Puerto Banús makes more sense from out at sea than from the quayside. A morning or an afternoon on a boat is enough, if you choose the course, the time and the boat well.
Half a day on a boat from Puerto Banús can take one of two courses: east, along the coast to Marbella marina, which lies about 6 km away next to the old town; or west, towards Estepona. The boat is chosen to suit the group: a 12.2 m sailing boat for 9 people, yachts for 12 or 15, and a schooner for 36.
The time of day matters as much as the course. On this coast the sea breeze comes in from midday and raises a chop, so anyone after a flat sea for swimming and anchoring should go out in the morning. The afternoon, with a little more wind, suits the sailing boat, and the last hour before sunset lights the coast from the side.
First, the marina itself, which from inside is a quay full of boats and from outside can be seen whole, with the rows of moorings and the coast behind. A few minutes after leaving, the boat is already running parallel to the shore, and from there you can see how the beaches and developments are spread along the coastline.
If the course is towards Marbella, the run to its marina is about 6 km of coast. That marina sits right next to Marbella’s old town, which serves as a landmark for how far you have come. That marina is also home to the catamaran in the fleet, 11.5 m long, for 12 people and with cabins.
It depends on what the group wants and on the wind that day. Towards Marbella the run is short, about 6 km, and leaves time to anchor and swim on the way out or back. Towards Estepona the route goes the other way, west, and the skipper decides how far to go in the time booked without rushing.
A practical rule on this coast: with a westerly the chop builds in the afternoon, and with an easterly a swell comes in. That is why the course is not fully settled until the day itself. If the forecast does not allow a safe trip, the date is changed at no cost, and the website’s home page shows wind and waves every half hour.
Whichever fits the number of people. The 12.2 m sailing boat takes up to 9 passengers and always goes out with a skipper, who can also teach you to handle it. The 21.7 m and 31.7 m yachts take 12 and 15 passengers, and the 24.1 m schooner takes up to 36 people: the option when the group does not fit on a yacht.
If the plan includes fishing, Puerto Banús has three fishing boats of 10.9 m, 12.5 m and 13.7 m, for 8, 10 and 10 people. Half-day fishing trips last 4 to 5 hours and start at first light, between 7 and 8, so they suit early risers better than anyone looking for an afternoon out.
The yachts and the schooner carry a full crew: the skipper steers, anchors and is responsible for safety, and the rest of the crew looks after guests on board. Boats over 24 m also carry a second deckhand. On the sailing boat and the fishing boats the skipper always comes, so nobody in the group needs a licence.
On the yachts, the crew is included. What is paid separately is fuel for long routes, catering and berths in other marinas, and all of it comes with a written quote before booking. Always included are a life jacket for everyone on board, safety equipment checked before every trip and the boat’s insurance.
On the A-7, about 28 km and around half an hour by car. Puerto Banús has a paid underground car park that fills up in August, so in high summer it is worth arriving early or sharing a car. The Puerto Banús boats leave from there: you do not board in Fuengirola for this route.
If the group is staying in Fuengirola and would rather not drive, the alternative is to leave from the Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, home to the skippered motor boats and the 4-metre boat, which is handled with the Spanish navigation licence (licencia de navegación). The route is different, but you save the journey, which with children or a large group counts for more than it seems.
In July and August, several days ahead, and more so for a weekend. In June and September, the mid season, there is more room; from October to May it can be arranged from one day to the next. Rates are not published: they are given over the phone on +34 669 06 27 56, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00 and at weekends from 10:00 to 18:00.
When you call, it helps to know the number of people, whether there are children and how old they are, your preferred time and whether you want to anchor for a swim. With those four details a boat, a course and a suitable length of trip can be suggested. If you need catering, ask for it then so that it goes into the written quote.
A soft bag rather than a hard case, shoes with soles that do not mark the deck and no glass. Swimwear on, a towel, a cap, sunglasses with a strap and sun cream, renewed every two hours even on a cloudy day. For your phone, a waterproof pouch if you are going to use it near the water.
With children, life jackets in their size, which you need to ask for when booking, and always seated in the cockpit, never on the bow. Whoever takes the helm, if the skipper lets you try on the sailing boat, does not drink alcohol. And if someone gets seasick easily, the morning trip, on a calmer sea, is better than the afternoon one.
If it is not here, call us: two minutes on the phone and it is sorted.
About 30 minutes by car on the A-7, roughly 28 km. The underground car park is paid and fills up in August, so it is worth arriving early.
No. The Puerto Banús boats go out with a skipper or a full crew, and it is the skipper who steers, anchors and is responsible for safety.
The 24.1 m schooner, which takes up to 36 people and carries a full crew. The fleet’s yachts in Puerto Banús take 12 and 15 passengers.
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.
