A birthday party at sea goes well when every child has a life jacket, there is an adult for every few children and the sun gets as much thought as the activity.
Three activities work for a children’s birthday party at sea: the banana boat, always with an adult on board; the double kayak, with an adult paddling alongside the child; and a short boat trip with a swim. All three leave from the Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola or the beach next to it, and in all three a life jacket is included and worn the whole time, including during the swim.
What shapes a children’s birthday party at sea most is the sun, more than the activity you choose. That is why a short morning with two activities and breaks in the shade works better than a whole afternoon in the water. When booking, say how many children are coming and how old they are, so that there is a life jacket in each child’s size and the company can confirm what each child can do.
The banana boat is a long inflatable on which four to six people sit in a row, towed by a speedboat. It is booked per group and children always ride with an adult, so each round needs at least one seat for a grown-up. With ten children and two adults, that means two or three rounds, depending on how many adults ride in each one.
Life jackets are compulsory and you can ask the driver to go gently, which is the sensible choice with small children on the first run. The banana boat usually ends with everyone in the water, and a child will either love that or be scared by it: it is worth asking at home first. The donut, for one or two people, is the shorter version.
Yes, because kayaking needs no learning: you get in, paddle and come back. In a double kayak an adult sits at the back and steers, and the child sits at the front and paddles as much as they like. For a party it works in turns: while some paddle near the shore, the rest wait on the sand with the other adults.
Timing matters more than for any other activity. First thing in the morning the water is usually flat; from midday the sea breeze comes in. And watch out for the offshore wind from the north or north-west, which pushes kayaks and boards away from the shore. When that wind blows, the kayak should stay close to the shore.
A short trip on a boat with a skipper gives time to cruise along the coast, anchor off a beach and swim from the stern platform. For children it is more comfortable than a long trip, because the swim comes early and the boat does not spend hours in the sun. The one-hour boat party format, for up to twelve people, suits a small group including the adults.
On board, children sit in the cockpit and never on the bow, wearing a life jacket in their size rather than keeping it stowed. The boat’s maximum capacity is never exceeded, and each child counts as one more place. No glass on board, and no confetti or loose balloons: whatever the wind takes ends up in the sea and cannot be picked up.
Jet skis can only be driven by an adult aged 18 or over; under-18s can ride as passengers, behind the driver. In parasailing people fly alone, in pairs or in threes depending on each person’s weight, which you give when booking. For the board sports towed behind a speedboat you need to be able to swim, which rules out the youngest.
The minimum age for each activity is confirmed when booking, with each child’s age and size. For a party, the practical choice is an activity that every guest can join, because if half of them are left watching from the sand the party splits into two groups and those waiting get bored.
A cap, a T-shirt, water-resistant sun cream renewed every two hours and plenty of water to hand. A long-sleeved top for the water is the best protection on the banana boat or in a kayak, because sun cream lasts less with every swim. The middle hours of the day in July and August are the worst time to have a group of children out in the sun.
A towel and a dry T-shirt per child for afterwards, and a soft bag per family instead of rigid backpacks, which get in the way on board. In summer the offshore wind is also hot, so on those days it is worth shortening the plan. The snacks and the cake are better on land and in the shade, after the activity.
Enough for every activity to have its own. On the banana boat children always ride with an adult; in the double kayak, the sensible ratio is one adult per child; and on the boat someone has to make sure the children stay seated in the cockpit. With a group of ten children, four or five adults allow for turns without rushing.
As well as those taking part, you need someone on the sand with the children who are waiting, the bag of towels and the water. Whoever is at the helm, if you choose a boat the group drives itself, drinks no alcohol; at a children’s party the easiest option is to go out with a skipper so that all the adults can keep an eye on the children.
In July and August, several days ahead, especially if the birthday falls at a weekend. From October to May, calling the day before on +34 669 06 27 56 is usually enough. Prices are given by phone, and it helps to have the number of children, the number of adults and their ages to hand so that everything is settled in a single call.
If the forecast does not allow a safe trip, the date is changed at no cost. With less than 15 knots almost everything goes out; between 15 and 20 the light kit, such as kayaks and boards, is called off. The home page of the website shows wind, waves and water temperature every half hour: on 2 October 2026, the water off Fuengirola was at 23.2 °C.
If it is not here, call us: two minutes on the phone and it is sorted.
Everyone on board has a life jacket included. To make sure there is one in each child’s size, say how many children are coming and how old they are when booking.
No. On the banana boat children always ride with an adult, wearing a life jacket, and you can ask the driver to go gently.
Not loose balloons or confetti, because whatever the wind takes ends up in the sea. No glass comes on board either.
If the forecast does not allow a safe trip, the date is changed at no cost. Between 15 and 20 knots, kayaks and boards are called off.
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.
