Malaga Boat Tours

Being a coastal area, Malaga offers incredible alternatives for touring the coast. Here are some of the best ways to do it aboard a boat.

Andressa García

Andressa García

12 min read

Malaga Boat Tours

Malaga | ©Wolfgang Manousek

Malaga is one of the most visited and busiest cities in Andalusia in Spain, and it is also a coastal area, so it is common to see boats around the coast offering a maritime tour around the city.

Whether you want to see dolphins, watch the sunset from the sea or cruise around the coastal area on a catamaran, this is always a good option to include among the things to see and do in Malaga, whether you choose private or communal tours.

1. Private sailboat ride along the Costa del Sol

Sailing in Malaga| ©Lily
Sailing in Malaga| ©Lily

This is a tour that will take you all along the Costa del Sol on a fun and amazing private cruise for you and your group, where you will be able to see not only the city of Malaga, but also other cities that are located close to the coast.

You will be able to see from the sea some places like Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Benalmadena. Even, if you are lucky and the sea allows it, you can see dolphins swimming in the area. This is a tour that you will love to do with children, with your family or even with your partner.

It is one of those tours that you will never forget because of the many privileges that the sea offers you to admire. If you ask me about the timetable for this tour, I can tell you that this is an experience that you can arrange according to your tastes. But I assure you that at any time, this is one of the best tours in Malaga and its surroundings.

You can arrange the trip at sunrise, so you can experience the sunrise on board of a boat. You also have the opportunity to do the tour during the day to see dolphins or at dusk to watch the sun set over the horizon with the sea in the background.

Details of interest

  • Price: It can cost approximately 55 euros per person to do this tour.
  • Duration: It lasts approximately no more than two hours.
  • Means of transport: To get to the port you will have to travel on your own. Once at the port, the means of transport to use will be a boat with all the comforts.
  • Advantages of this option: All taxes and fees necessary to live the experience are included. It is a private experience, which means it is dedicated to you and your group.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Transport to and from the port is not included. The experience can be cancelled according to weather conditions and without prior notice. Not suitable for wheelchair users. Snacks are not included.

2. Dolphin Sightseeing Boat Tour of Gibraltar

Sightseeing Boat Tour| ©Chas
Sightseeing Boat Tour| ©Chas

One of the things I like most about this tour is how complete it is, because not only does it take you on a boat trip, but it also takes you around the area of Malaga by bus. The first thing you will do during the tour will be to visit the tourist attractions of Malaga and then go to the border with Gibraltar.

At this point I advise you to have your documents in hand so that it won't be too complicated to cross the border. Once in Gibraltar you will continue on the tourist bus of Malaga, touring the place until you finally get to the port where you will take the boat to go to the sighting of marine species.

Some of the species that you will most likely see during this tour are dolphins. You will also be able to see and learn about the life of the different cetaceans that live in the area. As the tour can last approximately one hour, you will have all the time you need to explore Gibraltar afterwards.

Details of interest

  • Price: From 47 euros per person.
  • Duration: This complete tour can last between 8 and 9 hours, approximately.
  • Means of transport: At first the experience will be on land and by bus, then you will board a boat and travel around the bay on board.
  • Advantages of this option: Transport is included for all the areas where the excursion will take place. A bilingual English and Spanish speaking tour guide is available. Also included is the 90 minute boat ride and some free time in Gibraltar to go out.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Drinks and food are not included on this type of tour. You cannot take suitcases or large bags with you. And as relevant information it is important to know that you cannot feed the animals.

3. Catamaran cruise around the bay

Catamaran cruise in Malaga| ©Tony Tomlin
Catamaran cruise in Malaga| ©Tony Tomlin

This is one of the most complete boat trips you can find in Malaga, and that's because it will take you around the whole area of the bay aboard an all-inclusive catamaran. Unlike other similar trips, the price of this trip also includes food and drinks on board.

This is an experience that you can do either on a shared or private basis. For the private experience you will need at least 8 people to travel with you on a private charter. Part of the activities offered by this catamaran cruise is the kayak trip for you and all the people who go with you.

