All about Yacht Rentals in Marbella
Where better to rent a yacht than the Mediterranean Coast of Marbella? Considered a playground for the rich and famous, yacht rentals are habitual here. The Sierra Blanca Mountains form the perfect backdrop for Marbella’s picturesque landscape, making your sailing destination even more seductive.
27km of golden beach, restaurants and cafes guaranteed to tickle your taste buds, boutiques and shops awaiting your presence, Marbella is just as dreamy ashore as offshore.
How much will a yacht charter in Marbella cost?
The price of renting a yacht in Marbella will vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the number of people, the length of the yacht, and even the area you want to rent from.
If you want to rent from
Puerto José Banús, you can expect prices to
start at $1246 for half a day, $2200 for a full day, and $15397 for a week.
Renting in
Estepona, meanwhile, can cost anywhere
from $1206 per half day, $2242 per day, and $13937 per week.
To hire a boat in
Fuengirola during the
high season, you can expect to pay anything
from $1212 per half day, $2181 per day, and $15391 per week, while in
low season, typical prices
start at $424 for half a day, $727 for a full day, and $3636 for the week.
Is a bareboat charter in Marbella possible for yachts?
Yes, it is possible to rent a yacht in Marbella both with and without a skipper, but it should be noted that for boats longer than 5 metres (16.4 ft) or above a certain engine power, you will need to obtain a valid boating licence in order to hire a boat without. You should always look up the rules of the area before sailing and ensure you also have the correct insurance before setting off.
A bareboat charter is perfect for experienced sailors who feel comfortable navigating the Marbella coastline without guidance. If you want a more relaxing holiday, though, you should rent a boat with a skipper and let them guide you to all the best areas while you can work on your tan and go for a quick swim along the way.
What are the weather and sailing conditions like in Marbella?
Although
high season runs
from July to August, charter season in Marbella can
start as early as April and generally
ends around October. The Mediterranean climate is apt for your yacht charter during this period due to its warm temperatures and light breeze weather.
The
summers in Marbella are generally
short, warm and humid, with
virtually no rain at all in July.
Winters, on the other hand, are
long, cool and windy with a lot of clouds. The
wettest month in Marbella, with an average rainfall of 2.8 inches (7 cm), is
November.
The average temperature in Marbella generally stays between 47 and 84°F (8.3-28.9°C), rarely dropping below 41°F (5°C) and exceeding 92°F (33.3°C). The warm season lasts for about 3 months, the
warmest month being
August, with an average daily high temperature of 84°F (28.9°C). The cool season is about 4 months long, the
coldest month being
January, with an average daily low temperature of 48°F (8.9°C).
The
water temperature is usually at its
warmest in August, when it can reach around 72°F (22.2°C), but drops down to 59°F (15°C) in
February when it’s at its
coldest.
Generally, Marbella is
not very windy with winds reaching an average hourly speed of 11.2 mph (9.7 knots) in February, and dropping to an average hourly speed of about 8.3 mph (7.2 knots) in August.
When is the best time to visit Marbella?
The best time to visit Marbella depends on your personal preference. Most people tend to visit during the summer months on account of the fantastic weather and reduced risk of rain but this can, in fact, be a good reason not to go during the summer months. From July to August, the beaches will be flooded with tourists wanting to take advantage of the good weather, meaning prices will naturally be higher.
Most people consider the best time to visit Marbella to be September and October, as the temperatures are still good for swimming but most of the tourists have gone and with the schools back in session, there will also be less locals at the beach. From November until March, the temperatures are a lot lower and while this might not be so good if you want a swim, the fewer tourists and resulting lower prices are definitely attractive to some sailors. April is also generally good in terms of temperature and crowds, although the amount of tourists may be a little higher during the easter break.
Marbella's Harbors and Ports
We have yachts available in all our Marbella Ports: Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Puerto José Banús, Puerto Pesquero de Estepona and Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola.
Directly on the seafront promenade, Puerto Deportivo de Marbella is the most central Port. The harbor has 337 berths and high-quality facilities.
To the west of Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Puerto José Banús is the marina of all marina´s boasting 915 berths, some of which hold multiple of the world’s rich and famous’ boats—including the King of Saudi Arabia’s.
Puerto Pesquero de Estepona has berths for 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 is to the east of Marbella, holding 226 berths. The harbor services here are complete with water, electricity and wifi.
All of these areas are great for sailing, with many things to see, and lots of beaches, which are perfect for a quick dip in the sea but other marinas worth mentioning are:
- Puerto Sotogrande
- Puerto de la Duquesa
- Cabopino
- Marina Benalmádena
What to do in Marbella
Marbella is a never-ending buzz of restaurants and cafes which endeavor to tickle all taste buds. Boutiques, bars and bistros layer the waterfront and spread further inland behind its distinguished, high-class harbor. The shopping is boundless with artisan markets making an appearance regularly during high season. There is a street market every Sunday in Estepona, which is very popular with both locals and tourists.
The nearby town of Fuengirola is characterized by its medieval castle towering the coast and its beautiful beaches. Bioparc, an animal park (awarded certificate of excellence by tripadvisor) sets the European bar high on the preservation of animal species and respect for nature and wildlife.
The
Costa del Sol region also offers many different options for extended trips, as its geographical position enables you to explore a multitude of areas. Exploring the region from east to west is sure to be a scenic journey with stops in Marbella’s supreme harbors. However, you also have the opportunity to
venture out in search of dolphins or even to cross the Mediterranean for a
day-trip to Morocco. Additionally, you could make your yacht charter destination
Gibraltar and explore the south coast of Spain along the way.
If you want to step into a city which feels like it’s from another world, you should head over to the old town. This charming maze of pedestrian streets is so clean that the tiles shine in the sun.
You can also head over to the Iglesia de la Encarnación which is Marbella’s main historic landmark. Originally a mosque which was adapted for Christian worship, you can still see where the original design has influenced the current building.
If you want to find the perfect place to relax in nature, there are a few different options. You can visit Alameda Park, which is completely idyllic, from its beautiful plants, to the marble paved walkways and the multitude of fountains. Alternatively, you can visit the Bonsai Museum, which has one of the finest 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 spectacular option for spending some time in nature is to climb La Concha. This mountain, which reaches its peak at 1200 metres (almost 4000 ft), is part of the Sierra Blanca coastal mountain range. Although the walk takes about 4 hours to the top, it’s definitely worth making the trip as the views from the top extend way past Marbella, all the way to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
If you want to see something that is one of a kind, you can go to the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Engraving in the oldest part of Marbella, where you can see over 4000 pieces of graphic design. These come from some of the most celebrated Spanish artists, including Dalí, Picasso, Goya, Miró and Chillida.
If you like old Roman Architecture, you have two main options. First, there is the Roman Villa which is over 2000 years old, but you also have the Vega del Mar Basilica. This is an incredibly important archaeological site a short distance from Guayaba beach and most of the objects discovered here go straight to the National Museum of Archaeology in Madrid. It was originally a Roman Necropolis and 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.
How to get to Marbella
The nearest airport to Marbella is
Malaga Airport (AGP). AGP has three terminals and you can
fly directly to and from the majority of locations in Europe, including
the UK,
Ireland,
Italy,
France and
Russia. Coming from Asia, you can get a direct flight from
Qatar, and from Africa, there are many direct flights from different airports across
Morocco. You can also get direct flights from
Canada. Getting from
Malaga Airport to Marbella 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 yacht charter in Fuengirola, this journey will be shorter and cheaper.