A half-day sailing experience in Marbella on our Lagoon 380 catamaran runs four hours from Puerto Banús, costs are confirmed on request via WhatsApp, and includes a licensed skipper, drinks, snacks and 21% IVA. You sail roughly 12-18 nautical miles between Río Verde and Cala del Faro, with two swim stops and zero engine noise once the sails are up. The Lagoon 380 takes up to 10 guests across two hulls, which means almost no heel — even non-sailors and small children settle in within minutes. Start your planning from our main fleet hub or jump straight to the Lagoon 380 page for specs.
What the half-day actually looks like
You arrive at Puerto Banús 15 minutes before departure and meet your skipper at the catamaran pontoon. After a five-minute safety brief, we motor out of the harbour and hoist the main and genoa once we clear the breakwater — usually around the 1 NM mark west of the entrance. From there it is sailing, not motoring: on a typical July afternoon with 14 kts of Poniente, the Lagoon 380 makes 6-7 knots on a beam reach without straining anything.
The first anchor stop is off Río Verde, roughly 4 NM west of Puerto Banús, where the water is calm in westerly wind and the bottom is sand at 8-10 metres. Guests swim, snorkel or use the swim ladder for 30-40 minutes while we lay out snacks in the cockpit. Then we either continue west toward Cala del Faro near Cabopino for a second stop, or tack back along the Golden Mile if the wind has clocked. The half-day ends back at Puerto Banús by 14:00 or 19:00 depending on slot.
Why a catamaran beats a monohull for this trip
The Lagoon 380 has two hulls 6.5 metres apart, which gives it three advantages for a Marbella day-sail. First, it barely heels — guests can walk, eat and photograph from anywhere on deck without bracing. Second, the forward trampoline doubles the usable lounging area compared to a same-length monohull. Third, the shallow 1.15m draft lets us anchor closer to the beach in Cala del Faro and Cala Cortés than a 12m monohull could.
The trade-off is upwind performance: a Lagoon 380 sails about 50° to the true wind versus 35-40° on a racing monohull. In practice this only matters when the Levante (easterly) is blowing hard against our route home, which is rare in summer. Compare with our Azimut 39 motor yacht if you prefer pure speed, or browse the full fleet for other options.
Wind, weather and the Marbella sailing season
Marbella's prevailing breeze is the Poniente, a westerly that fills in around 11:00 and peaks at 12-18 knots by mid-afternoon between May and October. This is the wind we plan around. The Lagoon 380 sails comfortably from 6 kts upward and we reef the main at 18 kts to keep things relaxed. Above 25 kts of Levante (easterly, gusty and choppy) we do not sail — those days get rescheduled at our cost.
| Month | Sea temp | Avg wind | Typical day |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 18°C | 8-12 kts | Light wind, quiet anchorages |
| June | 20°C | 10-14 kts | Best balance, water warming |
| July-Aug | 23-24°C | 12-18 kts | Reliable Poniente, busy ports |
| September | 22°C | 10-15 kts | Warm water, fewer crowds |
| October | 20°C | 8-14 kts | Mild, occasional Levante |
What is included on board
Every Lagoon 380 half-day includes the licensed Spanish skipper, fuel for harbour manoeuvres, mooring fees at Puerto Banús, full marine insurance, all safety gear (life jackets in adult and child sizes, life raft, flares, VHF), and Spanish IVA at 21% on the final invoice. Drinks on board cover still and sparkling water, soft drinks, local beer (Cruzcampo or Mahou), a chilled Spanish white, and one bottle of cava. Snacks are a tray of olives, jamón, manchego, crisps and seasonal fruit.
- Skipper, fuel, mooring, insurance, IVA — all in the quoted price
- Towels and snorkelling masks: bring your own, or ask us to provide (free)
- Lunch upgrade: paella delivered to the boat from a Puerto Banús kitchen, €18/person, order 24h ahead
- What is NOT included: tips (optional), private transfer to the marina, anchorage fees outside Puerto Banús (we cover these)
Who the experience suits — and who should pick something else
The Lagoon 380 half-day is built for groups of 6-10 who want a calm, scenic afternoon under sail with swim stops and a relaxed pace. It works well for families with children aged 5+, multigenerational birthdays, hen and stag groups that prefer water and wine to club music, and couples who want the romance of sailing without committing to a full day.
It is not the right boat for guests who want speed, water-skiing, or arrival at a specific restaurant for lunch — pick our Pershing 46 or any motor yacht in the fleet for that. It is also not ideal for groups over 10: we cap the Lagoon at its licensed capacity. For larger parties, the Mangusta 80 handles 12 with room to spare.
