Boat Rental and Yacht Charter in Costa Brava

Spain's rugged northeastern coast, known for its beautiful beaches, historic towns, and the Salvador Dalí triangle. Where the Pyrenees kiss the Mediterranean!

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Frequently asked questions

What happens when I request a quote?

Once we receive your request, we will confirm the availability of the boat, as well as check for alternative ones. To ensure your experience is the best it can be, we may contact you to discuss your request in detail. Let us do the research for you - free of charge.

When can I get in touch with the captain/skipper?

The timing depends on your charter type. For crewed charters, we can provide the captain's contact details upon request. For bareboat charters with a hired skipper, you can request the contact information 1-3 weeks before departure.

What is the Charter Fee?

The Charter Fee is an additional, obligatory cost, which typically includes the end cleaning of the boat, home port fees, and linen & towels. The details of the charter fee differ depending on the boat, location and charter partner.

Are there any other costs I should be aware of?

There are marina fees and fuel costs which vary depending on the type, duration and location of your sailing holiday. Marina fees need to be paid at each marina you choose to dock overnight - the amount varies but you may be able to find this information in advance by contacting the marinas directly. Fuel costs depend on whether you’re sailing a motorboat or a sailboat. You can estimate fuel costs by double-checking your chosen boat’s engine, and the expected distance you aim to sail.

Sailing at the Costa Brava

A boat rental on the Costa Brava allows you to explore this part of Spain on your own terms and at your own pace. There is no need to catch a train or bus at a certain time, you simply start your mornings whenever you want and find a spot for anchoring or mooring during the night at whatever time pleases you. There is plenty to see and plenty of space to find the perfect beach to simply relax and enjoy your holiday.

Things to do and see when sailing on the Costa Brava

Aside from sunbathing on beautiful beaches, hiking in the most scenic spots and discovering picturesque historical villages, there are plenty of fun activities to participate in on the Costa Brava.

Activities on the Costa Brava

  • Explore the Beaches: The Costa Brava is renowned for its picturesque beaches. Spend a day relaxing on the golden sands, swimming in the crystal-clear waters, or trying out water sports such as snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, and kayaking

  • Visit Coastal Towns: Discover charming coastal towns and villages along the Costa Brava. Explore the historic streets of Tossa de Mar, wander through the stunning houses of Cadaqués and admire the breathtaking mountains in the background, or stroll along the medieval walls of Begur. Each town has its own unique character and attractions, but they are all blessed with longer stretches of mountainous landscapes and amazing opportunities for anchoring close to the shore.

  • Wander the Camí de Ronda: Embark on a scenic coastal hike along the Camí de Ronda trail. Originally created to help the local police to stop smugglers, this pathway stretches along the shoreline, offering breathtaking views of cliffs, hidden coves, and rugged landscapes, and is now enjoyed by tourists. You can choose shorter sections or tackle the entire route.

  • Explore Natural Parks: The Costa Brava is home to several natural parks and reserves. Visit the Cap de Creus Natural Park, the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park, or the Montgrí, the Medes Islands, and Baix Ter Natural Park. These areas are perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and simply enjoying time in nature.

Beaches on the Costa Brava

  • Platja de Canadell: This long sandy beach near Girona is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It offers clear waters and a gentle slope, making it safe and enjoyable for all. The beach offers well-maintained facilities, including nearby parking and easy access for boats, allowing you to anchor and enjoy the coastline from the sea.

  • Platja Gran (Tossa de Mar): Located in the heart of the charming town of Tossa de Mar, Platja Gran is a beautiful sandy beach known for its calm waters and family-friendly atmosphere. The beach is easily accessible and provides amenities such as beachside restaurants, showers, and boat services. It is also an excellent spot for both sunbathing and swimming.

  • Platja de Palamós: The charming holiday town of Palamós boasts a long and wide sandy beach called Platja de Palamós. It offers a spacious area for sunbathing and has calm waters suitable for swimming. The beach is easily accessible and has a marina nearby, making it convenient for those coming here by boat. Along the promenade, you'll find various shops, cafes, and restaurants to enhance your boat holiday experience. How about a cheesy souvenir reminding you of your sailing vacation along the Costa Brava after you have long gone home?

Restaurants on the Costa Brava

Casual dining on the Costa Brava:

  • PastaMano: You might not find traditional Catalonian cuisine here, but you will be spoiled with delicious and affordable Italian dishes. The pasta here is just as good as in Italy!

  • The Shack: Enjoy some delicious comfort food in a super fun environment.

