Puerto Banus Yacht Charter: Prices, Scams & Best Boats 2026

You want to charter a yacht in Puerto Banus. Maybe you've seen the Instagrams—champagne on deck, anchor drop at Nikki Beach, that perfect golden hour shot with Gibraltar in the distance.

Here's what nobody tells you: the yacht charter Puerto Banus market is full of hidden fees, misleading photos, and operators who'll quote you €1,500 then hand you a €2,800 bill at the dock.

This guide cuts through it. Real prices. Actual boats you can book. The fees they don't mention until you're committed.

Quick Decision Table: Best Yacht Charters Puerto Banus

Why Charter a Yacht in Puerto Banus?

Puerto Banus isn't just a marina. It's the Med's unofficial showroom for wealth.

You'll motor past €50 million superyachts in calm waters, wave at the crowds nursing €18 spritzes at Nikki Beach, and feel like you've stepped into someone else's trust fund.

Most visitors book these charters as a day trip from their luxury villa in Marbella to complete the VIP experience.

But here's the thing: the charter market here is designed to confuse you. Operators know you're on vacation, slightly buzzed, and won't read the fine print until you're already on board.

Let's fix that.

The 6 Best Yacht Charters in Puerto Banus (Honest Reviews)

1. Astondoa 102 – The Superyacht Experience

Price: From €9,500/day (Low Season) to €12,000+ (High Season) Length: 30 meters
Capacity: 12 guests + crew of 5

This is the boat you charter when you want your crew to outnumber your guests.

The Astondoa 102 has a jacuzzi on the foredeck, marble countertops in the galley, and a master suite that's bigger than most Marbella hotel rooms. The staff serves you canapés you can't pronounce. The sound system costs more than a hatchback.

You'll cruise at 25 knots. Arrive at Gibraltar for lunch. Return via Estepona with the sun setting behind you and a gin-tonic mixed exactly how you described it three hours earlier.

Pros:

• →Full crew (captain, chef, stewardess, deck hands)
• →Jacuzzi with Med views
• →Jet ski and paddleboards included
• →Climate-controlled cabins (rare in Mediterranean charters)

Cons:

• →Minimum 4-hour booking (usually full-day only)
• →Fuel is extra—expect €2,000-€2,500 on top
• →Port fees in Puerto Banus can add €600
• →You'll feel guilty if you're the only two people on it

Choose this if: You're celebrating something massive (50th birthday, engagement, closed a Series B). You want professional crew who anticipate your needs before you voice them.

Avoid this if: Your group is under 6 people, or you're chartering "just to try it." The minimum spend makes smaller groups feel wasteful.

Book now: Browse luxury yachts (GetYourGuide) → | Compare prices (Click&Boat) →

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2. Sunseeker Predator 72 – The Classic Marbella Choice

Price: €4,500/day
Length: 22 meters
Capacity: 10 guests

This is the yacht you picture when you think "Marbella."

Sleek. Fast. That aggressive bow cutting through the water at 35 knots. The Sunseeker Predator is the boat every operator has in their fleet because it's the boat everyone asks for.

The flybridge gives you 360° views. The cabins are compact but stylish. There's a swim platform at the stern that becomes your private diving board when you anchor off Cabopino.

Pros:

• →Speed—you'll reach Gibraltar in 90 minutes
• →The "look"—this boat photographs better than others
• →Large sunbeds on the bow
• →Bluetooth sound system (decent bass)

Cons:

• →Choppy in rough seas (the aggressive hull feels every wave)
• →Cabins are tight for overnight stays
• →Popular = fully booked in July-August (book 3+ weeks ahead)

Choose this if: You want the quintessential Puerto Banus experience. You're doing a day trip to see dolphins off Gibraltar. You value style and speed.

Avoid this if: You get seasick easily, or you're planning to stay overnight (the cabins work for naps, not sleep).

Book now: Browse yacht charters (GetYourGuide) → | Compare prices (Click&Boat) →

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3. Catamaran Lagoon 440 – Best for Groups & Parties

Price: €1,500/half-day (€2,400/full day)
Length: 13 meters
Capacity: 12 guests

This is the boat for hen parties, stag dos, and friend groups who care more about stability than status.

Catamarans are wide. You don't get that "rocking" feeling that ruins half your group's afternoon. The nets stretched between the hulls become prime sunbathing real estate—everyone fights over them.

The Lagoon 440 isn't fast (cruises at 10 knots). But it's social. The deck space is massive. You can set up a speaker, crack open the coolers, and the captain won't care if you're singing "Sweet Caroline" off-key at 3pm.

