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A yacht charter in Spain is one of the best ways to explore the beauty and diversity of one of the world’s most visited destinations. With 8000 km of stunning coastline, Spain is also one of the most dynamic sailing destinations. From the golden beaches of Marbella over the vibrant Balearic island to the exhilarating coastal city of Barcelona, Spain offers the perfect mix of culture, relaxation and sunny weather.
When thinking about a boat holiday in Spain you might think about sandy beaches, sunny weather and delicious tapas first and foremost, but Spain has more to offer than that.
Casual dining in Spain:
Best restaurants with a view in Spain:
Fine dining in Spain:
Spain is a country with a rich and vibrant culture and history. Different empires ruled over the Iberian peninsula during different periods in time and each brought their own unique culture to shape the Spain we know today. There are plenty of historical sites you can visit all over the country. If you want to see some buildings that were built during more recent times, you should definitely visit La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona which was built in the late 19th century and Casa Batlló which is another of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces.
The marine weather can vary depending on the time of year and the location you choose to visit in Spain.
As a whole, summers in Spain offer calm conditions though occasional thunderstorms and heavy downpours in the hottest months in July and August can occur.
The east coast of Spain is the perfect place for novice sailors or those seeking a more relaxing cruise as this area is more secluded and therefore protected from the stronger winds and rougher seas of the Atlantic.
While wind speeds tend to be low with an average of 6 knots, it also highly depends on the region you’re sailing in. Winds generally peak at 10 knots, especially when there are sudden gusts that you need to take into consideration. Winds are generally much stronger on the Atlantic coast than on the Mediterranean coast. It is also quite common for wind speeds to fluctuate throughout the day.
Swell is another thing you need to consider when planning a sailing holiday in Spain. The height of the swell is around 0.5 to 1 on an average day and the period varies. It can be anything from 2 to 3 seconds to well over 10.
Temperatures in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands peak in August while the highest temperatures in the Canary Islands are reached in September and October.
A boat rental in Spain doesn’t have to break your bank. You can easily spend less than for a hotel room, making it one of the most affordable destinations for a boat holiday in Europe.
Charter a sailboat in Spain for an average price of just 68 EUR per person per day. If you plan on going on a day charter in Spain rather than a week-long boat holiday, you can always charter a RIB or a speedboat. They are not made for overnight trips. Rent a RIB in Spain at an average price of 54 EUR per person per day. Renting a speedboat in Spain will cost you 85 EUR per person per day on average. Renting a catamaran or motorboat in Spain comes at a higher price, but it’s well worth it. You get to enjoy all the amenities you could dream of. Renting a catamaran will cost you 111 EUR on average per person per day. Rent a motorboat in Spain at an average price of 179 EUR per person per day.
It all depends on the type of boat holiday you envision for yourself in Spain. Do you want to relax on the beach and swim? Rent a boat with a shallow draft. Do you want to feel the wind on your skin and feel like an adventurer? Rent a sailboat and set your sail.
Pros of renting a catamaran in Spain
Rent a catamaran in Spain for the most flexibility. You can either sail with the winds when they are strong enough or drive with the engine should the wind suddenly stop blowing. This doesn’t just give you a lot of flexibility, it also means that you won’t suddenly get stuck in the middle of the sea.
A catamaran rental in Spain is perfect for you if you want to explore the most beautiful beaches Spain has to offer. Different regions in Spain showcase different kinds of landscapes and give them their own unique appearance. As catamarans have a shallow draft, you can easily access all the stunning beaches you only know from photographs right now.
Charter a catamaran in Spain if you crave the comfort of a resort holiday, but want to stay on board a boat. When chartering a catamaran you won’t have to miss out on anything! The rooms are relatively spacious and the two hulls ensure that the catamaran won’t shake as much as a boat normally would. This is particularly convenient should the wind suddenly pick up. People who easily get seasick will also benefit from this.
Cons of renting a catamaran in Spain
One of the downsides of a catamaran rental in Spain is the size of a catamaran. While you might enjoy the extra space and comfort you get from staying on a boat this big, you will also experience the difficulties that come with it when trying to find a spot for mooring. It might be difficult to navigate your catamaran to its designated spot and in many marinas you have to pay extra for bigger boats.
Pros of renting a sailboat in Spain
Charter a sailboat in Spain if you want to experience a true adventure. The wind on your skin and the salt on your lips will certainly have this effect on anyone who has set their sail to travel around Spain.
