Navigate the Summer: Boat Rentals on the Costa del Sol

This summer, experience the Costa del Sol from a different perspective: from the sea. Renting a boat is much more than a leisure activity, it's a unique experience that combines freedom, luxury, and unforgettable landscapes. Whether it's for a romantic getaway, a day out with friends, or a special celebration, the Mediterranean Sea awaits you.

From Puerto Banús, Marbella, Estepona, or Málaga, you can choose from a wide variety of vessels: sailboats, catamarans, motorboats, or luxury yachts. With or without a skipper, by the hour or by the day, you decide how you want to enjoy it.

Imagine anchoring in front of hidden coves, swimming in crystal-clear waters, engaging in water sports, or watching the sunset with a drink in hand. Boat rental allows you to discover the Costa del Sol with total privacy and comfort, away from the hustle and bustle of the busiest beaches.

Moreover, many companies offer personalized services: onboard catering, music, paddle surfing, snorkeling, and guided tours to spot dolphins or explore the Andalusian coast.

This summer, swap your towel for a deck. Discover the true Mediterranean luxury by sailing the Costa del Sol.

We spoke with two leading companies in the sector to detail their activities and offerings.

Solnautic Rent: Boat rentals to enjoy the sea with freedom and safety

With the arrival of summer, nautical tourism becomes one of the main attractions of the Costa del Sol. Sailing in warm waters, magical sunsets, discovering marine corners from another perspective, and feeling the freedom of the open sea are experiences increasingly sought after by both national and international travelers. In this context, companies like Solnautic Rent make it possible for even those without a boating license to enjoy the sea at the helm of their own boat.

We spoke with José, one of its founders, a businessman and sea enthusiast, who, along with Julián, the other founder, turned an unforgettable personal experience into a tourism initiative that today brings sailing to all types of audiences.

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How long have you been in the sector?

Solnautic Rent is an initiative born from two entrepreneur friends. Our journey began in 2020, during the pandemic and under very challenging conditions for a business of this type, due to the significant drop in tourism caused by Covid-19. Our idea started by chance, on March 11, 2017, the day we rented a boat to try fishing at sea.

This experience was fantastic, but the moment the captain allowed us to steer the boat, we discovered a unique sensation of peace and freedom that you can only perceive when sailing in the open sea.

It was unforgettable, to such an extent that we decided to obtain a boating license and began to sail. Eventually, we decided to turn our passion into a business. Today, we are located in Puerto Marina (Benalmádena) and Puerto Banús (Marbella) with a fleet of seven boats.

What services do you offer? Are they among the most demanded currently?

Our main service is the rental of license-free boats in Benalmádena and Marbella, although we also have a boat available for rental with a navigation license.

We have specialized in renting boats that do not require a license, as it is a way to enable a larger number of people to enjoy the sea and sailing. These types of boats only require that the client be of legal age (18 years) and, thanks to this, a broad age range has access to our rental boats. In this way, we offer the possibility of enjoying the experience of sailing on the Costa del Sol to a large number of people at affordable prices that, without this type of license-free boats, they could never do.

The rental process is simple. Clients make a reservation for one of our boats and, once they arrive at the port, must present their valid ID or passport so that our port manager can prepare the contract (mandatory for setting sail).

Speaking of the vessels, what types of models does your company offer and how many hours a day are they operating?

Currently, we have a fleet of seven boats, in Benalmádena 4 boats for license-free rental and one boat for rental with a license. In Marbella, we have 2 boats for license-free rental.

The license-free boats must have a maximum length of 5 meters and a maximum engine power of 15 HP. They usually have a capacity for six people in total. Within our fleet, we have two trimarans for license-free rental, one in Benalmádena and another in Marbella.

Our boats are easy to handle and are ideal for beginners and families.

Regarding the schedule we offer to our clients, we adapt to the hours allowed for sailing with this type of license-free boats, as they can only be used during daylight. Therefore, the duration of daylight marks our customer service hours.

What prevention systems do you teach to clients for the vessels? And what type of clients hire your services?

Our instructors provide training to clients before setting sail, as some have no previous experience with boats. We explain all the boat's operations, techniques for sailing, safety rules, navigation limits, etc.

Sailing with license-free boats is restricted to daylight hours and a maximum distance of two nautical miles from the coast.

