A few days in Benalmádena and wondering what to do to leave you with a memory (and a photo) that’s really worth it? Here’s a tip from someone who lives off the sea every day: the best plan is out on the water. The beach and the seafront promenade are lovely, but sailing out across the bay completely changes the way you see the Costa del Sol. In this guide we tell you what there is to do off the coast of Benalmádena, who each plan suits and when it’s best to go.
Puerto Marina, your base for heading out to sea
Almost everything you can do at sea in Benalmádena starts in the same place: Puerto Marina, that marina built around islands and canals that’s worth a stroll in its own right. It’s the point the daily departures set off from, and it’s easy to find, because the mast of a classic wooden sailboat rises up among the modern yachts, next to the harbour’s shops and restaurants.
That sailboat is our home: a boat with over forty years of history (it has sailed twice around the world) that heads out into the bay every day with a skipper and crew. If you want to pinpoint the exact boarding point, it’s at Dársena de Levante, C. Levante, Atraque 298, Benalmádena. You don’t need to be a sailor or bring much at all: the boat comes fully equipped and all you need to bring is your enthusiasm.
The best plans are out on the water
Sailing out isn’t a single plan, it’s several, and each one suits a different kind of day. These are the ones we most recommend to anyone who asks us at the harbour:
The one-hour trip around the bay. It’s the simplest and most affordable way to experience the sea: a short outing that hugs the coast of Benalmádena, with a toast on board included (cava, sangria or a soft drink) and, if the sea allows, a swim stop out in open water. It’s a shared trip, so you go with other people; worth knowing if you’re after privacy, but for a first taste of the sea as a couple or with kids it works wonderfully. You can see the details of the one-hour trip along the coast and bay of Benalmádena.
Heading out to look for dolphins. Dolphins live wild in the bay and, with luck, they come close to the boat. It’s worth saying plainly: they’re wild animals, there’s no guarantee of seeing them and this is not a dolphinarium: you don’t swim with them and there’s no show. What we do is switch off the engine and wait for them to approach without harassing them. If this plan appeals to you, we tell you where and at what time to see them responsibly in a separate guide, and you can check out the dolphin watching trip.
The sunset trip. As the sun sets, the bay turns pink and the photo takes itself. It’s the most romantic plan and the favourite of anyone celebrating an anniversary or a special occasion, with the same toast on board as every other trip. Just one warning: if it clouds over that evening, there’ll be no postcard view (the sky is in charge), so go with your expectations in check. It’s our recommendation to round off the day, and we’ll leave you the link at the end.
The route to Fuengirola. If you fancy sailing a little further and seeing the coast from the water, the private crossing skirts the shoreline to Fuengirola and back. It’s a longer, exclusive plan, ideal for a group or a family who want the boat to themselves and want to go at their own pace. You’ll find the details in the private trip up the coast to Fuengirola.
With kids or as a couple: how to get it right
With kids, the sea is a winner: looking for dolphins keeps them hooked and the swim in open water is pure fun when the water is right. Two crew tips so there are no surprises. First, out in open water there can be seasickness: if someone is prone to it, a tablet half an hour before boarding works wonders, and looking at the horizon helps more than looking at your phone. Second, soft-soled shoes and a layer to keep warm for the way back, since it cools down over the water. If you want the full list, we’ve put together a guide on what to bring on board.
As a couple, the sea sets the scene without you having to organise a thing: the sunset, the toast and the quiet once the engine is switched off do the rest. That said, if you’re coming with the idea of a very staged surprise (decoration, a photographer, a sign), bear in mind that that’s not included: you bring it. The boat provides the setting; the details are down to you.
When to go? The best time of day and season
There’s no single good time to head out: there’s a time for each plan. In the morning the sea tends to be calmer and the dolphins are more active; it’s the best slot if you’re going with kids or if seasickness worries you. Midday is for anyone after full sun and a swim, with the water at its best. And sunset is the time for photos and romance, with the only caveat that it depends on the sky that evening.
As for the season, the sailing season runs from spring to autumn, and the months with the most light and best temperatures are May to September. In summer it’s worth booking ahead, because the departures fill up; outside the high season there’s more room to choose your time and fewer people on board the shared trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a boat trip around Benalmádena last?
It depends on the plan. The shared trip around the bay is a short outing of around an hour, designed to experience the sea without taking up your whole day. The private routes, like the one to Fuengirola, and the sunset trips last longer and can be tailored to the group. If you have a specific time slot in mind, it’s best to ask us when you book.
Do I need to book in advance?
In summer and at weekends, yes: the daily departures fill up and turning up at the harbour without a place is risky. Outside the high season there’s usually more availability, and the odd booking even happens while strolling around Puerto Marina and spotting the sailboat’s mast. Even so, booking secures your place and the time you want.
What if I don’t speak Spanish?
Not a problem. The skipper and crew speak Spanish, English and French, so the safety briefing and the welcome throughout the trip will be in your language. It’s one of the things families who visit us every summer most appreciate.
Are dolphins guaranteed?
No. Dolphins are wild animals that live free in the bay and, although they’re often around, there’s never a guarantee. We sail responsibly (engine off and without chasing them), and that, besides being respectful, is usually just what makes them come close. Go with the hope, not the certainty.
In short: if you’re wondering what to do in Benalmádena by the sea, the most honest answer is to sail out across the bay, choose the plan that fits your day and let the classic sailboat take care of the rest. Our recommendation to finish? A sunset boat trip, with the sundown as a backdrop: it’s the plan people remember most. You’ll spot us from the harbour (the wooden mast among the yachts) and the sea does the rest.