A Seabob experience in Marbella turns an ordinary boat day into something genuinely different: instead of just swimming off the back of the boat, you grip a 29 kg underwater scooter, squeeze the trigger, and pull yourself through the water at up to 20 km/h. We carry the Cayago Seabob F5/F5 S on board our Puerto Banús fleet, so it slots into any half-day or full-day charter. This guide covers how it actually works, where we use it, what it costs, and which of our boats pair with it best. The hub for all our charters and add-ons lives at Boat Rental Marbella.
What the Seabob is — and why people book one
The Seabob F5 is a German-built jet-propulsion craft about 1.5 m long, weighing 29 kg in air and almost neutrally buoyant in water. Four power levels run from a gentle 6 km/h up to a punchy 20 km/h on the surface, and it dives to a maximum depth of 6 m. There is no exhaust, no fuel smell, no engine noise — just a quiet electric whirr and the rush of water past your mask. That silence is the reason guests keep extending sessions: you can drift up on a shoal of bream or a curious octopus without spooking it.
Where we launch it along the Marbella coast
We don't take the Seabob out in busy swim zones or near beach buoy lines. The skipper picks an anchorage with clear water, sandy bottom and limited boat traffic. The standard rotation:
- Cala del Faro — 10 minutes east of Puerto Banús, 4-8 m depth, sandy bottom with rock fingers. Our default.
- Río Verde — 5 minutes west, calm on Levante days, good for first-timers.
- Cala Cortés near Cabopino — 25 minutes east, clearer visibility, worth the run on a full-day.
- South-east of Marbella Marina — sheltered when the Poniente blows.
For a deeper look at where each spot sits along the coast, see our best anchorages guide.
How a Seabob session actually runs
You board the boat at Puerto Banús, the skipper runs through the standard safety brief, and we cruise to the chosen anchorage. Once anchored, the crew lifts the Seabob off its rack and lowers it to the bathing platform. The rider-side briefing takes 5-10 minutes: how to trim the device with body weight, when to use Power 1 versus Power 4, the kill-switch lanyard, and the 10 m exclusion zone around other swimmers. Then you're in the water. Most guests run a five-minute surface familiarisation, then start diving the device — 1 m, 2 m, then down to 5 or 6 m if their ears equalise comfortably.
Battery life, rotation and group size
One full battery gives roughly 60 minutes of mixed-depth riding. On a four-guest charter we typically run 15-20 minute sessions per rider, which is honestly plenty — the device pulls hard against your forearms and your grip tires faster than your lungs. For groups of six or more on a yacht like the Canados 86 or Ferretti 94, we'll carry a spare battery so the rotation doesn't stall.
Which of our boats pair best with the Seabob
Any boat in our fleet can carry the Seabob, but the experience improves dramatically with a proper bathing platform and a freshwater rinse on deck. Our top picks:
| Boat | Length | Pax | Why it works for Seabob |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pershing 46 | 14 m | 10 | Wide hydraulic platform, fast transfer to anchorages |
| Azimut 58 Flybridge | 17.6 m | 12 | Big swim platform, shaded flybridge for non-riders |
| Fairline Targa 12m | 12 m | 10 | Sporty hull, easy launch off the stern |
| Mangusta 80 | 24 m | 12 | Free jet ski already included; Seabob extends the toy list |
What's included, what's not
Every charter — Seabob day or not — comes with a licensed skipper, fuel, water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, cava, light snacks, insurance, full safety kit and Spanish IVA at 21%. On a Seabob session we add mask, snorkel and fins for each rider, a buoyancy-controlled briefing, and a charged battery (plus a spare on longer trips). What's not included: GoPro footage (bring your own with a wrist tether), wetsuits outside peak summer, or a separate Seabob-only outing — we run it strictly as an add-on to a boat charter.
Pricing and how to book
Seabob pricing depends on the boat you pick and the session length, so we don't publish a flat rate. The boat charter itself follows our standard tiers: €749 for two hours on an Astondoa 40 or Azimut 39, scaling to €2,299 for a full eight hours, and €4,719 minimum four hours on a Mangusta 80 (which already includes a free jet ski). The Seabob fee is added on top. Message us on WhatsApp with your date, group size and preferred boat — we'll come back with a fixed quote within an hour during office time.
Safety, age limits and weather rules
Minimum age for solo riding is 14, confident-swimmer standard. Under-16s wear a lifejacket in the water regardless of ability. The kill-switch lanyard clips to your wrist and cuts the motor the second you release it. We don't run Seabob sessions in swell over 0.7 m or wind above 18 kts — the device handles it, but launch and recovery off the swim platform become awkward and the visibility drops below useful. On those days the skipper will offer a sheltered alternative or move the run to the next morning.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a Seabob and how does it work in Marbella?
A Seabob is a battery-powered underwater scooter built by German firm Cayago. You grip the handles, squeeze the trigger, and it pulls you through the water at up to 20 km/h on the surface or down to 6 m below. In Marbella we launch it from the swim platform of our Puerto Banús boats, so you ride straight off the stern into clear Mediterranean water.
Do I need a licence or prior experience?
No licence is required. You need to be a confident swimmer, at least 14 years old, and comfortable putting your face in the water with a mask. The skipper gives a 5-10 minute briefing covering the four power levels, the buoyancy trim, the kill-switch lanyard, and the safe-distance rule from swimmers. Most guests are riding solo within ten minutes.
Where do you actually use the Seabob along the coast?
We pick sheltered anchorages where the water is clear and other traffic is light. Cala del Faro just east of Puerto Banús is the staple — sandy bottom, 4-8 m depth, easy visibility. On calm days we push further to Cala Cortés near Cabopino, or stay closer at Río Verde. The choice is the skipper's call based on wind and swell that morning.
How long does each rider get on the Seabob?
A single battery delivers roughly 60 minutes of mixed-use riding. On a half-day charter with four guests we typically rotate 15-20 minute sessions per person, which is plenty — the device weighs 29 kg in air and your forearms tire faster than you expect. Longer charters or smaller groups mean more time each.
Which boats can I add a Seabob session to?
Any of our Puerto Banús fleet can carry the Seabob, but it pairs best with boats that have a proper bathing platform and freshwater shower — the Pershing 46, Fairline Targa 12m, Azimut 58 Flybridge, and the Mangusta 80. Smaller ribs like Bandido or Red Tide can still launch it but with less deck space.
How much does the Seabob experience cost?
Pricing depends on the boat you choose and the session length, so we quote on WhatsApp rather than publishing a fixed rate. As a guide: the boat charter follows our standard tiers — €749 for two hours on the Azimut 39, €4,719 for four hours on a Mangusta 80 — and the Seabob is added on top. Drinks, fuel, skipper and VAT are already included in the charter.
Is the Seabob safe for children?
We set 14 as the minimum age for solo riding. Younger children can ride tandem on the surface only, holding on in front of a parent, with the device locked to power level 1 (around 6 km/h). The kill-switch lanyard cuts the motor instantly if anyone lets go. Lifejackets are mandatory for under-16s, even strong swimmers.
What's the best time of year for a Seabob day in Marbella?
June through early October. Water temperature climbs from 20 °C in June to 24 °C in August and stays warm into October. July-August give the calmest mornings; September often has the clearest visibility once the summer crowds thin out. Avoid March-May if you feel the cold — water is still 16-18 °C and a wetsuit becomes essential.