Pricing and how to confirm
The Lagoon 380 is priced on request via WhatsApp because half-day catamaran rates shift with peak season demand and skipper availability. For reference, our motor-yacht half-days start at €749 for the Astondoa 40 and €2,299 for an eight-hour version of the same boat. The Lagoon sits in the middle of this range and is usually cheaper per head than a comparable motor yacht because fuel use is lower.
To confirm a date, send a WhatsApp with your slot, guest count and any dietary notes. We reply within an hour during daytime, send a fixed quote, and hold the booking on a 50% deposit. The balance is settled at the marina. Free reschedule up to 48 hours ahead, and full refund of the deposit if wind drops below 5 kts on the day.
Getting to Puerto Banús and what to bring
Puerto Banús sits 7 km west of central Marbella and 60 km from Málaga airport. The marina has paid parking (€2/hour) directly opposite our pontoon. By taxi from central Marbella expect €15-20 one-way; from the airport, €70-90 depending on traffic. Buses M-220 and M-103 stop at Puerto Banús every 30 minutes from Marbella bus station.
Bring swimwear, a towel (or ask us to supply), reef-safe sunscreen, a light layer for the return leg if it gets breezy, sunglasses, and any medication for motion sensitivity — catamarans are gentle but the open Mediterranean still moves. Cameras and phones are fine on deck, and the Lagoon 380 has 12V USB sockets in the cockpit. Leave bulky bags in your car or hotel: storage on board is for personal items only.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a sailing experience in Marbella different from a motor charter?
Sailing replaces engine noise with the sound of water on the hulls and cuts fuel consumption to near zero once the canvas is up. On the Lagoon 380 we typically spend 70% of a summer half-day under sail, dropping engines only for the Puerto Banús fairway. You also get a flatter ride than a monohull because two hulls mean almost no heel, so guests can move around, eat lunch, and photograph the coast without holding on.
How long is the half-day and what does the route look like?
The half-day is exactly 4 hours, either 10:00-14:00 or 15:00-19:00. From Puerto Banús we sail west toward Río Verde, anchor for a 30-40 minute swim, then continue to Cala del Faro near Cabopino if wind allows. Total distance is 12-18 nautical miles depending on breeze. We return with enough time for a second short swim stop just outside the harbour when conditions cooperate.
Do I need any sailing experience to join?
No experience is required. A licensed Spanish skipper handles all sail trim, navigation and anchoring. Guests who want to help can take the wheel on a steady reach, learn to grind a winch, or hoist the mainsail under instruction. If you prefer to do nothing, that is equally fine: the cockpit and forward trampoline are designed for lounging, and the Lagoon 380 sails itself once trimmed.
What is included in the half-day price?
Every charter includes the licensed skipper, fuel for engines, mooring at Puerto Banús, full insurance, all safety equipment, and Spanish IVA (21%) on the invoice. Onboard you get water, soft drinks, local beer, Spanish white wine, cava, and a tray of light snacks (olives, cured meats, crisps, fresh fruit). There are no hidden fuel surcharges or skipper tips added afterwards. Final price is confirmed by WhatsApp.
When is the best time of year to sail in Marbella?
May to October is the prime window: sea temperature climbs from 18°C in May to 24°C in August, and Poniente westerlies fill in around 11:00, peaking at 12-18 kts by mid-afternoon. July and August are warmest but busiest; June and September offer the best balance of warm water, reliable wind and calm anchorages. Winter sailing is possible on settled days, though water drops to 15°C.
Is the Lagoon 380 suitable for kids and non-swimmers?
Yes. Catamarans are the most family-friendly platform we operate. The cockpit is enclosed by high coamings, the trampolines have safety netting, and the boat barely heels even in 18 kts. We carry child-size life jackets in three sizes and ladder access from the swim platform makes boarding from the water easy. Non-swimmers can stay aboard during anchor stops without missing the experience.
What happens if the wind dies or the forecast looks bad?
If wind is below 5 kts for the whole window, we offer a free reschedule or full refund of the deposit — your call. If wind is light but workable (5-10 kts), we sail what we can and motor the rest; the half-day still runs because anchoring, swimming and lunch carry the experience. Cancellations for safety reasons (Levante above 25 kts, thunderstorms) are always at our cost, not yours.
How do I book and what is the deposit?
Send a WhatsApp with your preferred date, time slot and guest count. We reply within an hour during daytime with availability and a fixed quote. A 50% deposit by card link or bank transfer holds the booking; the balance is paid in cash or by card at the marina before departure. Free reschedule up to 48 hours before, and free cancellation if wind drops below 5 kts on the day.