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Costa del Sol Boat Trips: Which Boat to Pick

  • 4cruises compared
  • €15lowest price
  • 1 h to 3 htime on the water
  • 4boarding points

The cruise to check first

Malaga bay catamaran cruise, daytime or sunset

1 h · from €15 · 8.1/10 (517)

Check dates and price

Updated 29 October 2026

Which one, depending on what you want

Cruises in Costa del Sol side by side

For most visitors, the best boat trip depends on where you are staying: in Malaga, the bay catamaran (from 15 €, an 8.1 from 517 reviews); in Marbella, the dolphin-watching catamaran from Puerto Banús (from 60 €, a 9.5); in Estepona, the small-boat cruise with a guide (from 40 €, a 9.2).

There is also a sailboat from Puerto Banús, 2 or 3 hours, from 49 € per person. Mind the scores: the three trips outside Malaga have between 15 and 26 reviews each, so their high scores weigh less than Malaga's 8.1, which comes from 517.

Boat trips in Costa del Sol compared by type, duration, boat, food, price and rating
CruiseDurationOpen or coveredFoodPriceRating
Malaga bay catamaran cruise, daytime or sunsetSightseeingOur pick 1 h Not stated No food from €15 8.1/10 (517)
Puerto Banús catamaran tour with dolphin watchingSightseeing 2 h Not stated Drinks or snacks from €60 9.5/10 (15)
Puerto Banús sailing boat tour, 2 or 3 hoursSightseeing 3 h Not stated Drinks or snacks from €49 9.7/10 (18)
Estepona Bay boat cruise, with possible dolphinsSightseeing 2 h Not stated Drinks or snacks from €40 9.2/10 (26)

Boat sheets

One sheet per cruise, same fields in the same order. Open a sheet for the pier, the commentary and what is included.

Sightseeing · Day · SunsetOur pick

Malaga bay catamaran cruise, daytime or sunset

One hour on a catamaran facing the Malaga skyline, with sunset, live music and boat nets versions, from 15 €.

from €15

8.1/10 from 517 reviews on Civitatis

  • 1 h
  • Not stated
  • No food
  • Muelle Uno, Paseo de la Farola
  • Free cancellation up to 24 h before

Who it suitsAnyone short of time or money in Malaga: one hour from 15 €, with the most reviews on the page (517). There are fares for seniors over 65 and for children aged 4 to 12.

Pick something else ifSkip it if you want dolphins or a swim: the listing mentions neither. For those, look at the trips from Puerto Banús or Estepona.

Check dates and price
Boarding, commentary, what is included
Boarding point
Muelle Uno, Paseo de la Farola. Be at Catamarán Mundo Marino Málaga, on Pier 1 (Muelle Uno) of Paseo de la Farola in the port of Malaga, 30 minutes before departure. Open pier on the map
Open or covered
A catamaran yacht, according to the listing. Only some areas are wheelchair accessible, and the toilets are. Pets are allowed. The nets option gives access to the boat's nets so you can relax closer to the water.
Commentary
The listing mentions an English-speaking crew, not guided commentary.
Included
  • Catamaran cruise
  • English-speaking crew
  • Glass of cava or a soft drink (depending on the option)
  • Live music on board (depending on the option)
  • Access to the boat nets (depending on the option)
Not included
  • The listing names no exclusions: the drink, music and nets depend on the option
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. After that, or if you do not show up, there is no refund.

Sources: Civitatis catalogue. Checked on 29 October 2026.

Sightseeing · Day

Puerto Banús catamaran tour with dolphin watching

Two hours on a catamaran across the Alboran Sea, in a group of up to 12, with drinks, snacks, paddle surf, snorkeling and a swim stop.

from €60

9.5/10 from 15 reviews on Civitatis

  • 2 h
  • Not stated
  • Drinks or snacks
  • Muelle de Puerto Banús, pantalán 1, atraque 54-55
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before

Who it suitsSmall groups who want a boat with activities and drinks included: from 60 €, with a 9.5 from 15 reviews. There is a category for children aged 2 to 8 and the minimum age is 2.

Pick something else ifSkip it if you want the most reliable score: 15 reviews is few. If you want to sail, the sailboat lasts 2 or 3 hours and starts at 49 €.

Check dates and price
Boarding, commentary, what is included
Boarding point
Muelle de Puerto Banús, pantalán 1, atraque 54-55. Go to the Puerto Banús pier, pontoon 1, berth 54-55; the pontoon gate is in front of the Dior and Dolce & Gabbana stores. The listing recommends arriving 15 minutes early. Open pier on the map
Open or covered
A spacious catamaran, according to the listing, with fishing rods, paddle surf equipment and snorkeling goggles on board. It is not wheelchair accessible.
Commentary
An English-speaking guide, according to what the listing includes. Dolphins are a possibility, not a promise: the listing says that with a bit of luck you may see them up close.
Included
  • 2-hour catamaran trip
  • English-speaking guide
  • Aperitif and drinks on board (water, wine, cava, soft drinks and beer)
  • Fishing rod, paddle surf equipment and snorkeling goggles
  • Small groups, no more than 12 people
Not included
  • Transportation to the meeting point
  • Gratuities
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before. After that, or if you do not show up, there is no refund.