You can also snorkel with the company of a guide who will teach you everything you need to know to live this experience. If there's one thing you can't miss while you're on board, it's watching the marine fauna, if the sea allows you to do so. In addition to this, you will be able to see enchanting landscapes in places such as the bay of La Herradura or the Punta de la Mona promontory.

Interesting details

  • Price: You can live this experience for a price starting at 112 euros per person.
  • Duration: The whole experience lasts approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: To get to the port and board you will have to travel on your own. Once you get to the port, you will board the catamaran and the whole experience is completed on board.
  • Advantages of this option: A full meal is included, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. All the drinks you want to have on board and snacks during the trip are also included. Kayaking and snorkelling equipment is included, as well as the accompaniment of an expert guide. You can do the private experience with a group of no less than eight people.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Transport from your hotel to the port is not included. The weather must be good for the tour to take place, otherwise it may be cancelled without prior notice. There must be a minimum number of passengers on board, otherwise the trip will be cancelled.

Book your catamaran cruise in the bay

4. Sunset catamaran tour with wine tasting

Sunset in Malaga| ©Jonathan Pincas
Sunset in Malaga| ©Jonathan Pincas

If there is one thing that sets Spain apart from other countries, it is its unquestionable quality wines, which is why on this catamaran cruise you are going to enjoy more than you can imagine. During the catamaran trip you will have the chance to taste exquisite sweet wines of the typical Spanish production.

You will also be accompanied by an expert guide who will not only tell you details about the dynamism of the Malaga coast, but also tell you everything you need to know about the wines produced in Spain.

During the sunset tour you will be able to watch the sun go down over the mountains on the Costa del Sol. A real spectacle if you are a lover of nature and beautiful views.

This is a walk that will not only bring you peace and calm, but will leave you with amazing postcards to remember, so it is one of the activities I would include in the list of things to do in Malaga at night.

Details of interest

  • Price: This tour costs approximately 12 euros per person.
  • Duration: It lasts at least an hour and a half from sunset until late at night, when the sun goes down.
  • Means of transport: To get to the port you will have to travel on your own, but once you arrive you will finish the trip by catamaran, ending the trip in the same place where you started.
  • Advantages of this option: The glass of wine, the catamaran ride with the guide and the boat crew are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Meals and other drinks are not included, and you are not allowed to bring any of these on board, although you do have the opportunity to buy them on board. Transport service from your accommodation to the port and back is not included.

5. Boat trip and dinner in Malaga harbour

Malaga Harbour| ©Antonio
Malaga Harbour| ©Antonio

This programme is ideal if you want to spend a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is a trip that starts in the port of Malaga, where you will board a catamaran that will take you all along the coastline to get to know each of the most interesting places around the coast.

On board of this catamaran you will live incredible experiences, you will have the opportunity to have some alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, all depending on your tastes, you will enjoy the beautiful views and you will be able to take all the pictures you want.

Once the catamaran ride is over, the programme invites you to stop by the pier to have some lunch or dinner, depending on the plan and time you have chosen. Lunch is of course included in the package price.

Interesting details

  • Price: It is priced at approximately 82 euros per person.
  • Duration: This plan is estimated to last around 2 hours approximately.
  • Means of transport: You will have to get to the pier by your own means, but after boarding the boat, the rest of the experience takes place on board the catamaran.
  • Advantages of this option: Dinner or lunch is included depending on your choice. The boat crew is also included. Lunch before and after the trip is also included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Transport from your hotel to the port and back is not included. Also not included is the tour guide on board.

6. Kayak route of the Nerja and Maro Cliffs

Kayaking in Malaga| ©María Lucía Rojas Morillo
Kayaking in Malaga| ©María Lucía Rojas Morillo

During this kayak route you will have the privilege of getting to know the impressive cliffs of Nerja and Maro from Malaga. You will also get to know other nearby places that will captivate you with their imposing beauty, some of them are: Cascada Doncella, Caleta de Maro beach, Maro Cliffs and many other places that stand out for their beautiful scenery.

