Boating and yachting on the Costa del Sol

Many people look at buying real estate on the Costa del Sol for its unrivalled yachting offering. With a stretch an almost 200km long coastline, and fantastic sailing conditions almost all year round, the Costa del Sol has carved itself as a nautical dream. With a rich sailing legacy, the Costa del Sol has a wide array of nautical clubs, sailing schools, tournaments, and regattas available 365 days of the year. It is the perfect setting whether you are you are a student, a relaxed cruiser, or an experienced racer. A steady current of runs through the Strait of Gibraltar between the Costa del Sol and the coast of Northern Africa and is a glorious backdrop for a sailing excursion. Sailing here is not completely without its challenges though, and less experienced sailors should be aware of the Tramontana, a strong a wind that blows from the northwest on the Costa del Sol. Indeed, the wind is so infamous there is a mythos around it, with a Spanish phrase - tocat per la tramuntana – touched by the Tramotana, used to described when a person behaves strangely when they have encountered it. Even famous Spanish artists Salvador Dalí was referred to as someone tocat per la tramuntana for his unconventional but striking artworks.

Malaga
Sailing in Malaga, known as the City of Flowers, is a fascinating and attractive sailing destination and is accessible by foot from two harbours. The Puerto de Malaga is the main commercial and fishing port on the Costa del Sol and is one of the jewels in the crown on the Costa del Sol for sailing. Due to its popularity, the area is much harder to infiltrate without a membership, so those looking to take advantage of the port should plan their visit long in advance if they wish to make the most of the facilities. Aside from the commercial port, there’s the Real Club Mediterraneo de Malaga. Since its inception in 1873, the club has been dedicated to promoting the art of sailing first in the realms of rowing and sailing and later fishing. These days it has expanded even further into futsal, tennis, padel tennis and even racquetball. There are a few anchorages near Malaga, by Playa de Malagueta, El Bulto, and Playa de Huelin and all have sandy bottoms and access to the bars and restaurants by the beach. El Bulto and Playa de Huelin even have docks for dinghies and access to water. But they’re less comfortable for sleeping aboard than the marinas which should be kept in mind when you’re sailing Costa del Sol. All this means that buying property in the Costa del Sol gives you the perfect opportunity to advance your sailing skills and become more acquainted with the glorious seaside throughout the province.

Torremolinos
The Punta de Torremolinos anchorage on Costa del Sol offers a more laid back mooring and sailing experience with great shelter from the westerly afternoon breeze. The immense space occupied by the Punta or Morro is a natural frontier between two of the city most famous beaches: La Carihuela and El Bajondillo, which are today conjoined thanks to the extension of the promenade. It is an idyllic setting and a less intimidating experience than going to some of the more professionalised sailing clubs nearby as well as being the perfect spot for a relaxed family trip.

Puerto Deportivo de Benalmadena
Standing at almost 150,000 square metres, the Puerto de Benalmadena is  vast and the perfect place to set sail from. There are around 200 business establishments, including stores, nightclubs, restaurants, and pubs in the near vicinity and a sea life centre is nearby. Sailors should avoid staying here in western gale winds and not stop on the southeast quay during south-western winds, as they can be particularly choppy. But even if you are not a sailor, a trip down to this port provides panoramic vistas to be marvelled at.

Club Nautico Benalmadena
A huge and much more affordable Costa del Sol marina, the Club Nautico Benalmadena has canals with a pier open to the public, with a wide array of restaurants, bars, and shops. It can get a bit noisy, so try asking for mooring outside the canals if you want a more tranquil experience.

Torrequebrada
Despite a good holding in the sand bottom, it’s not recommended to anchor at Torrequebrada when sailing Costa del Sol, but it does make for a beautiful pass through. Puerto de Fuengirola is a small and welcoming Costa del Sol marina that provides excellent shelter and is nestled between two pristine beaches on either side of the marina.

Club Nautico Fuengirola
The Club Náutico Fuengirola was founded on October 28, 1978. That day, at a meeting of friends held specifically at the Stella Maris hotel, they agreed to join forces to create a Club Náutico. The first meeting was chaired by D. Guillermo Rodríguez Alonso and the creation of the founding act was subsequently carried out, beginning with this formal procedure the birth of the current Club Náutico Fuengirola. Since then, the club has carved itself out as the gold standard of sailing clubs on the Costa del Sol and is not to be missed if you are an experienced sailor. Sailing on the Costa del Sol has a rich heritage, and one that stretches right up to the elite level of nautical skill. Aside from the act of sailing itself, the area is imbued with a people with a deep-felt appreciation for the sea which is passed down from old generations to the young. It is a celebratory culture that you too can be part of if you are to invest in some of the fantastic property on sale here.

Cabopino marina
Cabopino is a masterful development on the hill overlooking the marina. It is small and tasteful construction with a communal plaza and a couple of bars. On the marina side there are a number of restaurants and bars and a handful of shops selling locally crafted goods and antiques. The marina itself is set into a natural cleft on the coast and shelters a fleet of motor and sailing yachts while there are glorious sandy beaches to the east and west of the marina entrance.

Marbella marina
Marbella Marina (Puerto Deportivo de Marbella) is a gateway to superb culinary experiences and water-based adventures in the Costa del Sol. Make the most of uninterrupted coastal views from the terrace of the many bars and restaurants or even charter a boat for a scenic Mediterranean cruise and try your hand at water sports. Great walks can be had along the marina’s piers while you admire the many weird and wonderful boats on display, which range from luxury catamarans to simple fishing boats. Tour operators at the marina offer the chance to try fly boarding, parasailing and water sledding and you can also join fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling trips. Alternatively, rent a boat or Jet Ski and explore the coastline at your own pace. Beaches on either side of the marina provide non-stop relaxation beneath Marbella’s year-round sunshine. Palapas (thatched umbrellas) and sun loungers are available for rent, perfect for refreshing the mind, body and soul and a good day to get the kids active and out of the house.

Puerto Banus
Perhaps the most famous port on the Costa del Sol, Puerto Banus is world renowned as an idyllic and swanky port acting as the playground for the rich and famous in Spain. But don’t be put off if you are not someone seeking the high life. It is a surprisingly welcoming area where people from all walks of life rub shoulders and there are plenty of bars which don’t break the bank. That being said, if you are someone who likes to dress up and frequent fancy places, you find places to cater for you in abundance here. If you come for the boating experience, you can find anything you want here from kids trips on catamarans to the finest sailboats in Europe offering a glimpse of a billionaire lifestyle. The Costa del Sol therefore accommodates for all your nautical needs and adds more compelling reasons of why you should consider buying property here.