Estepona by boat from Marbella is the most underrated day trip on the western Costa del Sol: roughly 11 nautical miles one-way from Puerto Banús, 22 NM round trip, and a coastline of swim coves you simply can't reach by car. Done right, it's a 6-7 hour charter with two anchorages, lunch in a working fishing port and a sunset return down the Golden Mile. Below is the exact itinerary our skippers run, with timings, distances and the boats that suit each pace.
The route at a glance
You leave Puerto Banús heading west-south-west, hug the coast past Guadalmina and San Pedro, cross open water off Cabopino's western edge and arrive at Estepona Marina (Puerto Deportivo de Estepona) in 35-50 minutes depending on hull. The return mirrors the outbound but typically routes inshore via Río Verde for a second swim. Total distance: 22 NM. Total cruising time: 70-100 minutes, leaving 4-5 hours for swimming and lunch.
- Puerto Banús → Cala del Faro: 3 NM, 10-15 min
- Cala del Faro → Estepona Marina: 8 NM, 25-35 min
- Estepona → Playa del Cristo anchorage: 1 NM, 5 min
- Estepona → Río Verde swim stop: 9 NM, 25-35 min
- Río Verde → Puerto Banús: 2 NM, 7-10 min
Suggested timeline: 10:30 departure, 17:30 return
This is the schedule that works in May-October. Mornings are glassy, afternoons build a light Levante chop after 14:00, and golden hour back at Puerto Banús lands around 19:30 in midsummer — leaving margin if guests want a sunset extension.
| Time | Stage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 | Board at Puerto Banús | Welcome drink, safety brief, depart 10:45 |
| 11:00 | Swim stop, Cala del Faro | 20-min anchorage, 3-5m sandy bottom |
| 12:00 | Arrive Estepona Marina | Berth or anchor off Playa del Cristo |
| 12:15-15:00 | Lunch ashore or on board | Old port restaurants or fish at Laguna Village |
| 15:15 | Slip lines, head east | Cruise the Estepona coast |
| 16:00 | Río Verde swim | Second anchorage, shallow turquoise water |
| 17:30 | Dock Puerto Banús | Total: 22 NM, 7 hours |
Which boat suits this itinerary?
Distance and group size decide. For 8-10 guests on a planing day, the Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39 (Tier A) are the sweet spot: both 12.5m, both €749 for 2 hours up to €2,299 for 8 hours, skipper and drinks included. For a slower, steadier ride with shaded saloon and trampolines, the Lagoon 380 catamaran is the family pick at 8-10 knots. For 12 guests who want a flybridge and jet ski, the Mangusta 80 starts at €4,719 for 4 hours with free toys.
- Couples or 2-4 guests: Mariah SX21 or Dubhe (price on request)
- Group of 6-10, value pick: Astondoa 40 / Azimut 39 at €2,299/8h
- Premium 12-pax: Mangusta 80, Pershing 46, Azimut 58 Flybridge
- Calm-ride family day: Lagoon 380 catamaran (10 pax)
Lunch in Estepona: dock or anchor?
Two honest options. Berthing in Estepona Marina costs a transit fee, takes 10 minutes to tie up and puts you a 3-minute walk from the old port's seafood restaurants and the painted-pot lanes of Calle Terraza. Anchoring off Playa del Cristo skips the fee, keeps drinks flowing on board and trades sit-down lunch for paddleboards and a tender run to shore if guests want feet-on-sand. We default to dock-in if you want a proper meal, anchor-out if you've brought catering or want a swim-heavy day.
Swim coves worth the detour
The Marbella-Estepona stretch has three coves most charter guests miss because they're invisible from the coast road. Our skippers know the entry depths and which to skip when westerly swell is running.
- Cala del Faro — 3 NM west of Puerto Banús, sandy 3-5m bottom, sheltered from easterlies
- Cala Cortés — small horseshoe past Guadalmina, gin-clear water, busy weekends
- Playa del Cristo — Estepona's own protected bay, 200m off the beach
If you've got time for a fourth, Río Verde on the return leg is the obvious add — shallow turquoise water 2 NM from Puerto Banús, perfect for a final swim before docking.
