A champagne sunset cruise in Marbella from our fleet means 2 hours on the water out of Puerto Banús, cava on ice, the Golden Mile lit up behind you and a final hour of golden-hour light over La Concha. Prices start at €749 for the whole boat on our Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39 (not per person), and that figure already includes the skipper, fuel, drinks and 21% Spanish IVA. For a wider view of our charters and routes, start at our boat rental Marbella hub.
What you actually get for €749
The headline number covers the entire 2-hour charter, not a seat. Up to 9 guests on the Astondoa 40 or 11 on the Azimut 39 step on board at Puerto Banús with nothing left to pay on the day except optional premium upgrades. The licensed skipper, fuel for the typical 12-15 nautical mile route, full insurance and the Spanish 21% IVA are baked into the quote. Drinks-wise you have cava, white wine, beer, soft drinks and still water, plus light snacks (olives, crisps, fruit). It is closer to a private floating lounge than a ticketed tour.
- 2 hours of exclusive use of the boat
- Licensed Spanish skipper and fuel
- Cava, white wine, beer, soft drinks, water, light snacks
- Insurance, safety equipment and 21% IVA
- Bluetooth speakers — bring your own playlist
The route: Puerto Banús to the Golden Mile
Once you have boarded and the skipper has briefed you on safety, we ease out of Puerto Banús and turn east along Marbella's Golden Mile. The classic 2-hour loop runs Puerto Banús → Río Verde → the Marbella Marina sightline → an anchor stop off the Golden Mile → back to base. Total distance is around 12 nautical miles at a relaxed 8-10 knots, which keeps the deck steady for glasses and photos. If the wind is up from the east, the skipper may flip the route and head west toward Cala del Faro and Estepona instead — same sunset, slightly different skyline.
Timing: when sunset actually happens
Marbella's official sunset varies from 20:45 in early May to a peak of around 21:50 in late June, then back to 20:00 by mid-October. We schedule departure roughly 90 minutes before the sun touches the horizon, so you get the cruise out, the anchor stop with cava in hand, golden hour, then the dusk return into Puerto Banús with the lights coming on. Outside June-August expect to dock between 21:30 and 22:30. Book a private yacht charter if you want to extend into a proper dinner cruise.
| Month | Sunset (local) | Suggested departure |
|---|---|---|
| May | 20:45-21:15 | 19:15 |
| June | 21:30-21:50 | 20:00 |
| July | 21:30-21:45 | 20:00 |
| August | 21:00-21:30 | 19:30 |
| September | 20:15-20:55 | 18:45 |
| October | 19:30-20:10 | 18:00 |
Which boat suits a sunset cruise best
Three boats in our fleet work especially well for the sunset slot. The Astondoa 40 (12.5m, 9 pax) and Azimut 39 (12.5m, 11 pax) sit at the €749 entry price and both have a large bow sun pad — the single best seat for the moment the sun drops. For a milestone birthday or a corporate group of up to 12, the Mangusta 80 (24m, 12 pax) is the statement boat: €4,719 for 4 hours, jet ski included free, full flybridge for panoramic sunset photos. See the full lineup on our Marbella boat hire page.
- Couples / small group: Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39 — €749 / 2h
- Birthday up to 11-12 guests: Azimut 58 Flybridge or Pershing 46 — price on request
- Showpiece superyacht: Mangusta 80, Ferretti 94 or Canados 86 — from €4,719 / 4h
Proposals, anniversaries and birthdays
Roughly one in five sunset bookings is a proposal or anniversary. Tell us in advance and we will brief the skipper to slow into the anchor stop at the exact golden-hour minute, chill a reserve bottle out of sight and step back so the moment is yours. We do not charge for the staging itself — only genuine third-party costs like a premium cava upgrade (Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, a magnum), a bouquet or a discreet photographer arranged through trusted partners. For birthday groups we can pre-load a cake at cost; just send the dietary needs 48 hours before.
