Marbella has two operational charter marinas — Puerto Banús (the famous one) and Marbella Marina, officially Puerto Deportivo Virgen del Carmen. They're 7 km apart and run different fleets despite sitting on the same coastline. This page covers when to pick which, based on the boat you want and where your hotel is.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Puerto Banús | Marbella Marina |
|---|---|---|
| Berths | 915 | 377 |
| Charter fleet share | ~60% | ~25% |
| Largest yacht typical | 30m+ | 14m |
| Walking from old town | 30 min / taxi | 5-8 min |
| Parking | Underground €2/hr | Street/lot €1.50/hr |
| Restaurants on the marina | 10+ high-end | 4-5 casual |
| Vibe | Glamorous, busy | Local, relaxed |
| Best for | Luxury, groups, scene | Couples, families, locals |
Pick Puerto Banús if…
- You want a yacht over 14 metres — these boats simply don't berth at Marbella Marina.
- It's a stag, hen, birthday or corporate group — the scene is part of the experience.
- You're booking a luxury or superyacht charter — see luxury yacht rental Marbella.
- You're already staying near the marina (Marbella Club, Puente Romano, Don Carlos, anywhere along the Golden Mile west).
- You want a pre- or post-charter drink at one of the marquee marina restaurants (Mosh, Antonio's, Tikitano).
Pick Marbella Marina if…
- You're staying in Marbella old town or anywhere near the Avenida del Mar — you can walk to the boat in 5-10 minutes.
- Your group is 2-6 people on a 10-12 m yacht — most of these boats run from either marina.
- You have kids and want minimum hassle — easier parking, shorter walk, calmer atmosphere.
- You want a quieter, more local boating experience — less Instagram, more Andalucía.
- You'd rather have lunch at a Spanish chiringuito than a marquee marina restaurant.
What about Cabopino, Estepona, Sotogrande?
Marbella has three more working marinas worth knowing about. Cabopino (12 km east of Marbella) is the licence-free boat hub — see boat rental no license Marbella. It's cheaper, the marina mouth is forgiving for first-timers, and the immediate water is calmer. Estepona (25 km west) and Sotogrande (40 km west) only make sense if you're staying there — same boats, same prices, plus a 30-40 minute drive to fetch them.
By hotel area
Puerto Banús itself / Nueva Andalucía: walk to Puerto Banús, obvious choice.
Golden Mile (Marbella Club, Puente Romano, Don Pepe): Puerto Banús is 5 minutes by taxi, Marbella Marina is 10 minutes. Pick Puerto Banús unless you've booked a smaller yacht.
Marbella old town / Plaza de los Naranjos: Marbella Marina, hands down. 5-minute walk.
Cabopino / Las Chapas: Cabopino marina for licence-free; Marbella Marina or Puerto Banús for everything else (15-20 min drive).
Estepona / Sotogrande: use the local marina — same boats, same prices, no commute.
Bottom line
If price is identical (it is), the choice comes down to fleet availability and convenience to your hotel. For a luxury charter, Puerto Banús. For anything under 14 m with central-Marbella accommodation, Marbella Marina. For licence-free self-drive, Cabopino. The boat rental Marbella hub shows every option side-by-side and a WhatsApp message gets you 2-3 specific boats at your preferred port.
Frequently asked questions
Are charter prices different between the two marinas?
No — operators set the same price for the same boat regardless of departure port. What varies is the available fleet and the ancillary costs (parking, dining, taxi to your hotel).
Which is easier with kids?
Marbella Marina. Central, walking distance from old-town hotels, less imposing for first-timers, calmer water on exit. Puerto Banús is more impressive but busier on summer Saturdays.
Where's better for a luxury yacht charter?
Puerto Banús, no contest. The 18m+ yachts are concentrated here, the infrastructure is built for the luxury segment, and the experience itself is part of the day.
Which marina is easier to find by GPS?
Both have clear directions in Google Maps and Waze. Puerto Banús is exit 175 off the A-7; Marbella Marina is signposted from the central Marbella exits. Underground parking at Puerto Banús has its own GPS pin; Marbella Marina parking is street-level near the Avenida del Mar.
Are there restaurants right at the marina?
Puerto Banús has 10+ marquee restaurants on the marina edge — Antonio's, Mosh, Tikitano. Marbella Marina is quieter with 4-5 casual places (Skina, La Pesquera, Bodega La Venencia within walking distance). Both let you book a boat charter and have lunch within the same 30-minute walk.