesia de la Encarnación, Marbella’s main historic landmark.  This church was originally a mosque which was later adapted for Christian worship and even now, the influence of the original building is still very obvious.

For those who want to relax whilst surrounded by nature, there are a few different options to check out.  One of these is Alameda Park, a heavenly paradise throughout, from its perfectly pruned plants, to the marble paved walkways and the plethora of fountains sure to make your jaws drop.  You should also visit the Bonsai Museum, which contains one of the best collections of bonsai trees in Europe, as well as water features with turtles swimming in them.  The oldest tree in this museum is a 300 year old olea oleaster.  Another amazing idea for those who want to spend a little time in nature is to climb La Concha.  Part of the Sierra Blanca coastal mountain range, its peak is at 1200 metres (almost 4000 ft).  It takes about 4 hours to walk to the top, but it’s definitely worth making the trip as views from its peak go way past Marbella, all the way over to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

You can go to the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engraving in the oldest part of Marbella, if you want to see something truly unique.  Contained in this one of a kind museum are over 4000 pieces of graphic design from some of the most celebrated Spanish artists, including Dalí, Picasso, Goya, Miró and Chillida.

For old Roman Architecture, you have two main options.  First, you have the Roman Villa which is over 2000 years old, but another option is the Vega del Mar Basilica, an incredibly important archaeological site just a short distance from Guayaba beach.  Most of the objects discovered here go straight to the National Museum of Archaeology in Madrid.  Originally a Roman Necropolis, it was one of the biggest archaeological sites in Spain with around 200 graves.

You can also chill out on one of the golf courses in Marbella, which are suitable for amateurs and experts as well as taking part in many different water sports.

Malaga Airport (AGP), which has three terminals, is the nearest airport to Marbella. You can fly directly to and from the majority of locations in Europe, including the UK, Ireland, Italy, France and Russia.  If you’re flying from Asia, you can get a direct flight from Qatar, and flying from Africa, there are many direct flights from airports all over Morocco.  There are also direct flights from Canada. Getting from Malaga Airport to Marbella couldn’t be easier and can be done by bus, car or taxi. The airport bus to Marbella has a journey duration of 45 minutes and costs approx. $7. The cost of a taxi is $40-50. 

Please bear in mind that these calculations have been made from AGP to Marbella city centre. If you are starting your catamaran charter in Fuengirola, this journey will be shorter and cheaper.