Regarding our clients, we are fortunate to have people from a wide variety of countries around the world. We also have groups of friends, families, couples, etc., who want to enjoy the experience. In other words, everyone is welcome to rent our boats and enjoy the experience of sailing with Solnautic Rent.

Would you like to highlight any interesting facts for the readers?

Our clients will never feel alone at sea, as the instructors will be in telephone contact with them to resolve any doubts or problems. Additionally, our boats are geolocated to assist them quickly if necessary.

Our rental boats are constantly checked. For this, we have the services of an expert nautical mechanic, and each of the boats is equipped with mandatory safety equipment. Likewise, all have mandatory insurance and additional insurance for each client on board.

For us, the client's experience is the most important thing. Therefore, we offer personalized attention from the reservation until the end of the experience.

"At sea, life is different, it's not made of hours but of moments": Sailwiz reinvents boat holidays, cheaper than going to a hotel

Imagine waking up each morning in a different cove, surrounded by turquoise sea, without crowds, without rigid schedules, and with the freedom to be carried by the wind. That's what living a holiday on a boat is like: a unique experience and increasingly popular among those looking to disconnect from routine and connect with nature in an active way. Sailing in summer has become a real alternative to traditional tourism, allowing the discovery of inaccessible spots by land, engaging in activities like snorkeling or paddle surfing, and sharing journeys with other travelers in a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere. What once seemed reserved for a few, today presents itself as an accessible, flexible, and, in many cases, even more economical option than staying in a hotel.

In this context, Sailwiz was born, a Spanish platform founded in 2017 with a clear mission: to bring nautical tourism to the general public. Sailwiz connects people who want to spend their holidays on a boat with professional skippers and navigation companies that organize routes in more than 40 countries. From sailing trips around Ibiza to crossing the Atlantic, Sailwiz offers options for all levels of experience and budgets.

What is Sailwiz and what is its origin?

Sailwiz was born in 2017 in Spain with the goal of popularizing and making nautical tourism more accessible. Its aim is to connect people who want to spend their holidays on a boat with professional skippers and companies that organize multi-day trips.

Currently, it offers proposals in more than 40 countries. Most plans consist of a week of sailing on recreational boats or catamarans for 6 to 10 people. The most popular destinations in summer are the Balearic Islands and Mediterranean countries, while during the rest of the year, users seek more exotic destinations, fewer days, or more ambitious adventures like crossing the Atlantic by sailboat. 

How much does it cost to spend a week sailing on a boat?

Most of the weekly proposals cost from 100 to 200 euros per day per person. In some popular destinations, like Ibiza, it's cheaper to sail on a Sailwiz boat than to book a hotel room, and the experience is better, as you wake up each day in a different cove and beach.

There are premium experiences, which include a chef on board, a yoga instructor, or other activities, but most of the plans are designed to break the myth that sailing is only for wealthy people. There are offers, for example, of last-minute trips on boats at low prices, and those who are attentive get real bargains.

What types of people book with Sailwiz?

We have more than 30,000 users and it's a diverse audience in age and interests. Most are people who want to share the experience, some are just starting to sail, others have been doing it their whole lives, and for many, it's their first experience. Almost all the people who book with Sailwiz travel alone, in couples, or two or three friends together.

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Why is nautical perceived as a luxury activity in Spain?

Due to lack of knowledge and because the media and politicians talk more about the yachts of millionaires and celebrities than about the 80% of nautical activity, which involves small recreational vessels, sailing clubs, charter companies, or shared boat trips, which are very competitively priced leisure and tourism proposals. At Sailwiz, we work to spread projects within reach of the majority.

Sailwiz also offers nautical courses, what do they involve?

We work with the most important nautical schools in Spain, Germany, and Italy. Many who sail for the first time "get the bug" to learn to sail, have basic knowledge to handle the vessel, and participate in the maneuvers. At Sailwiz, it is possible to purchase the courses and practices necessary to obtain any navigation license.

What are Sailwiz's goals for the future?

Nautical tourism has enormous potential and is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. Since the pandemic, the offer has increased in quantity and quality, and more and more users repeat the experience. Currently, Sailwiz is immersed in an internationalization plan and, looking ahead to next year, plans to reinforce its collaboration with sailing clubs, which allow sailing all year round through a monthly fee.