Fishing boat rental in Marbella covers two distinct experiences: a quiet 2-hour inshore trip pulling sea bream and mackerel from 20-metre reefs off the Golden Mile, or a 4–8 hour deep-sea expedition chasing dorado and tuna 8–15 nautical miles offshore over deeper seamounts. Prices start at €220 with skipper, mate, rods and bait included.
Fishing boat rental Marbella prices 2026
| Trip type | Duration | Low season | High season | Max anglers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore reef fishing | 2 h | €220 | €260 | 6 |
| Inshore half-day | 4 h | €380 | €420 | 6 |
| Deep-sea sportfishing | 4 h | €450 | €520 | 4-6 |
| Full offshore day | 8 h | €780 | €950 | 4-6 |
All prices include licensed skipper, mate, rods, reels, terminal tackle, live bait, ice and soft drinks. Bring your own hat, sunscreen and reef-safe footwear.
What you can catch off Marbella, by season
- Dorado (mahi-mahi) — June to October. Schooling fish, electric strikes on trolled feathers, 4–12 kg average. The headline summer target.
- Bluefin tuna — May to July. Heavy tackle, stand-up gear, fish ranging 50–150 kg. Strict ICCAT quota: most Marbella charters are catch-and-release for recreational anglers.
- Amberjack — year-round, peak winter. Jigging or live bait over deep reefs at 30–80 m. Strong fighters, 5–25 kg.
- Bonito and Atlantic bonito — September to November. Easy fast action, great for kids.
- Inshore: sea bream, sea bass, mackerel, barracuda — year-round, light tackle, ideal beginner targets.
Inshore vs deep-sea — which to book?
Inshore (2–4 hours): stay within 2 NM of the coast, fish reefs and wrecks at 15–40 m depth, calm water, lighter tackle, lower price. Best for families, kids, first-timers, anyone who gets queasy. Deep-sea (4–8 hours): run 8–15 NM offshore to seamounts and current edges, troll lures or drift live bait, target bigger species, longer travel time, more boat motion. Best for serious anglers and groups happy to commit a full day.
If you're undecided, the half-day inshore is the safer first booking — you can always upgrade next trip. For everything we offer across the fleet, the boat rental Marbella hub compares fishing alongside yachts and catamarans.
Departure ports
Puerto Banús hosts the biggest deep-sea sportfishers (10–12 m Bertram-class). Cabopino is the cheapest pickup for inshore trips and the closest harbour to the productive eastern reefs around Río Real. La Bajadilla fishing port (next to Marbella Marina) keeps the working-fleet feel and is where local skippers with 30+ years on the water are based. Estepona works for west-bound offshore tuna trips when current is favourable.
What's included on every fishing charter
- Licensed skipper plus a mate (deep-sea) or just skipper (small inshore)
- Rods, reels and complete terminal tackle (hooks, leaders, swivels)
- Live bait (sardines, mackerel, squid) appropriate to target species
- Ice box for your catch
- Soft drinks and water
- Filleting and bagging of keepers at the dock
- Fishing licence coverage under the boat's commercial permit
Not included: lunch (BYO sandwich or order a catered lunch box), alcohol (most skippers ask you to wait until you're back at the dock), and trip insurance for offshore days.
Sample full-day offshore itinerary
- 07:00 Boarding at Puerto Banús pontoon 4, fuel and bait loaded the night before.
- 07:30 Run 45 minutes south-east to the Marbella seamount.
- 08:15 Set the trolling spread — 4 rods, lures alternating between dorado feathers and tuna konas.
- 11:00 First drift over deeper reef for amberjack and possible swordfish bonus.
- 13:00 Lunch break, drift fishing continues with lighter gear.
- 14:30 Run east towards Calahonda seamount for the afternoon bite.
- 16:00 Reel in, run back to Puerto Banús, mate fillets your catch on the dock.
Booking tips
For deep-sea, book a forecast window — Marbella's east wind (levante) above 15 knots makes serious offshore work uncomfortable. The skipper will reschedule weather days at no cost. For dorado specifically, July through September is peak — book 2 weeks out for a Saturday slot. Inshore trips can usually be booked same-day on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing charter in Marbella?
Inshore 2-hour trips start at €220 (low season) or €260 (high season) on a 6–8 m boat for up to 6 anglers. Deep-sea half-day (4 hours) costs €450 on a 9–11 m sportfisher. Full-day 8-hour offshore charters run €780–€950 depending on boat size and fuel allowance. All include skipper, mate, rods, reels, bait and tackle.
What fish will I catch?
From May to October the headliner is dorado (mahi-mahi) — schooling fish, fast bites, great for first-time anglers. Bluefin tuna season is May–July; expect 50–150 kg fish on heavy tackle. Amberjack are reliable year-round at 30–80 m depth. Bonito and Atlantic bonito show up September–November. Inshore trips target sea bream, mackerel, sea bass and small barracuda.
Do I need a fishing licence?
Yes — Andalucía requires a Licencia de Pesca Marítima de Recreo for sport fishing. Reputable charters include the licence in the boat's commercial permit, so as a paying guest you're covered. You'll need ID on board (passport or EU card) and the skipper handles paperwork.
Can I keep the fish?
Yes, within the daily quota. Andalucía allows 5 kg per person per day for recreational sea fishing, plus one fish over the size limit. Bluefin tuna is catch-and-release only during open season unless your skipper holds a commercial bluefin quota.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes — the mate does the heavy lifting and walks you through reel mechanics in 5 minutes. Inshore trips are the easiest first experience: shorter run-out, calmer water, lighter tackle. Kids over 8 cope well on inshore boats; deep-sea is harder for under-12s.