Puerto Banús is the marina you've already seen in Instagram reels — superyachts moored stern-to along Pier 1, Lamborghinis parked nose-out on Calle Ribera, and the Bocaccio nightclub a 90-second walk from the pontoon. It's also the practical centre of Marbella yacht charter: roughly 60% of bookable inventory on the Costa del Sol berths here. Boat rental from Puerto Banús starts at €250 for a 2-hour skippered trip.
Popular boats departing from Puerto Banús
Our fleet: Astondoa 40 'Fufi' and Azimut 39 (both 12.5 m, €749–€2,299 for 2–8 hours). For luxury charters, we also coordinate Mangusta 80 'Nina' (24 m superyacht, €4,719+). Browse full fleet pricing in our pricing guide or visit our boats page for photos, specs, and availability.
Why Puerto Banús dominates Marbella boat rental
Three reasons it's the default departure port:
- Depth and berth size. Puerto Banús has 915 berths and the deepest harbour mouth on the Marbella stretch — the only marina locally that can routinely accommodate yachts over 30 metres. If you want a true luxury charter, you'll be here.
- Fleet concentration. Sixty per cent of charter inventory between Estepona and Cabopino is moored at Puerto Banús. Catamarans, sportfishers, party yachts and crewed superyachts cluster here.
- Marina infrastructure. Refuelling, fresh water, electrical hook-up, marine chandlers and ten dockside restaurants for pre-boarding lunch — Puerto Banús has all of it within a 5-minute walk. Puerto Banús vs Marbella Marina breaks down the trade-offs for non-Banús options.
Where to meet the boat
Puerto Banús is laid out as eight long parallel pontoons running south-east into the harbour, numbered 1 through 8 from west to east:
| Pier | Typical fleet | Walk from car park |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Superyachts 30 m+, charter brokers | 3 min |
| 2–3 | Luxury motor yachts 14–22 m | 5 min |
| 4–5 | Motor yachts 10–14 m, catamarans | 6 min |
| 6 | Sportfishers, sailing yachts | 7 min |
| 7 | Day boats, licence-free, small sailboats | 8 min |
| 8 | Working fleet, fuel dock | 10 min |
Your charter will send you the exact pier and slip number 24 hours before. Show up 15 minutes early — Mediterranean charters leave on time, and missing the slot in summer often means losing the booking.
Parking, food and pre-board essentials
Parking: Aparcamiento Puerto Banús (underground) is the only sane option in July and August. €2/hour, €18 for the day. Free street parking exists west of the marina but never works mid-summer. Quick lunch before boarding: Antonio's Beach Club (tapas, walking distance), Picasso (Spanish, faster service), or grab a bocadillo from the SuperSol on Calle Ribera. Forgot something: Galerías El Corte Inglés (5-minute walk west) for sunscreen, swimwear, hats, electronics, and a basic pharmacy.
What to do in Puerto Banús before or after your charter
Puerto Banús is a destination in itself. Before your charter, walk the marina: Lamborghini spotting on Calle Ribera, luxury watch shops, designer boutiques. After returning:
- Lunch/dinner: Bocaccio (famous nightclub + dinner), Zenzero (tapas), El Toro Bravo (steakhouse), La Brasserie (French). All within 2-minute walk of the pontoons.
- Sunset drinks: Lounge bars overlooking the marina (Sinatra, Eden Club, Pangea) — book a table before boarding and return for golden hour drinks.
- Shopping: Boutiques and jewellers line Avenida de la Bonaventura. Galerías El Corte Inglés has 3 levels of clothing, electronics, and pharmacy.
- Nearby beaches: Playa de Fontanilla (5-minute walk west, less crowded) or hop in a taxi to Playa de Marbella (15 min, central promenade) for sunset beach time.
- Evening entertainment: Bocaccio nightclub opens at 23:00 (post-charter dinner + clubbing is a classic combo) or quieter wine bars on Calle Ribera.