If you want to have an extreme adventure experience to live with friends or with your family, this is an activity that you can not miss on your visit to Malaga. It is important to know that, although this is one of the top 10 activities to do in Malaga, it can be cancelled due to the weather, and in that case, you get your money back and the adventure is cancelled.

Interesting details

  • Price: Approximately 30 euros per person.
  • Duration: The whole trip takes about two and a half hours.
  • Means of transport: To get to the port to start the kayak trip you have to get around on your own using public transport or a rental car. Once you get into the kayak, the rest of the activity is done in this means of transport.
  • Advantages of this option: All the necessary equipment for kayaking is included and the GoPro video and photo service is also included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Transport to and from your accommodation is not included. Bottled water and refreshments during the trip are not included.

7. Paddle Surf tour of the cliffs of Nerja and Maro with snorkelling

Snorkelling| ©chripell
Snorkelling| ©chripell

Continuing with the water activities around the cliffs of Nerja and Maro, another of the experiences that I recommend you to do is this paddle surfing route in this place. It is a guided tour that includes all the necessary equipment to practice this sport, as well as the accompaniment of an expert.

For two and a half hours you will be able to do a complete tour of the cliffs, seeing not only the beautiful scenery around, but also some of the marine fauna if the ocean allows it.

Interesting details

  • Price: The price usually ranges between 20 and 24 euros per person, depending on the season in which the activity takes place.
  • Duration: It can last around two and a half hours depending on the sea conditions and the number of people taking part in this adventure.
  • Means of transport: To get to the place where the paddle surfing equipment will leave, you will have to travel on your own. Once at the place, the rest of the activity will be done on board the paddle surf board.
  • Advantages of this option: The paddle equipment is included as well as a tour guide who will teach you everything you need to know about this experience. You will have a support boat in case there are any problems during the paddle. You will have a free photography service.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Refreshments are not included, nor is transport to and from your accommodation.

Duration of the boat trips in Malaga

Malaga Boat Trips| ©David Denny
Malaga Boat Trips| ©David Denny

Depending on the type of experience you book, the trip may be a little shorter or longer. There are boat trips that usually last half a day, while other experiences are full day. You'll also get rides that offer between two and three hours of cruising on the Costa del Sol.

In all cases the duration will depend on the amount of activities you are going to do during the trip, and also on the time of day you do the excursion. If you go on an afternoon or evening tour, then it will usually last no more than three hours, which is the time it takes for the sun to go down.

If you go on a morning tour, it usually lasts about four to five hours, which means you can finish by midday with a good lunch in the city's harbour. This is a good plan to choose, especially if you are travelling on a weekend.

What will I see on this type of excursion?

Dolphins| ©Collecionista de instantes
Dolphins| ©Collecionista de instantes

Depending on the type of tour you book, you may see one thing or another. Generally you will be able to see dolphins swimming in the area, as well as having the possibility to see the city from other points of view.

In case you take the evening or night type of tour, you will have the possibility to see the sunset and how the sunset is imminent in the city of Malaga. Without a doubt this is a type of tour that will leave you with many postcards to remember, regardless of the time of day you take the excursion.

You should also know that inside the boat the experience can change considerably depending on the type of experience you hire. If you go for a private tour, you will probably be able to enjoy exquisite wine tastings as well as wine and spirits tasting.

Some of the best excursions from Malaga allow you to do some water sports such as snorkelling and even parasailing. Every boat trip is different and offers you a range of experiences to live.

Why is it advisable to take a boat trip along the coast of Malaga?

Day Trip| ©Daniel Sancho
Day Trip| ©Daniel Sancho

Without a doubt it is advisable to go on a day trip along the Costa del Sol to get to know all that the coast has to offer. I recommend this type of excursion because together with an expert guide you will get to know incredible details of tourism in the area, but you will also have fun at all times.

You have to experience a boat trip at least once in your life, but before you do it, it is important to be sure that you are not afraid of boats. I recommend you to see Malaga from the sea because it gives you a perspective from afar of everything the city has to show you.

Also, doing this tour is a good experience to include among the things to see and do in Malaga with children because they always like to see the sea and the skyline of the city from another point of view. It's definitely a tour you can't miss if you're visiting the city of museums.