Between the marina and the cove there is a stretch with its own rules. Knowing them is what lets you enjoy the anchorage without bothering anyone or getting a fine.
Near the beach, Spain’s coastal regulations apply: you may not navigate inside buoyed swimming areas, and where there are no buoys the swimming area covers 200 metres from the shoreline on beaches and 50 metres along the rest of the coast. Inside that strip the maximum speed is 3 knots, and to reach the sand you use the marked channels.
Jet skis also have their own rule: outside buoyed swimming areas, more than 200 metres from the beach if there are no buoys, entering and leaving through the channel or at right angles at no more than 3 knots, and 50 metres from any other craft. For any boat, the right speed is the one that lets you stop or get out of the way in time.
Slowly and on the right. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, which Spain has applied since 1977, require each vessel in a narrow passage or channel to keep as close as possible to the edge on its starboard side, the right-hand side. And vessels under 20 metres must not get in the way of those that can only navigate safely inside the channel.
The same regulations ask you to avoid anchoring in a narrow channel and not to cross it if that gets in another vessel’s way. At the entrance to a marina boats are coming in and going out at the same time, so the manoeuvre is done calmly, looking both ways and with everyone seated until the boat reaches open water.
A safe speed. Rule 6 of the collision regulations gives no figure for open water: it asks you to go at a speed that lets you manoeuvre in time and stop within a suitable distance, according to visibility, traffic, the boat’s manoeuvrability, the wind, the state of the sea and the proximity of hazards. Near the coast, with swimmers, boards and kayaks, that means going slowly.
A figure does appear for the swimming strip without buoys: 3 knots at most, about 5.5 kilometres per hour. Jet skis carry that same figure on the compulsory plate with their basic rules, which applies it to channels and marinas, to the channels of buoyed beaches, to swimming areas without buoys and to approaching the beach at right angles.
Up to the line of buoys, if the beach is buoyed. Spain’s coastal regulations prohibit sports and recreational navigation inside those areas, and the use of any craft or floating device driven by sail or engine. For whoever is at the helm, the line of buoys is the edge of the beach, and inside it the water belongs to the swimmers.
If there are no buoys, the rules treat the swimming area as covering 200 metres from the shoreline on beaches and 50 metres along the rest of the coast. Inside that strip you go at no more than 3 knots and with the precautions needed not to put anyone at risk, and any discharge from the boat is prohibited, whether waste water, oil or rubbish.
For reaching or leaving the sand without crossing among swimmers. Spain’s coastal regulations require boats to be launched and beached through properly marked channels, and the jet ski rules place them at the ends of beaches, to go out until you have passed the outer edge of the swimming area.
Inside the channel you go at no more than 3 knots. Where there is no channel or buoys, a jet ski may only cross the 200-metre strip to beach or to head out to sea, at right angles to the coast and at reduced speed. If, when approaching a beach, you see no channel, the right thing is to stay outside the buoys and anchor there.
Outside the buoyed swimming area and with room for the boat to swing with the wind without getting close to other boats or to the line of buoys. The safety equipment rules for recreational boats require the anchor line to be at least five times the boat’s length, and on boats of up to 6 metres it may be all rope, with no chain.
Before dropping anchor it is worth checking which way the boat will swing and whether there are swimmers or boards nearby. With someone in the water near the stern, the engine stays off. On the 4-metre boat and the motorboats, the briefing before setting off includes how to anchor; on a boat with a skipper, the skipper chooses the spot according to the day’s wind.
For jet skis the figure is written down: at least 50 metres from any other jet ski, floating craft, ship or boat, keeping away from the area where boats are anchored. They are also forbidden from riding inside harbour areas, except in marinas. For boats, the reference is safe speed: being able to stop or get out of the way in time.
With swimmers, kayaks and paddle boards nearby, good sense means passing wide and slowly, because from the water a boat is seen late and the wash unbalances anyone standing on a board. If a swimmer has gone beyond the buoys, whoever is at the helm slows down and gives them room, even though the swimmer is outside their area.
The forecast. It is worth checking the sea forecast before setting off: the official reference is the AEMET marine forecast for the coastal waters of Málaga, and the home page of the website shows the wind, waves and water temperature off Fuengirola every half hour. With a westerly the chop builds in the afternoon, and with the easterly levante a swell comes in.
And the rules on board: life jacket on, children seated in the cockpit, no alcohol for whoever is at the helm, and VHF channel 16 or 112 to call for help, as well as Salvamento Marítimo on 900 202 202. The rest of the guidance on safety at sea, including what is checked before every trip, is on its own page.
If it is not here, call us: two minutes on the phone and it is sorted.
Outside the buoyed swimming area. If there are no buoys, the swimming area covers 200 metres from the shoreline on beaches and 50 along the rest of the coast, and inside it the limit is 3 knots.
No. Spain’s coastal regulations prohibit recreational navigation and any sail or engine-driven craft inside buoyed swimming areas. You anchor outside the line of buoys.
50 metres from any other jet ski, floating craft, ship or boat, under Royal Decree 259/2002, which also requires keeping away from the area where boats are anchored.
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.