Best restaurants with a view on the Costa Brava:

  • Tragamar: Fine dining and beach views all in one. Enjoy a wide range of Catalan dishes and delicacies made with fish

  • Cala Joncols: More than sea views, this wonderful restaurant offers you a look into nature. Surrounded by the sea and the mountains in the lovely town of Roses, you certainly won’t be disappointed dining here

Fine dining on the Costa Brava:

  • els Brancs: Located in Roses, this lovely restaurant offers delicious food with a view. Awarded a Michelin star, it is the perfect establishment to enjoy high quality Catalanian food.

  • Bo.Tic: This lovely restaurant boasts not just one, but two Michelin stars and rightfully so. Located in a rather rustic house, the elegant furniture offers a modern touch

Bars and Clubs on the Costa Brava

  • Disco Tropics: Dance the night away in this fun club in the notorious party town of Lloret de Mar. Located in the heart of the town, you won’t be disappointed

  • Boia Nit: A wonderful and fun place to be after a long day out on a boat, this lovely bar is preparing you delicious drinks and food

Explore the historical Costa Brava

Exploring the historical side of the Costa Brava can be a fascinating experience as you get to see that this magical coast has more to offer than beautiful beaches and fun parties.

Take the beautiful town of Tossa de Mar as an example. The town is not only known for its beautiful beaches but also for its well-preserved medieval town. Take a stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Vila Vella (Old Town), surrounded by ancient walls. Admire the medieval architecture, visit the 12th-century Tossa Castle, and explore the Municipal Museum housed in the Palau de Sac Batlle.

Sailing conditions on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is blessed with typical Mediterranean weather, meaning that summers are hot and dry while winters are colder, but still relatively mild. The summer months July and August are the warmest months of the year, but temperatures generally average at 28 degrees throughout the warmer months.

The Costa Brava offers a good number of marinas and mooring options along its coastline. It's advisable to plan ahead and reserve a berth in advance, especially during the peak summer season when demand is high.

How much does it cost to rent a boat on the Costa Brava?

A boat rental on the Costa Brava really doesn’t have to break your bank. In fact, it could even be more affordable than booking a hotel room. Rent a sailboat in Spain at an average price of just 68 EUR per person per day. Renting a catamaran or motorboat might be slightly more expensive, but comes with many different amenities. A catamaran rental in Spain costs an average of 111 EUR per person per day while a motorboat charter in Spain will cost you 179 EUR per person per day on average. If you don’t want to rent a boat on the Costa Brava for a whole week, you can always opt for a day charter. A speedboat or RIB rental on the Costa Brava would be your best choice and don’t come at a crazy high price. Rent a speedboat in Spain at an average price of 85 EUR per person per day while a RIB rental in Spain comes at an even lower price at just 54 EUR per person per day.

What type of boat is best for sailing on the Costa Brava?

It all depends on the kind of holiday you aim at having here. If you want to sunbathe and explore the different beautiful beaches this part of Spain has to offer, a yacht with a shallow draft will be the perfect choice. If you are looking for an adventure and to be one with nature a sailboat might be a better option. If you just want to explore the northeastern Spanish coast for a day, a RIB or speedboat is the right fit.

Rent a catamaran on the Costa Brava

Pros of renting a catamaran on the Costa Brava

A catamaran rental on the Costa Brava is great for anyone who wants to relax and enjoy as much space as possible on board a boat. Simply a little bit of luxury on board a boat. Due to their build, standing on two hulls, catamarans are generally bigger and more spacious than other types of boats, leaving enough room to stretch your legs, sunbathe on deck and sleep in a cabin that feels more like a hotel room rather than a tiny cabin on board a boat.

A catamaran hire on the Costa Brava is also a fantastic choice for those who like the adventure and flexibility of sailing, but with a certain level of comfort and the option to revert to more comfortable options of moving forward on the water. Catamarans are equipped with a sail as well as an engine, allowing you to choose how you want to drive the yacht without being too dependent on mother nature. Should the wind suddenly stop blowing, you won’t get stuck in the middle of the sea. You can simply use your engine and drive to your next destination.

Another great thing about catamarans is the fact that they feel much more stable than other types of boats. Standing on two hulls doesn’t just allow for more space on board, it also allows for more stability. A catamaran charter on the Costa Brava will feel a lot less shaky - and particularly people who get seasick easily will be grateful for that.

Cons of renting a catamaran on the Costa Brava

One of the downsides of a catamaran charter on the Costa Brava is the fact that catamarans are quite big, making it rather difficult to navigate them in narrow spaces, including the marinas. You will also have to pay extra for taking up extra space.

Another factor to consider when chartering a catamaran on the Costa Brava is the fact that catamarans are generally lighter than other types of boats. This can slow them down significantly and make them less ideal to take on longer distances at once.

