A pirate boat day in Marbella turns a standard charter into something children remember for years: costumes on, treasure map in hand, swim stop at a hidden cove. We run themed 2-hour slots from €749 all-inclusive on the Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39, both departing Puerto Banús with a licensed skipper, drinks and snacks already on board. This guide covers what's included, where we sail, how to prepare the kids, and when to book. For the full fleet and adult charters, see our homepage.
What's actually included in a pirate-themed charter
The themed element sits on top of our standard 2-hour or 8-hour charter, so everything that comes with a normal booking is already there: licensed skipper, fuel, soft drinks, beer, white wine, cava, light snacks (crisps, fruit, biscuits), insurance, safety gear and 21% Spanish IVA. On top of that we add, at no extra charge: a kid-size pirate costume per child (sizes 3-12), eye patches, bandanas, a wooden treasure chest pre-loaded with chocolate doubloons and small toys, and a hand-drawn map of the Golden Mile. Request the theme when booking on WhatsApp so we can confirm costume sizes 24 hours ahead.
The boats we use for kids' days
Two boats handle 90% of themed bookings. The Astondoa 40 (12.5 m, 9 pax) is a flybridge cruiser with a deep cockpit and a generous bathing platform — the best layout for swap-ins and swap-outs of small swimmers. The Azimut 39 (12.5 m, 11 pax) carries two more bodies and adds an enclosed saloon, useful if the wind picks up on the return leg or a toddler needs a nap. Both sit in Puerto Banús and both come in at €749 for 2 hours or €2,299 for a full 8-hour day.
| Boat | Length | Max pax | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astondoa 40 | 12.5 m | 9 | Smaller groups, deep cockpit |
| Azimut 39 | 12.5 m | 11 | Larger groups, covered saloon |
| Mangusta 80 | 24 m | 12 | Multi-family days, jet ski included |
The route and the treasure hunt
Departures leave Puerto Banús and turn east along the Golden Mile, passing Marbella Club and Puente Romano before reaching the calm anchorage at Río Verde or, if the swell allows, Cala del Faro by the lighthouse. The skipper hands the eldest child a map with three clue stops — a lighthouse, a buoy, a beach landmark — and the kids steer (with the skipper's hand on the wheel) between them. The chest is pre-anchored at the swim stop, so the moment of discovery is real even if the route isn't a surprise to us.
Safety on board with children
Every child gets a properly fitted child life jacket on boarding and wears it whenever the boat is under way. The bathing platform sits 30 cm above the waterline so even nervous swimmers can step in rather than jump. We don't sail in winds above 12 knots when under-5s are on board — the call is made the evening before from the official AEMET forecast. The skipper holds a Spanish PER licence plus Cruz Roja first-aid certification, and the boat carries the full ISO safety kit (life raft, EPIRB, fire suppression, first-aid kit).
Best time of day to sail with kids
The Costa del Sol coast follows a predictable wind pattern: glassy at dawn, light easterly by 11:00, building westerly by 14:00, easing again after 18:00. For children under 6, the 09:00-12:00 morning slot is the calmest — flat water, mild sun, fewer crowds at the anchorage. Older kids and teenagers do well with the 17:00-19:00 sunset slot, which is cooler and offers the best photos. Avoid 13:00-15:00 in July and August when the surface chop and UV index both peak.
Bigger groups: the Mangusta 80
If you're combining two families or running a kids' birthday party for 10+ children plus parents, the Mangusta 80 (24 m, 12 pax) is the upgrade. Minimum charter is 4 hours at €4,719 all-inclusive, and the jet ski rides free for the day — older kids (8+) can ride pillion with the skipper on a calm-water shuttle. The flybridge gives parents a quiet zone away from the main deck action. White and grey variants are available; specify a preference when booking.
What to bring (and what to leave behind)
- Bring: reef-safe SPF 50, towels, swimwear, light cover-up, dry change of clothes, child sun hats
- Bring if you have: snorkels and masks for ages 6+, an underwater camera
- We supply: costumes, eye patches, bandanas, treasure chest, life jackets, all drinks, snacks
- Leave behind: hard-soled shoes, glass bottles, your own food (we supply snacks; full lunch on request)
Booking, weather policy and refunds
Book through our booking page or WhatsApp at least 7 days ahead in peak season (July, August, first half of September). Deposit is 30% on booking, balance due 24 hours before departure. If wind exceeds 15 knots or a thunderstorm sits on the forecast, we reschedule free or refund in full — your call, made by 19:00 the night before. Light rain doesn't cancel; the Azimut 39's saloon keeps everyone dry between swim stops.
Frequently asked questions
What ages does the pirate boat experience suit?
The themed day is built for children aged 3 to 12, though we've hosted siblings as young as 18 months and tweens of 13-14 who still enjoy the treasure hunt. Under-3s sail free but must wear a child life jacket throughout. Teenagers usually prefer a standard charter with a tube tow or paddleboard, which we can swap in at no extra cost.
How much does a pirate-themed charter cost in Marbella?
A 2-hour themed slot on the Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39 starts at €749 all-inclusive — skipper, fuel, soft drinks, beer, wine, cava, snacks, insurance and 21% IVA. A full 8-hour day runs to €2,299. Costumes and the treasure chest are free on request. Larger families needing 12 berths step up to the Mangusta 80 at €4,719 for 4 hours.
Where does the pirate boat depart from?
All themed charters leave from Puerto Banús, berth assigned 24 hours before departure via WhatsApp. The marina sits 10 minutes by taxi from central Marbella and 50 minutes from Málaga airport. Free parking is available at the underground car park beneath the marina; arrive 20 minutes early so kids can meet the skipper and choose their costumes.
Is the boat safe for young children?
Yes — every child receives a fitted life jacket on boarding and wears it whenever the boat is moving. The skipper is licensed by the Spanish Maritime Authority and carries first-aid certification. Decks have non-slip surfaces and the swim platform sits 30 cm above the water for easy entry. We sail only when the forecast is under 12 knots of wind.
What does the treasure hunt actually involve?
The skipper hands out a hand-drawn map of the Golden Mile with three clue stops between Puerto Banús and Río Verde. Kids follow compass bearings and landmarks like the lighthouse at Cala del Faro to find the chest, which we anchor in advance at the swim stop. Inside: chocolate doubloons, plastic gems and a small toy per child.
What should we bring for a pirate day?
Reef-safe sun cream (SPF 50), towels, swimwear under clothes, a light cover-up for the return leg and a change of dry clothes. We supply costumes, eye patches, bandanas, the treasure chest and all drinks plus snacks. Leave hard-soled shoes at the marina — bare feet or rubber-soled deck shoes only. Phones and cameras travel at owner's risk.
Can we book the pirate experience year-round?
We run themed charters from April to October when sea temperatures sit between 17°C and 24°C. July and August book out 3-4 weeks ahead; May, June and September are quieter and often cheaper. November to March we pause kids' themed days as the swim element loses its appeal, though private adult charters continue. Check current availability on our homepage.
What happens if the weather turns?
If wind exceeds 15 knots or a thunderstorm is forecast, we reschedule free of charge or refund in full — your call. Light rain alone doesn't cancel the trip since the Azimut 39 has a covered saloon. We make the weather call by 19:00 the day before, based on the official AEMET forecast for Marbella waters.