License free boat rentals in Marbella

There are few better places to rent a licence free boat than Marbella. With views to die for and plenty to do, this is the perfect location to explore at your leisure from the deck of your very own boat rental. The Sierra Blanca Mountains form the perfect backdrop for Marbella’s picturesque landscape, making your sailing destination even more enticing. 

With 27 km (16.8 miles) of golden beach, restaurants and cafes that are guaranteed to tickle your taste buds, and lots of charming boutiques and shops awaiting your presence, Marbella is just as dreamy onshore as off.

Renting a licence free boat in Marbella will generally cost from around $207 per half day, $316 per day and $1701 per week.

Yes, in fact, it is only possible to rent licence free boats in Marbella without a skipper but you should always ensure that you have the relevant insurance before setting off, unless you want to end up with a hefty fine.

A bareboat charter in a licence free boat is perfect for experienced sailors who feel comfortable navigating the Marbella coastline without guidance.  You can visit a wide range of coves and breathtaking beaches, which are only reachable by boat and thus unspoilt by development.

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 licence free boat charter during this period because of the warm temperatures and light breezes present especially around the beaches.

The summers in Marbella are usually short, warm and humid, with almost no rain at all in July.  Winters, however, are long, cool and windy with many clouds.  The wettest month in Marbella is November, which has an average rainfall of 2.8 inches (7 cm).

The average temperature in Marbella generally stays between 47 and 84°F (8.3-28.9°C), and rarely drops below 41°F (5°C) or exceeds 92°F (33.3°C).  The warm season lasts for about 3 months, with August being the warmest month, having an average daily high temperature of 84°F (28.9°C).  The cool season is longer, usually about 4 months, with the coldest month being January, having an average daily low temperature of 48°F (8.9°C).

The water temperature is usually at its warmest in August, when it can be as high as 72°F (22.2°C), but dips down to its coldest in February when it can be as low as 59°F (15°C).

Generally, Marbella isn’t very windy with winds reaching their peak in February at an average hourly speed of 11.2 mph (9.7 knots), and dropping in August to an average hourly speed of about 8.3 mph (7.2 knots).

The best time to visit Marbella depends on what you want to do during your holiday.  Most people visit during the summer months on account of the amazing weather and lower quantities of rain but if you don’t like crowds, you should avoid the summer at all costs.  From July to August, the beaches are flooded with tourists chasing the good weather, meaning that prices will naturally be higher.

In general, the best months to visit Marbella are September and October.  During these months, the temperatures are still good for swimming but there will be fewer tourists and with the schools back in session, fewer locals.  From November until March, the temperatures are usually quite a bit lower.  While this might not be so good if you fancy a swim, the fewer tourists and resulting lower prices are definitely a draw for some sailors.  April is also usually a good month to go regarding temperature and crowds, although the amount of tourists may rise slightly during the easter break.

There are many impressive ports and sailing areas in Marbella.  Although we currently only have licence free boats in Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, most of the other major ports are within sailing distance, so with a licence free boat, the sky really is the limit.

The most central port in Marbella is Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, which is directly on the seafront promenade. This harbor is magnificent and has 337 berths and high-quality facilities. 

West of Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Puerto José Banús is enormous, with 915 berths, some of which hold boats of incredibly famous people, including the King of Saudi Arabia. 

Puerto Pesquero de Estepona can hold 447 boats up to 35m length. The facilities here include a toilet/shower block with water, electricity and wifi available at all berths. 

Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, located to the east of Marbella, has 226 berths. The harbor offers complete services, with water, electricity and wifi. 

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

Marbella has a multitude of restaurants and cafes which aim to serve something to please everyone. Boutiques, bars and bistros are scattered along the waterfront but also spread further inland past the harbor. The shopping opportunities are endless with artisan markets throughout high season. Every Sunday there is a street market in Estepona, which is a big hit with locals and tourists alike. 

Fuengirola, located nearby, is home to a spectacular medieval castle, which towers over the coast and its beautiful beaches. 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.

The Costa del Sol region also offers many different opportunities for slightly longer trips, its convenient location enabling you to explore many different areas. If you explore the region from east to west, you are sure to benefit from a scenic journey with stops in all of Marbella’s important harbors. If you’re feeling adventurous though, you can also go in search of dolphins or cross the Mediterranean for a day-trip to Morocco. Alternatively, you could also head over Gibraltar and explore the south coast of Spain all from the comfort of your licence free boat charter.

If you head into the old town, you will feel as though you’ve stepped into another world.  This charming labyrinth of pedestrian streets is so clean that the tiles sparkle in the sun.  

If you like old churches, you should take the time to 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, you can still see the influence of the original building.

If all you desire is to relax in nature, you have a few different options.  One option is Alameda Park, an idyllic paradise throughout, from its perfectly pruned plants, to the marble paved walkways and the many fantastic fountains.  If this doesn’t appeal to you, you can visit the Bonsai Museum.  This museum has 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 alternative for spending some 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).  The walk takes about 4 hours to the top, but it’s definitely worth making the trip as the 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.  Here you can see 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.

There are also lots of golf courses in Marbella, as well as plenty of opportunities to take part in water sports.

Malaga Airport (AGP), which has three terminals, is the nearest 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 coming from Asia, you can get a direct flight from Qatar, and coming from Africa, there are many direct flights from different airports across Morocco.  There are also direct flight options from Canada. Getting from Malaga Airport to Marbella is easy 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 licence free boat charter in Fuengirola, this journey will be shorter and cheaper.