Pros:

• →Most stable ride—perfect for non-sailors
• →Huge deck space for groups
• →Affordable when split 10-12 ways (€125-€150/person)
• →Snorkel gear included

Cons:

• →Slow—you won't reach Gibraltar on a half-day
• →Not luxurious (it's functional, not fancy)
• →You'll need to BYOB (no catering unless you arrange it)

Choose this if: You're organizing a group event. Someone in your crew gets seasick on normal boats. You want affordable fun over Instagram clout.

Avoid this if: You're a couple looking for romance. This boat is built for volume, not intimacy.

Book now: Browse yacht options (GetYourGuide) → | Compare prices (Click&Boat) →

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4. Mangusta 80 – The "See and Be Seen" Machine

Price: €5,500/day
Length: 24 meters
Capacity: 10 guests

The Mangusta 80 is an open-top beast.

No hardtop. No shade unless you request the bimini (and even then, it's minimal). This boat is designed for one thing: looking incredible while you're on it.

The sunbeds are enormous. The sound system could power a club in Puerto Banus itself. You'll cruise at 30 knots with the wind whipping your hair while your Instagram boyfriend takes 400 shots of you on the bow.

Pros:

• →Maximum sunlight and views
• →Massive sunbeds (fit 4 people comfortably)
• →Powerful sound system
• →The most "head-turning" boat at anchor

Cons:

• →Zero shade (you'll fry by 2pm without serious SPF)
• →Loud—the engine + music combo is intense
• →Fuel consumption is brutal (expect 30-35% extra for APA)

Choose this if: You want attention. You're creating content. Your group thrives in full sun. You've got the playlist to match the vibe.

Avoid this if: Anyone in your group burns easily, or you prefer a mellow, conversation-friendly environment.

Book now: Browse yacht experiences (GetYourGuide) → | Compare prices (Click&Boat) →

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5. Azimut 43 – Affordable Luxury for Couples

Price: €1,200/half-day (€2,000/full day)
Length: 13 meters
Capacity: 6 guests

This is the boat for people who want a real yacht experience without the superyacht price tag.

The Azimut 43 has a flybridge—your elevated perch above the world. The interiors are polished wood and leather. There's a proper galley where the captain's partner (who moonlights as chef) can prepare a seafood lunch.

It's intimate. You'll feel like you own it for the day, not like you're renting it.

Pros:

• →Flybridge gives you captain-view perspectives
• →Cabins are comfortable (good for afternoon naps)
• →Manageable price for couples or families of 4
• →Includes snorkel gear and paddleboard

Cons:

• →Slower than sportier yachts (cruises at 18 knots)
• →Only one crew member (captain handles everything)
• →Limited shade on deck

Choose this if: You're a couple wanting a romantic full-day charter. You prefer quality over showing off. You want to actually relax, not perform.

Avoid this if: You're bringing 8+ people. This boat shines with smaller, closer groups.

Book now: Browse private yachts (GetYourGuide) → | Compare prices (Click&Boat) →

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6. Shared Sunset Cruise – Budget-Friendly Option

Price: €80/person (2.5 hours)
Boat Type: Various (usually a 50-60ft motor yacht)
Capacity: 20-30 passengers total

Can't afford a private charter? The shared sunset cruise is your entry point.

You'll board around 6pm. They'll hand you a glass of cava (Spanish sparkling wine, not champagne—despite what the brochure says). The boat motors past the marina, hugs the coast toward Estepona, then turns back as the sun drops behind the Sierra Blanca.

It's touristy. You'll share the deck with honeymooners, a family from Birmingham, and a guy who won't stop talking about his NFT portfolio. But the views are real, and €80 is less than dinner at La Sala.

Pros:

• →Cheapest way to get on the water
• →No planning required (book same-day)
• →Cava and light snacks included
• →Actual sunset timing (they adjust departure based on season)

Cons:

• →Crowded—expect 25+ people
• →Limited space to move around
• →Can't control the route or stops
• →Music selection is… questionable

Choose this if: You're solo, on a budget, or just want to test the waters before committing to a private charter.

Avoid this if: You need privacy, want to swim, or hate crowds.

Book now: Browse sunset cruises (GetYourGuide) →

Hidden Costs & Scams to Watch For

The "Puerto Banus Fee" Trap

Operators quote you a price. Then they mention the boat is "based in Cabopino" (15km east). To depart from Puerto Banus itself—the marina everyone pictures—you'll pay €400-€800 extra in "port fees."

Solution: Ask upfront: "Does this price include departure from Puerto Banus marina, or is there a port fee?"

APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) = Fuel

Big yachts don't include fuel. You'll see "APA: 30%" in the contract.

That means: Charter costs €5,000. Add 30% = €6,500 total.