What to wear, what to leave behind
The Mediterranean breeze drops temperatures 5-8°C the moment the sun sets, so a light jumper or wrap for after 21:00 is the single most overlooked item. Beyond that, the boat etiquette is simple: soft-soled shoes or barefoot only (heels and dark soles mark the deck), swimwear under your outfit, sunglasses for the cruise out, and a charged phone if you want to run the Bluetooth sound system. We provide towels, ice, all glassware and a freshwater rinse on the larger boats. Leave glass containers at home — anything you bring in glass gets decanted before departure.
Add-ons that are worth it (and what is not)
Most sunset cruises are best left as-is: the 2-hour window is short, and you do not want to spend half of it organising activities. The upgrades that consistently land well are a premium champagne pre-order (Veuve Clicquot from around €120, Dom Pérignon from around €350, charged at retail plus handling), a professional photographer for proposals (60-90 minutes, partner pricing), and extending to 3 hours so you get the full dusk-into-night transition. Skip the inflatable toys — they eat 20 minutes of inflation time and rarely get used at sunset. For a daytime trip with toys, see our day charter options.
How to book your sunset slot
Sunset slots from late May to mid-September book out 7-14 days in advance, peaking in the first two weeks of August. To lock a date, message us on WhatsApp from any page on this site with your preferred date, guest count and whether you want the Astondoa 40 / Azimut 39 entry option or a larger yacht. We confirm availability within the hour, hold the slot with a 30% deposit, and you pay the balance at the marina on the day. Cancellations 48+ hours before departure are refunded in full; weather cancellations always reschedule at no cost. Browse adjacent ideas on our boat trips Marbella page.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in the champagne sunset cruise price?
The €749 quote for our 2-hour Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39 charter covers the licensed skipper, fuel, full insurance and Spanish IVA at 21%. On board you get cava, white wine, beer, soft drinks, still water and light snacks. There is no per-person surcharge: the price is for the whole boat, whether you bring 2 guests or fill the 9-11 capacity.
What time does the cruise depart for the best sunset?
We schedule departure roughly 90 minutes before official sunset, which from May to October falls between 20:45 and 22:00. That gives you a relaxed cruise out along the Golden Mile, an anchor stop for swimming and cava, then golden-hour photos with La Concha mountain glowing behind you before returning to Puerto Banús in twilight.
How many bottles of cava are included on board?
We stock enough cava, white wine and beer for the full 2 hours and the guest count on your booking, calibrated to roughly one bottle of cava per 3 guests plus alternatives. If you want a specific premium label, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon or a magnum for a proposal, we can pre-order it for a transparent add-on charged at retail plus a small handling fee.
Can we swim during the sunset cruise?
Yes. The skipper typically anchors off Río Verde or the Golden Mile for 20-30 minutes so guests can swim, paddle on the noodles we carry, or just float with a glass of cava. Sea temperature sits at 19-24°C from May to October. We carry towels, a swim ladder and a freshwater shower head on the larger boats.
Is the sunset cruise suitable for a marriage proposal?
It is one of our most-booked proposal settings. Tell us in advance and we will coordinate the anchor stop for the exact golden-hour moment, brief the skipper to step back discreetly, chill a reserve bottle and, if you like, arrange a small bouquet or a photographer through partners. We do not charge extra for the staging itself, only third-party add-ons at cost.
What should we wear and bring on board?
Bring swimwear, a light layer for after sunset (the breeze cools 5-8°C once the sun drops), soft-soled shoes or barefoot, sunglasses and reef-safe sun cream. Leave heels, dark-soled shoes and glass containers at home. We provide towels, ice, glassware and a Bluetooth sound system, so you only need your phone for the playlist.
Which boat is best for a romantic sunset for two?
For couples we usually recommend the Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39 from €749: both are quiet at cruise speed, have a comfortable bow sun pad for the sunset itself and a shaded cockpit for dining. If you want a statement yacht for an engagement or anniversary, the Mangusta 80 at €4,719 for 4 hours adds a flybridge, jacuzzi and a free jet ski.
How do we book and what is the deposit?
Booking is done via WhatsApp from the home page — message us your preferred date, guest count and whether it is a special occasion. We confirm boat availability within the hour, hold the slot with a 30% deposit by card or transfer, and you settle the balance on the day in cash or card at Puerto Banús.