Getting to Puerto Banús from major points
Planning your day? Here are typical travel times to Puerto Banús:
- Málaga airport: 50 minutes by car (rental car or taxi); 60 minutes by transfer service
- Marbella town centre: 15 minutes by car or taxi
- Marbella old town (Plaza de la Iglesia): 10 minutes by taxi
- Golden Mile hotels: 10-20 minutes by taxi (depending on which hotel)
- Estepona: 25 minutes by car (western day trips possible)
- Sotogrande: 35 minutes by car (popular multi-day itinerary starting point)
Local knowledge: Puerto Banús vs other Marbella marinas
Choosing a departure port? Puerto Banús wins if you want: luxury superyachts (24m+), the widest boat selection, and the energy of the marina scene. Marbella Marina (central location, 10-minute walk to old town) is better if you're staying in the old town and want simplicity. Cabopino (east) and Estepona (west) are quieter alternatives. See our Puerto Banús vs Marbella Marina comparison for details.
Puerto Banús boat rental prices 2026
| Boat | 2 h | 4 h | Full day | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License-free 5 m | €180 | €280 | €450 | 4-5 |
| Motor yacht 10-12 m | €275 | €550 | €900 | 8-10 |
| Sail catamaran 40 ft | — | €420 | €1,250 | 10-12 |
| Sportfisher 10 m | — | €520 | €950 | 6 |
| Luxury yacht 18-22 m | €900 | €1,800 | €2,800 | 10-12 |
| Superyacht 25 m+ | €1,500 | €2,800 | €4,500+ | 12-20 |
Pier 7 holds the licence-free boats — see no-license boat rental Marbella for the full rules.
Typical departures from Puerto Banús
Westbound: head past Estepona, anchor at Cala del Faro for a swim, optional lunch at Sotogrande, return as the sun sets behind Gibraltar. Eastbound: motor along the Golden Mile, swim off Río Verde, push on to Nikki Beach for a tender-in lunch, back via the central Marbella coastline. Sunset 2-hour: a slow westbound cruise to Río Verde and back, perfect for couples — full details on the dedicated sunset cruise Marbella page.
How busy does Puerto Banús get?
July and August Saturdays: extremely busy. The harbour mouth is single-file traffic with 80–100 boats leaving between 11:00 and 12:00, and the same crowd returning between 17:00 and 19:00. Skippers manage this competently but you'll wait 10–15 minutes at the exit. May, June and September are calmer; weekdays are calm all summer. October through April the marina is half-empty.
Booking a charter from Puerto Banús
WhatsApp the date, group size and which fleet category interests you. We send back 2–3 specific boats moored at Puerto Banús with photos, exact pier number and pricing. Same flow works for last-minute weekday bookings (often available same-day in shoulder season).
Looking for specific information before booking?
- Need exact pricing? See our boat rental prices 2026 guide (€749–€4,719 for all boat types and durations)
- Want a 4-hour charter? Check our 4-hour charter guide with sample itineraries and cost-per-person breakdown
- Interested in luxury? Browse our luxury superyacht options (Ferretti 680, Mangusta 80, Sunseeker fleet)
- Booking for a group/event? See our group charter page with team building and celebration packages
- Questions about skippers/licenses? Read our skipper guide (no license required — we handle everything)
The hub at boat rental Marbella compares Puerto Banús against the other four ports if you're still choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Why book from Puerto Banús instead of Marbella Marina?
Three reasons: fleet depth, boat size (anything 18 m or above is here by default), and the marina experience. Marbella Marina is more central if you're in the old town.
Where exactly do I meet the captain?
Each charter sends you a pontoon number and slip 24 hours ahead — typical meeting points are Piers 1 (super-yachts), 2–3 (10–16 m), 6 (sailing/fishing), 7 (day boats and licence-free).
Is there parking at Puerto Banús?
Yes — underground Aparcamiento Puerto Banús, €2/hour or €18 for the day. Arrive 30 minutes early on summer Saturdays.
What boats are available from Puerto Banús?
Full Costa del Sol charter inventory: motor yachts 10–25 m, sail/power catamarans 38–55 ft, deep-sea sportfishers, luxury superyachts 24 m+, and a small fleet of licence-free runabouts.
Can I sleep on board?
Yes on yachts 12 m and above. Overnight charters from Puerto Banús start at €1,200/night for a 4-berth 12 m yacht and rise to €4,000+ for crewed 20 m superyachts.
On the water with us
Real charters with real groups across Marbella, Puerto Banús and the Costa del Sol.
