The sea on the Costa del Sol changes through the day. Ordering the activities around those changes is what makes a good day rather than an uncomfortable one.
A day at sea in Fuengirola works best when it follows the wind: boards and kayaks first thing, on flat water; a boat or jet ski mid-morning; and parasailing, the banana boat or a sunset trip in the afternoon. Everything leaves from the Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola and the beach next to it, so there is no need to take the car all day.
The reason is the sea breeze. On this coast, from midday a wind comes in off the sea and raises a chop, which does not bother a large boat but does bother anyone standing on a board. So whatever needs flat water goes first, and whatever copes with a little swell goes later.
The activities that depend on flat water, such as paddle boarding, kayaking and dolphin watching. Of all the water sports, they are the ones that gain most from an early start. Between nine and eleven the water is usually still, few boats are moving close to the shore and the sun is not yet strong, which is what you appreciate most when paddling.
For paddle boarding, one hour is enough on the first day: half an hour of lesson and half an hour to enjoy it. A double kayak suits couples or an adult with a child. The dolphin trip makes sense at that hour for the same reason: on a flat sea you can spot fins from a long way off.
That is the time for the boat and the jet ski. A two-hour trip on a boat with a skipper gives time to cruise along the coast, anchor off a beach and swim at leisure before lunch. If someone in the group holds the Spanish PNB (basic navigation licence) and would rather take the helm, there are 6.6 to 6.9 metre motorboats to go out without a skipper.
Jet skis are hired in fifteen-minute slots from the beach. One or two slots are plenty; more than forty minutes in a row tires your wrists and back, so it works better as part of the day than as the whole day.
Whatever copes with a little chop and whatever looks better in low light. Parasailing is about twelve minutes in the air, at thirty to fifty metres, taking off and landing on the boat without touching the water. The banana boat and the donut are group rides that end with everyone in the sea, which is exactly what you feel like mid-afternoon.
To finish, the last hour before sunset is the best of the day to be on a boat: the coast is lit from the side and the heat eases off. It is the time chosen for boat parties and celebration trips.
With fewer activities and more breaks. First thing, a double kayak with an adult; mid-morning, a short boat trip with a swim from the platform; and in the afternoon, the banana boat with an adult alongside, asking the driver to go more gently. Life jackets are included and worn the whole time.
What tires a child most at sea is the sun, not the activity. A cap, a T-shirt, sun cream renewed every two hours and water to hand. And when booking, say how many children are coming and how old they are, so that there are life jackets in their size.
In July and August it is worth booking several days ahead, especially the boat and weekend trips.
From October to May almost everything can be arranged from one day to the next. A single call to +34 669 06 27 56 is enough to fit the times together so there is no waiting between one activity and the next.
A soft bag rather than a hard case, because rigid luggage gets in the way on board. Inside: swimwear on from home, a towel, a cap, water-resistant sun cream, sunglasses with a strap and plenty of water. For the boat, light-soled shoes that do not mark the deck.
And two things you will be glad of at the end of the day: a dry T-shirt for the trip home and a waterproof pouch for your phone, which on a jet ski or in a kayak is the only thing that keeps it safe. What you do not need to bring is a life jacket: it is included in every activity, for everyone on board.
You change the order or change the date. With a light westerly only the light kit suffers, and the paddle boarding can move to the next morning. With the easterly levante and a swell, the small activities are called off, and anything that cannot be done safely is moved to another date at no cost.
Before leaving home it is worth checking the sea conditions on the home page of the website, which shows the wind, waves and water temperature off Fuengirola every half hour. On 2 October 2026, for example, the water was at 23.2 °C.
If it is not here, call us: two minutes on the phone and it is sorted.
Yes. The boats, jet skis, boards and activities leave from the Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola and the beach next to it. Only the large boats in Puerto Banús, Marbella, Estepona and Málaga require a journey.
First thing in the morning, between nine and eleven, before the sea breeze comes in and raises a chop.
If the forecast does not allow a safe trip, the date is changed at no cost. With a light westerly, changing the order of the activities is sometimes enough.
Leave us your number and we will call you. In July and August it is worth booking ahead.
Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, local 367. You can drop in and see the boats before you book.
At no charge. Going out to see what happens is never worth it.
Life jackets for everyone on board, included in the price.