The crew tracks fuel, drinks, food, marina fees. At the end, they reconcile. If you used €1,400 of the €1,500 APA, you get €100 back. If you went over, you pay the difference.

Solution: Budget 30-35% extra for yachts over 20 meters. For smaller boats (under 15m), fuel is usually included in the day rate.

Skipper Tips

The captain is included. But tipping is expected.

Standard is 10% of the charter price for excellent service, 5-7% for adequate. If your crew went above and beyond—stopped at that secret cove, grilled fresh prawns—lean toward 12-15%.

On a €4,000 charter, budget €400-€600 for tips. Cash, handed directly to the captain at the dock.

"Free Drinks" That Aren't

Some operators say "open bar included." Then you discover it's:

• →Local beer (Cruzcampo)
• →Box wine
• →Spanish cava

Want Veuve Clicquot? That's €90/bottle extra.

Solution: Ask for the drink menu in advance. Decide if you want premium spirits/champagne, or if you'll bring your own (most boats allow this with a "corkage" fee of €50-€100).

Best Destinations from Puerto Banus

Nikki Beach (15 minutes)

Drop anchor 50 meters offshore. Swim in. Order the tuna tataki and a magnum of rosé. The staff know you came by yacht—they'll fast-track your beach bed.

This is the move. Everyone does it. It's cliché because it works.

After lunch, you swim back to your boat, rinse off with the deck shower, and cruise toward Marbella while the lunch crowd is still settling their €600 bills at Nikki Beach.

Gibraltar (90 minutes by fast yacht)

The trip to Gibraltar is about the journey, not the destination.

You'll see dolphins. Not "maybe see dolphins." You'll see them. They ride the bow wave of your yacht, jumping and playing. The captain will slow down so you can lean over the rail and watch them 2 meters away.

At Gibraltar, you anchor off Sandy Bay. Swim. Have lunch on board. Then speed back to Puerto Banus with the wind in your face.

Estepona (30 minutes)

Estepona is the "authentic" alternative to Marbella.

The waterfront is all chiringuitos (beach bars) and families playing in the shallows. Anchor off Playa del Cristo, where the water is turquoise and calm. This is where locals go—it's less showy, more real.

On the way back, ask your captain to stop near the cliffs between Estepona and Marbella. The rock formations are ancient. The water glows electric blue in the afternoon light. You'll have it to yourself.

How to Book Smart

Book Direct vs. Platforms

Platforms (Viator, GetYourGuide, Click&Boat) add 15-20% commission but handle disputes and offer protection.

Booking direct saves money but if the operator cancels or the boat is a mess, you're negotiating solo.

My advice: Use platforms for first-time charters. Once you find a captain you trust, book direct the next time and ask for the "repeat client" discount (usually 10%).

Timing Your Charter

• →May-June: Best value. Water is warm (20°C), tourists haven't arrived yet. Operators offer 15-20% off midweek bookings.
• →July-August: Peak insanity. Book 4-6 weeks ahead. Prices spike 30-40%. The water is bathtub-warm (24°C), but so are the beaches.
• →September: Secret weapon. Smaller crowds. Prices drop 25% after Labor Day. Water is still 22°C.

Weather Cancellations

Most operators cancel for free if wind exceeds 20 knots or wave height hits 1.5 meters. But "rough seas" is subjective.

Ask: "What's your wind/wave cancellation policy, and who decides if it's unsafe?" Get it in writing.

Is a Yacht Charter Worth It?

If you've got €1,200-€5,000 to spend on a single day, yes.

But here's the reality check: it's expensive, you'll need to tip, and half your group will spend the first hour adjusting to the motion.

That said—once you're anchored off a deserted cove, jumping off the swim platform into water so clear you can see the anchor chain on the seabed 8 meters down, with a cold beer in hand and the Costa del Sol cliffs glowing golden in the afternoon light—you'll forget about the price.

If you'd rather stay on land, check out Marbella's beach clubs or book a tee time at one of the best golf resorts on the Costa del Sol.

And if you're driving from Málaga, grab a rental through MalagaCar for easy access to the port.

Final Takeaway: Yacht Charter Puerto Banus in 2026

The yacht charter Puerto Banus experience is worth it—if you budget correctly and avoid the traps.

For couples: Azimut 43 gives you luxury without the guilt.
For groups: Catamaran Lagoon 440 keeps everyone happy (and stable).
For showing off: Mangusta 80 or Sunseeker Predator 72 deliver that Marbella glamour.

Just remember: read the contract. Ask about APA and port fees. Tip your captain. And bring sunscreen that works—nothing ruins a yacht day like spending the next 48 hours as a lobster.

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