Weather, sea state and timing
May to October is the season. Water temperature climbs from 18°C in May to 23°C in July-August and stays at 22-24°C through October. Mornings are typically flat (0.3-0.5m swell) with the Levante (easterly) building to 10-15 knots and 0.8-1.2m chop by 15:00. That's why every itinerary we run pushes the outbound leg before noon and keeps the return leg inshore. Westerlies are rarer but rougher when they appear — your skipper will reroute or shorten if forecasts spike above 18 knots.
What's included and what isn't
Every charter from Puerto Banús includes a licensed skipper, fuel, water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, cava, light snacks, full insurance, safety equipment and Spanish IVA (21%). Nothing hidden. What's not included: lunch ashore in Estepona (€25-€50 per head at the old-port restaurants), marina transit fee if we berth, and crew tips if guests want to leave them. Jet ski is free on the Mangusta 80; on other boats it's a quoted add-on.
How to book
Send us a WhatsApp with date, group size and rough budget and we'll come back with two or three boats that fit. Tier A boats (Astondoa 40, Azimut 39) and the Mangusta 80 book out fastest for July-August Saturdays — 3-4 weeks ahead is safe. Outside peak we can usually confirm same-week. See the full lineup and pricing notes on the main fleet page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to reach Estepona by boat from Marbella?
From Puerto Banús to Estepona Marina is roughly 11 nautical miles. On a planing hull like the Pershing 46 or Mangusta 80 you'll cover it in 30-40 minutes at 22-25 knots. On the Lagoon 380 catamaran or Bandido it's closer to 50-60 minutes at 8-10 knots. Sea state matters more than horsepower past 14:00, when Levante chop builds.
What's the best itinerary for a full day to Estepona?
Depart Puerto Banús at 10:30, swim stop at Cala del Faro (20 min west), arrive Estepona Marina by 12:00 for lunch ashore or anchor off Playa del Cristo with food on board. Cruise back via Río Verde for a second swim at 16:00, dock by 17:30. Total: ~22 NM, 6-7 hours including two anchorages.
How much does an Estepona day charter cost?
An 8-hour charter on the Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39 is €2,299 all-inclusive — skipper, fuel, drinks (water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, cava), snacks and Spanish IVA. The Mangusta 80 starts at €4,719 for 4 hours and includes a free jet ski. Smaller boats like the Mariah SX21 or Speedboat are priced on request via WhatsApp.
Can we dock in Estepona Marina or do we have to anchor?
You can usually berth in Estepona Marina (Puerto Deportivo de Estepona) for a few hours, but slots are not guaranteed in July-August and a transit fee applies. Our skippers radio ahead. If full, we anchor off Playa del Cristo or Playa del Padrón — both sandy, 3-5m depth, 5-min tender ride to shore.
Is Estepona worth the trip or should we stay near Marbella?
Estepona old town is calmer than Marbella, with painted flowerpot streets, a working fishing port and quieter beach restaurants. It's worth the 35-50 min each way if you want a proper lunch ashore rather than a beach-club scene. For pure swim-and-sunbathe days, Río Verde or Cabopino are closer and cost less fuel time.
What should we bring for an Estepona day on board?
Towels, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and a light layer for the return leg after 17:00. We provide drinks (water, soft drinks, beer, wine, cava) and light snacks; bring extra food if you want a full meal aboard rather than docking for lunch. Cash or card for Estepona Marina lunch — most restaurants take both.
Is the crossing safe for kids and non-swimmers?
Yes. The Marbella-Estepona stretch is sheltered coastal cruising, rarely rough before midday, and our skippers carry child life jackets in sizes from 10kg up. Catamarans like the Lagoon 380 are the steadiest ride for nervous guests or under-5s. Insurance and full safety equipment are included on every charter.
When should we book an Estepona charter?
For July-August weekends, book 3-4 weeks ahead — the Tier A boats and Mangusta 80 sell out first. May, June, September and October have wider availability and the best sea conditions (flat mornings, 23-26°C water). WhatsApp us a date and group size for a same-week quote outside peak.