Rent a catamaran on the Costa Brava

Rent a sailboat on the Costa Brava

Pros of renting a sailboat on the Costa Brava

One of the biggest advantages of a sailboat rental on the Costa Brava is the simple fact that you will be quite autonomous while sailing along the beautiful Spanish coastline. Although you have to keep in mind that you are totally dependent on the wind when sailing on a sailboat, you also have the flexibility to decide when and where you want to go back on land.

If you are concerned about the environment, but still want to enjoy a vacation on the water, a sailboat might be your best bet. They don’t release any additional CO2-emissions as you only use the wind as fuel.

Cons of renting a sailboat on the Costa Brava

One of the downsides of a sailboat charter on the Costa Brava is the fact that sailboats are highly dependent on mother nature. The wind determines not only if you can sail when the winds are strong enough, but also if they are too strong and therefore too dangerous for you to be out and about on the water.

Another thing to keep in mind when sailing on a sailboat on the Costa Brava is that sailboats come with a keel which can make it difficult or even dangerous to sail too close to the shore. Therefore you might be missing out on visiting some of the stunning beaches you have heard so much about.

Rent a sailboat on the Costa Brava

Rent a motorboat on the Costa Brava

Pros of renting a motorboat on the Costa Brava

A motorboat rental on the Costa Brava is a great choice for anyone who wants to explore the Spanish coast in style, comfort and with a little bit of luxury. Motorboats are generally well-equipped and provide more than basic amenities like a fully equipped kitchen and plenty of space to sunbathe on deck. Motorboats come with a shallow draft, making them ideal to explore the beautiful beaches along the coast.

Another great thing to note about a motorboat hire on the Costa Brava is the fact that motorboats are generally faster than other types of boats, making them the ideal water vehicle of choice when you want to get from one place to another in a relatively short amount of time.

Cons of renting a motorboat on the Costa Brava

Renting a motorboat on the Costa Brava might seem super convenient at first, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. As motorboats are solely fueled by petrol, you need to ensure leaving the marinas with a full tank at all times and stay in close proximity to them in case you’re slowly running out of petrol.

Rent a motorboat on the Costa Brava

What kind of boat licence do you need when renting a boat on the Costa Brava?

No sailing experience and no licence? That’s not a problem in Spain as you can sail a sailboat that is shorter than 6 metres and drive a motorboat that is shorter than 5 metres without a boat licence - but only if their speed doesn’t exceed 15hp.

If you are a little scared of driving a boat without any experience at all or simply want to lean back and enjoy your holiday, you can always hire a skipper in addition to your bareboat charter with Borrow A Boat.

Sailing routes on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is one of Spain’s most famous and beautiful stretches of coastline. Historic villages, scenic landscapes and beautiful sunrises make it one of the most amazing spots for a vacation.

Day 1 - Sail from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar: Start your sailing journey on the Costa Brava by departing from Barcelona. Sail along the coast heading north towards Tossa de Mar, a picturesque town with beautiful beaches and a medieval castle.

Day 2 Sail from Tossa de Mar to Llafranc: Continue sailing north from Tossa de Mar to the charming fishing village of Llafranc. Enjoy the scenic views of the coastline and anchor in Llafranc's tranquil bay. Explore the village, relax on the beach, and savor fresh seafood in the local restaurants.

Day 3 - Sail from Llafranc to Begur: Set sail towards the town of Begur, known for its historic center and stunning coastal scenery. Anchor in one of the nearby coves, such as Aiguablava or Sa Tuna, and take in the crystal-clear waters and rocky cliffs. Visit Begur's castle and wander through its narrow streets lined with shops and cafes.

Day 4 - Sail from Begur to Cadaqués: Head northeast from Begur to the picturesque town of Cadaqués. This charming coastal village, famous for its white-washed houses, was once home to Salvador Dalí. Explore the narrow streets, visit the Dalí House-Museum, and enjoy the local cuisine in the waterfront restaurants.

Day 5 - Sail from Cadaqués to Port de la Selva: Continue your sailing adventure to Port de la Selva, a peaceful fishing village surrounded by natural beauty. Anchor in the bay, go for a swim in the clear waters, and take a stroll along the promenade. Visit the nearby Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes for panoramic views of the coastline.

Day 6 - Sail from Port de la Selva to Roses: Sail south from Port de la Selva to the vibrant town of Roses. This popular tourist destination offers beautiful beaches, water sports activities, and a lively promenade lined with shops and restaurants. Explore the historic Citadel of Roses and indulge in delicious local seafood.

Day 7 - Sail from Roses to Empuriabrava: On the last day of your sailing trip, head south from Roses to Empuriabrava, also known as the "Venice of the Costa Brava" due to its extensive network of canals. Enjoy the unique atmosphere and take a boat ride through the marina. Relax on the beach or explore the nearby natural park of Aiguamolls de l'Empordà.

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