Sources: Civitatis catalogue. Checked on 29 October 2026.

Sightseeing · Day

Puerto Banús sailing boat tour, 2 or 3 hours

A sailboat with cabins, a kitchen and a deck with sun loungers, with bay views, swimming, paddle surf and snorkeling.

from €49

9.7/10 from 18 reviews on Civitatis

  • 3 h
  • Not stated
  • Drinks or snacks
  • Calle Ribera 17, pantalán 4, atraque 254, Puerto Banús
  • Free cancellation up to 48 h before

Who it suitsAnyone who wants to sail and spend longer at sea: from 49 € per person, with a minimum age of 12 and a maximum of 12 people.

Pick something else ifSkip it with children under 12. With 18 reviews, the 9.7 is still a small sample.

Check dates and price
Boarding, commentary, what is included
Boarding point
Calle Ribera 17, pantalán 4, atraque 254, Puerto Banús. Find Auster Sailors at Calle Ribera 17, pontoon 4, berth 254, in Puerto Banús, 20 minutes early. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen and something warm. Open pier on the map
Open or covered
A sailboat with a spacious deck with sun loungers, three double cabins, a kitchen and a living area, according to the listing. It is not wheelchair accessible.
Commentary
An English-speaking tour escort. The listing names what you may see: the northern Moroccan mountains, Gibraltar and Torrecilla Peak, and with luck dolphins or sunfish.
Included
  • Sailing boat ride of 2 or 3 hours, your choice
  • English-speaking tour escort
  • Drinks (soft drinks, beer, white wine or champagne) and snacks
  • Paddleboarding equipment and a snorkeling mask
Not included
  • The listing names no exclusions
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before. After that, or if you do not show up, there is no refund.

Sources: Civitatis catalogue. Checked on 29 October 2026.

Sightseeing · Day

Estepona Bay boat cruise, with possible dolphins

Two hours on a small boat with an English-speaking guide, a drink and a snack, and a swim stop if the sea allows.

from €40

9.2/10 from 26 reviews on Civitatis

  • 2 h
  • Not stated
  • Drinks or snacks
  • Pantalán 5, Puerto Deportivo de Estepona
  • Free cancellation up to 24 h before

Who it suitsAnyone staying in Estepona who wants a relaxed two-hour outing: from 40 €, a 9.2 from 26 reviews, with a drink and a snack included.

Pick something else ifSkip it if you are based in Malaga or Marbella: the trip leaves from Estepona marina. Dolphins depend on the day and the sea, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

Check dates and price
Boarding, commentary, what is included
Boarding point
Pantalán 5, Puerto Deportivo de Estepona. The guide waits at the door of Pantalán 5 in Estepona marina, next to the El Greek del Puerto restaurant. Arrive 10 minutes early. Open pier on the map
Open or covered
A small boat, according to the listing. The captain picks the heading from sea conditions and recent dolphin sightings: west (Rada beach, Punta Doncella with its lighthouse) or east (the Estepona coastline and, in the distance, La Concha mountain in Marbella).
Commentary
An English-speaking guide, with informative material, according to the listing.
Included
  • Boat cruise of about 2 hours
  • English-speaking guide
  • A drink and a snack
  • Informative material
Not included
  • Personal expenses
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. After that, or if you do not show up, there is no refund.

Sources: Civitatis catalogue. Checked on 29 October 2026.

Three questions, one cruise

Tell us how much time you have, whether you want to eat on board and when you can go.

Sunset in Costa del Sol today Plan a sunset cruise
/ How much time do you have?
Next: food on board and time of day

Still deciding?

One page per decision, with the cruises it compares.

Puerto Banús Dolphin Catamaran, Sailboat or Estepona Cruise

The dolphin-watching catamaran (from 60 €, 2 hours) is the most complete on drinks, snacks and activities.

Is the Malaga Bay Catamaran Cruise Worth It?

Yes, if you want a short, cheap hour of views from the sea: from 15 €, with an 8.1 from 517 reviews.

Where to Board a Boat Trip on the Costa del Sol

Each trip leaves from a different point.

Questions about boat trips in Costa del Sol

What is the best boat trip on the Costa del Sol?

It depends where you stay. In Malaga, the bay catamaran from 15 €. In Marbella, the Puerto Banús dolphin catamaran from 60 €. In Estepona, the boat cruise from 40 €.

How much does a boat trip on the Costa del Sol cost?

From 15 € for the Malaga catamaran, 40 € for Estepona, 49 € per person for the sailboat and 60 € for the Puerto Banús dolphin catamaran.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The Puerto Banús and Estepona listings present them as a possibility, not a guarantee.

Can I swim during the trip?

On the three trips outside Malaga there is a swim stop if the sea allows. The Malaga listing does not mention swimming.

Can I cancel a boat trip on the Costa del Sol?

Yes, free up to 24 hours before in Malaga and Estepona, and up to 48 hours before at Puerto Banús.

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