Yacht charter in Marbella means stepping onto a 10-to-25-metre crewed motor yacht at Puerto Banús (occasionally Marbella Marina), being handed a cold drink, and being driven up the Golden Mile coastline by a licensed skipper who knows where the wind drops in the afternoon. Prices start at €450 for a 4-hour trip and scale up to €4,500+ for a full day on a 25-metre superyacht with butler service.
Yacht charter Marbella prices in 2026
Crewed charter is priced by hull length, season and duration — not by guest count up to the boat's licensed capacity. The pricing grid below covers the boats that actually run from Puerto Banús and Marbella Marina, with the skipper, fuel and standard inclusions baked in.
| Hull length | 4 h low season | 4 h high season | Full day (8 h) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–12 m motor yacht | €450 | €550 | €750–€900 | 8–10 |
| 13–15 m motor yacht | €600 | €780 | €1,100–€1,400 | 10–12 |
| 16–18 m motor yacht | €900 | €1,200 | €1,800–€2,200 | 10–12 |
| 19–22 m luxury yacht | €1,400 | €1,800 | €2,400–€3,400 | 10–12 |
| 24 m+ superyacht | €2,200 | €2,800 | €4,500+ | 12–20 |
For the cheapest yacht charter Marbella entry point, look at weekday morning slots in May, early June or October — operators discount 10–15% to fill the calendar before peak.
Crewed vs bareboat
Roughly 95% of yacht charters from Marbella are crewed — you and your group are guests, the skipper handles the helm. Bareboat (self-drive) charter exists but requires either a Spanish PNB/PER licence or a recognised foreign equivalent (RYA Day Skipper with the ICC stamp is the most common one we see from UK customers). Even with the licence, most groups still prefer crewed because Puerto Banús's berthing manoeuvres in summer wind are not the part of your day you want to remember.
Departing from Puerto Banús
Puerto Banús is the natural home for yacht charter in Marbella. Yachts above 12 metres almost all berth here, and the marina infrastructure (deep water, large pontoons, walking distance restaurants for pre-board lunch) is built for charter operations. Walk down from the multi-storey carpark, your skipper meets you at the gangway with a passenger list, the safety briefing takes 90 seconds, and you're off the pontoon within 15 minutes of arrival.
If you prefer something quieter, larger yachts can also pick up from Marbella Marina by arrangement (10-minute reposition motor across the bay) for the same charter price — but most guests just enjoy the Puerto Banús experience.
Typical 8-hour itinerary
- 10:30 Boarding at Pier 3, welcome drinks, safety briefing.
- 11:00 Depart Puerto Banús, cruise west at 12 knots past Estepona.
- 12:30 Anchor off Cala del Faro, swim, paddleboard, snorkelling, lunch on board (BYO or catered).
- 14:30 Re-anchor at Sotogrande or push back east towards Marbella.
- 16:00 Optional tender ride to a beach club, or anchor near Ocean Club for a swim-up.
- 18:30 Return to Puerto Banús, arrive with sunset light on the Golden Mile.
Skippers happily modify — heading east towards dolphin watching grounds and Cabopino is a popular variation, especially if you've done the western route before.
What's included on a yacht charter
- Licensed skipper for the full duration
- Fuel for a standard coastal cruising itinerary (high-speed laps cost extra)
- Soft drinks, water and ice in the galley fridge
- Light snacks (fruit, crisps, biscuits)
- Snorkelling gear (masks, fins) and at least one inflatable toy (donut or SUP)
- Towels for every guest
- Marina exit and re-entry fees from the home port
Not included: alcohol (BYO welcome on most boats — ask when you book), catered lunch (€25–€60 per head from the dockside caterers), berth taxes for stops at non-home marinas, and skipper tip. For the wider boat rental Marbella options including smaller and cheaper boats, compare on the main hub.
Yacht charter Marbella vs. yacht charter elsewhere on the Costa del Sol
The Marbella stretch — particularly Puerto Banús — concentrates more luxury motor yachts than anywhere else on the Costa del Sol. Estepona has roughly a quarter of Puerto Banús's fleet, with Sotogrande further west adding smaller numbers. If you specifically want a sailing yacht or catamaran rather than a motor yacht, see our dedicated catamaran rental Marbella page — catamarans cluster in slightly different berths.
How to book a yacht charter in Marbella
Message us on WhatsApp with date, duration, group size and any preferences (sun pads vs shaded cockpit, swim-heavy vs cruising, specific lunch caterer). We send back 2–3 yacht options with photos and pricing within an hour during business hours. Confirm with a 30% deposit, balance on the boarding day. Cancellation up to 7 days before is fully refundable; weather cancellations are always 100% refundable.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a yacht charter in Marbella?
Crewed motor yacht charter in Marbella costs from €450 for a 4-hour trip on a 10-12 metre yacht in low season, rising to €900 for the same 4 hours on an 18-metre yacht in August. A full 8-hour day on a 12-metre yacht is €750–€900; on a luxury 20-metre yacht €1,800–€2,400. Skipper, fuel and drinks included.
Do I need a licence to charter a yacht in Marbella?
Not when you book a crewed charter — the skipper holds the licence. If you want bareboat (self-drive) on anything above 5 m / 15 hp, you need a PNB or PER Spanish licence, or a recognised foreign equivalent such as the RYA Day Skipper with the ICC stamp.
What's the difference between a yacht charter and a boat rental?
In Marbella, 'yacht charter' usually means a motor or sail yacht 10 metres or longer, professionally crewed, departing from a marina with full marina services. 'Boat rental' is the broader term that also covers smaller licence-free runabouts and 6-8 m day boats. Anything over €400 for 4 hours is almost always a yacht charter.
Can we anchor and swim during the charter?
Yes. Standard itineraries include two anchor stops for swimming and snorkelling — typical spots are Cala del Faro west of Estepona, the anchorage off Cabopino dunes, or the deeper water off Río Verde. Your skipper will pick based on wind and chop on the day.
Is gratuity expected?
Tipping the skipper is customary, not compulsory. €20–€50 in cash at the end of a half-day is normal; 10% of the charter price on luxury yachts is the upper-end convention. Tips are split between captain and any deckhand.