A sailboat rental in Spain is perfect for anyone who wants to practice their sailing skills. As the winds and waters in the Mediterranean are not as rough and strong as in the Atlantic Ocean, beginners will particularly enjoy this experience. More experienced sailors can opt to go sailing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Rent a sailboat in Spain if you want to go on an environmentally-friendly boat holiday in Spain. As sailboats are only fueled by the wind you won’t create extra CO2 emissions on your sailing vacation in Spain.
Cons of renting a sailboat in Spain
One of the downsides of a sailboat charter in Spain is the fact that sailboats have a keel. This means that you won’t be able to sail close to the shore to explore the many hidden bays, beaches and coves the magnificent Spanish coast has to offer.
Another downside of a sailboat rental in Spain is the fact that sailboats are only fueled by the wind. Of course, this makes sailboats incredibly environmentally friendly, but it also means that you might suddenly get stuck in the middle of the sea should the wind stop blowing from one moment to the next.
Pros of renting a motorboat in Spain
A motorboat rental in Spain is great, because you get to explore all the stunning beaches, magnificent coves and other hidden natural wonders along the Spanish coast. Motorboats have a shallow draft, so you can sail super close to the shore.
Another great thing about a motorboat charter in Spain is the fact that you get to drive from island to island, city to city or beach to beach as fast as possible. Motorboats are generally faster than other types of boats, making them ideal to explore Spain when you only have a limited amount of time available to do so.
Cons of renting a motorboat in Spain
One of the downsides of renting a motorboat in Spain is the fact that they solely run on fuel. This makes motorboats one of the most expensive options when it comes to a boat holiday in Spain. You could even expect a hefty bill in addition to your bareboat charter - just for the fuel you’re using on your trip.
Places like Marbella, Mallorca and Ibiza naturally scream luxury vacation. While it might be unattainable for most to own a luxury yacht, renting one might be an option. While there are luxury yachts in Spain that you need to spend a couple of thousand euros on, there are also more affordable luxury yachts available to charter.
You will be happy to hear that most luxury yachts will come with a fully staffed crew, meaning that you really don’t have to lift a finger while on vacation. You will have someone on board who is going to navigate the boat and someone who is there to prepare all your meals and whatever else you need.
Especially novice sailors will be happy to hear that you don’t need a boat licence in Spain to operate motorboats that are shorter than 5 metres or sailboats that are shorter than 6 metres. This is only possible for boats that cannot go faster than 15 hp. This might sound like a dream come true, but keep in mind that you can only operate these kinds of boats during the day when there is light. You are not allowed to operate any boat without a licence in Spain as soon as darkness falls.
The Licencia de Navegación allows you to operate boats that are no longer than 6 metres. However, keep in mind that you can only sail up to two miles away from the coast with this certification.
Whether you choose to sail along the eastern, northern or southern coasts or opt for a boat rental in Spain, you’ll be sure to find white sandy beaches to take in the hot summer sun, picturesque towns and cities to enjoy top-notch cuisine and impressive cultural sites. The many beautiful and tempting options can be overwhelming but, once you decide on a sailing destination in Spain, we can help with the rest.
Island-hopping around the Spanish islands: Mallorca makes a great base for island hopping. From Palma de Mallorca, sail south to visit the islands of Ibiza and Formentera or sail to Menorca from Porto Colom.
Sail around the Balearic Islands:
The Balearic Islands are located off the eastern shores of Spain’s mainland, east of Valencia and southeast of Barcelona. The island group includes the main islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and several smaller, unpopulated islands. The climate, scenery, and beaches are exceptional and the people have a reputation for being some of the most hospitable in the world. Despite the close proximity to each other, all of the islands have very diverse landscapes, historic buildings and food to offer.
The Canary Islands
A popular choice for more experienced sailors lies off the western shores of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. Situated further south from Spain’s mainland are the Canary Islands. They might be further away from mainland Spain, but well worth a visit!
This island group also makes a great place to escape the winter blues, but you’ll also be able to enjoy sailing around this piece of paradise all year long. The seven larger islands make for a perfect sailing trip, giving you a chance to explore the diverse culture, fine food, and incredible landscapes while island hopping. One of the best starting points for a sailing holiday around the Canary Islands is Lanzarote. Sail south to Fuerteventura then on to Gran Canaria before stopping in Tenerife, one of the most popular destinations in the Spanish island group.
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