From October to May the sea is still there and so are the boats. What changes is the light, the clothing and the way you book.
Boating in autumn and winter on the Costa del Sol is possible as long as you pick a calm day. October to May is low season: trips are booked from one day to the next, there is more freedom to choose the boat and the time, and it is the forecast that decides the date. If the chosen day does not allow a safe trip, the date is changed at no cost.
What changes is the light and the clothing. The days are shorter, so trips start earlier, and the boats driven by the customer have to be back in daylight. In early autumn the water is still warm: on 2 October 2026 it was 23.2 °C off Fuengirola. Later in winter, on board you need layers and something to keep out the wind.
By checking the direction and strength of the wind one or two days ahead. Below fifteen knots almost everything is possible; between fifteen and twenty the light kit is called off; above twenty only the large boats go out. Since in low season bookings are made from one day to the next, you can wait to see the forecast before calling.
The official reference is the AEMET marine forecast for the coastal waters of Málaga, and the sea conditions off Fuengirola, with wind, waves and water temperature, is on the home page of the website every half hour. The easterly wind deserves a second look: it brings a swell even when it blows lightly, and from inside the marina you cannot see it.
Bottom fishing is the one that belongs most to winter. The targets are red porgy, dentex and blackspot seabream, with departure at first light, between seven and eight, for a half day of four to five hours or a full day of eight. The fishing boats carry rod holders, a live bait well, a fish finder and a cool box, and have gear on board for anyone who does not bring their own.
Dolphin watching has its place too, because bottlenose dolphins live off this coast all year round. The trip lasts one to two hours, ideally first thing in the morning on a flat sea, and sightings are not guaranteed in any season. A two-hour trip on a motorboat run by a skipper, anchoring off the coast, is the simplest thing to arrange.
The large boats in Puerto Banús are hired for a half day, a full day or several days, and go out with a crew. The 31.7-metre yacht takes 15 passengers by day and sleeps 8, in two double cabins and two twin cabins. The crew is included; fuel for long routes, catering and berths in other marinas are extra, with a written quote.
From Fuengirola it is about 28 kilometres on the A-7, around half an hour by car, and the underground car park at the marina is paid. For a very large group, the 23.7-metre catamaran in Málaga takes up to 100 passengers, but it only goes out as a private event, with catering arranged separately, and needs weeks of notice in any month of the year.
Layers. A T-shirt, a jumper or fleece over it and a windproof jacket, ideally water-repellent. When the boat is moving, the air rushing past chills you more than on land, and a pleasant morning on the seafront feels cool on deck. A hat or cap, and sunglasses, because the low winter sun dazzles off the water.
Footwear follows the summer rule: light soles that do not mark the deck. In the soft bag, a change of clothes, a towel and a waterproof pouch for your phone in case of spray. Sun cream goes too, reapplied every two hours. The life jacket is included, one per crew member, and is worn over your warm clothes.
Everything moves earlier. In December it gets dark much sooner than in June, and the boats driven by the customer have to be back in daylight and inside the authorised area. A trip that in summer starts after lunch is better set for mid-morning in winter, which is also when the sun has started to warm things up a little.
The office at the Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, unit 367, opens Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00 and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00, and you can drop in to see the boats before deciding. Bookings are made by phone, on +34 669 06 27 56, or by leaving your number in the form on the website.
Beach activities depend on the day more than boat trips do, because the limit for light kit is fifteen knots. With the land wind that blows from the north or north-west, boards and anything paddled drift away from the shore even when the water looks still. Before going, a phone call confirms what can be done on that date.
For any activity where you end up in the water, once the sea has cooled, your own wetsuit, if you have one, makes it more comfortable. A big towel and dry clothes waiting on land do the rest. Early autumn works in your favour: with the water at 23.2 °C on 2 October 2026, swimwear is still enough.
Hardly. From October to May trips are arranged from one day to the next, and the only exception is the large catamaran in Málaga, which always needs weeks. Rates are not published: they are given over the phone for the specific boat and date, and in hourly rates the fuel is included.
The practical approach is to call with two possible dates, let the forecast decide and keep whichever one turns out calm. If the chosen day is spoilt, it is changed at no cost. For a half day or a full day the fuel is topped up on return and you pay for what was used, and on boats without a skipper a deposit is left, which is returned in full.
If it is not here, call us: two minutes on the phone and it is sorted.
Yes. October to May is low season and trips are booked from one day to the next. You choose a calm day and, if the forecast is not right, the date is changed at no cost.
In winter the fishing is on the bottom: red porgy, dentex and blackspot seabream. Trips start at first light and last a half day or a full day.
Bottlenose dolphins live off this coast all year round, so the trip can be done in any season. Sightings are not guaranteed; first thing in the morning on a flat sea is best.
Layers, a windproof jacket, a hat, sunglasses and light-soled shoes. The life jacket is included and is worn over your clothes.
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.
