If you’re the one who’s ended up organising the group celebration (a hen or stag do, a milestone birthday, or that “we should do something different” nobody quite pins down), you know the credit isn’t in the idea but in making it all run smoothly on the day. A private boat party is one of those plans that look spectacular in the photos… if whoever organises it knows where the pitfalls are. This is the checklist we’d use ourselves, told by the people who take groups aboard every week.
The good news is that putting together a celebration on an exclusively booked classic sailing boat is simpler than it looks, because the crew handles almost all the logistics. Your only job is to choose the right format, get the group sorted and manage expectations. That’s what this step-by-step guide is about.
First, decide what kind of party you want (and for how many)
Before you look at dates, settle two things: what you’re celebrating and how many of you there are. An intimate plan for a dozen friends is not the same as a tightly packed family gathering, and here the boat sets the limit: aboard the Ocean Cruiser you sail exclusively with up to 12 people, without sharing the deck with strangers. That “exclusive” is the key to everything else: the boat is yours alone and you set the pace.
The format changes the tone, not the boat. If it’s a hen or stag do, the sea beats the same old bar hands down; if you’re marking a group birthday, the surprise is guaranteed; and if what you’re planning is a company event or team building, the change of scenery does half the work. They all fit the same plan: a wooden sailing boat with history, not a floating nightclub.
The checklist, week by week
Organising ahead is the difference between enjoying the day and spending it glued to your phone. This is the timeline that actually works.
Four weeks before: lock in the date
The first dates to sell out are the good dates, especially at weekends and in high season. Book as soon as you have a likely date: a private charter is best booked well in advance, and the sooner you lock in the date, the more options you’ll have to pick the time that suits you best. Decide the duration too: the trip starts from 2h 30m and extends in blocks, so think about how much time you really want (a heads-up for later: almost everyone falls short).
Two weeks before: settle the group and the money
Confirm who’s actually coming (not who said “I’m in” in the group chat), because the price of a whole boat is split between those who come aboard. Pass on the final number, collect the money up front and dodge the classic “I’ll give it to you later”. If you split the cost across the whole group, the per-person price of hiring the whole boat drops quickly as you fill the seats. Take the opportunity to ask about allergies, reduced mobility or who gets seasick: it’s better to know before casting off, not once aboard.
One week before: food, drinks and the details
The essentials are already on board: a soft drink or sangria per person and a complimentary bottle of cava for the toast. The rest is up to you. You can bring your own food (cold nibbles, the cake, whatever suits the occasion) or add extras to the booking, such as an extra bottle of cava (15,00 €) or an assortment of snacks (15,00 €). A tip from those who see it every week: you bring the decorations. Four balloons, a garland or a banner with the name transform the deck and weigh nothing in your bag.
The big day: boarding, pace and the best photo
Arrive at the meeting point with time to spare: the boat docks at Dársena de Levante, C. Levante, Atraque 298, Benalmádena. Tell the group to gather fifteen minutes before departure (there’s always a straggler) and remind them to wear soft-soled shoes and bring a warm layer for the way back, because at sea it cools down as the sun sets.
Once aboard, forget about running anything: the skipper sets the pace and you, at last, get to enjoy it. The typical plan combines sailing around the bay, background music, the toast and, if the sea cooperates, a swimming stop in calm waters. It’s not a race through a list of activities; it’s an unhurried, elegant plan where people talk, toast and take the group photo with Benalmádena in the background.
The mistakes that turn a good idea into a so-so review
Almost every disappointment comes from the same place: miscalibrated expectations. The most common mistake is coming aboard expecting a floating nightclub with speakers at full blast. This is something else: a classic wooden sailing boat where the music plays in the background and the charm comes from the boat, not a dance floor. Whoever boards demanding a wild party leaves disappointed; whoever comes aboard to celebrate exclusively, with a toast and a swim, leaves delighted. That’s why it pays to sell the plan to the group properly from the start.
The second mistake is running short on time. “The two hours fly by” is the most common complaint, and it has an easy fix: if you sense you’ll want longer, book more trip time from the outset instead of regretting it once aboard. And the third, underestimating the cost split: collect it up front and settle the real number of guests before booking, not after.
How much it costs and how to book
The price of a private party depends on the duration and on sailing exclusively, with rates from 510,00 € for the whole boat. The more people come aboard, the less it costs per head. Here are the rates and availability to pick your date:
Price table
From 2h 30mDepartures
Add-ons
- Bottle of Cava +15,00 € per unit · max. 10
- Assorted Snacks +15,00 € per unit · max. 10
- Soft Drink Included · 1 per person per full hour
Prices by duration
The more hours you sail, the less you pay per hour.
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From 2,5 to 3 h 204,00 € per hourthe 2,5 h minimum comes to 510,00 €
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3 h or more 192,00 € per houra 3 h trip comes to 576,00 € 12,00 € less per hour
All prices include VAT.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit on a private boat party?
Up to 12 people sailing exclusively. It’s a deliberately small group: that way everyone is comfortable on deck, without the packed-in feeling a shared trip can sometimes give.
Can you bring your own food and drink?
Yes. A soft drink or sangria per person and a bottle of cava for the toast are included aboard, and you can bring your own nibbles, the cake or a few more drinks. You can also add extras when booking, such as an additional bottle of cava or an assortment of snacks.
Is it a party with music and dancing, like a nightclub?
No. It’s an intimate, exclusive celebration on a classic sailing boat, with background music, a toast and a swim when the sea cooperates. If you’re after a floating nightclub, this isn’t your plan; if you’re after an elegant, charming experience, this is exactly it.
How far in advance should you book?
The sooner the better. Weekend and high-season dates sell out quickly, and a private charter needs to be booked well in advance. Lock in the date as soon as you have it and confirm the number of guests at least a couple of weeks ahead.
What if someone gets seasick?
Sailing around the bay is usually calm, but if someone is sensitive, a tablet half an hour before boarding sorts it out. Let the crew know who might need it: they’re used to it and happy to help.
With the date locked in, the group confirmed and expectations set right, the sea takes care of the rest. Take a look at the private boat party experience for dates and details, and if what you’re planning is a hen or stag do, don’t miss our ideas for a different hen party. Organising it yourself doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it: come aboard, toast with your people and let the rest take care of itself.