The coast,
at your pace.
Day charters from Puerto Banús, evenings anchored off Marbella, longer itineraries towards Ibiza and Formentera.
Yacht charters coordinated by Cavalma range from a single day on the water to a multi-day cruise along the coast, arranged by the same Marbella-based private office that handles a client's villa, transfers and reservations. A day charter typically runs from late morning to early evening with the yacht returning to berth the same day, while a multi-day charter carries guests between anchorages and marinas over several days, with cabins and crew arrangements built into a fuller itinerary.
Puerto Banus is the most common departure point for charters along the Costa del Sol, with its marina positioned close to Marbella, Nueva Andalucia and the Golden Mile. Berths are also arranged in Marbella itself, in Estepona and, for clients based further along the coast, in Sotogrande, with the choice of departure marina set by the client's accommodation and the planned route.
Motor yachts available through the office range from smaller day boats suited to a party of six to eight guests, through mid-size vessels for larger groups, to larger motor yachts with multiple cabins for overnight charters. The category is matched to the number of guests, the length of the charter and whether guests intend to swim, dine on board or simply cruise the coastline.
Every charter is crewed, with a licensed skipper responsible for the safe operation of the vessel and, on larger yachts, additional crew handling service, catering and tenders. Crew numbers and roles are confirmed against the yacht and the length of the charter before booking, and clients are not expected to hold any qualification themselves to charter a crewed vessel.
Provisioning is arranged before the guests board, covering drinks, food and any specific dietary requirements notified in advance. On longer charters a chef may be arranged to prepare meals on board, and the office confirms preferences for lunch, dinner and refreshments during the planning stage rather than on the day.
Itineraries along the Costa del Sol typically include anchorages off Marbella, Puerto Banus and Estepona, with longer routes extending towards Gibraltar and Sotogrande depending on the yacht's range and the time available. The route is agreed with the skipper in advance and remains subject to sea conditions on the day.
Lead times depend on the yacht and the season. A standard day charter can sometimes be confirmed within a few days when suitable vessels are available, while a specific yacht, a peak summer date or a multi-day itinerary is more reliably secured with one to two weeks of notice.
Weather governs the final shape of every charter, since the skipper is responsible for assessing sea conditions before departure and during the day. Where conditions do not allow the planned route, the skipper proposes an alternative anchorage or, in more limited cases, reschedules the charter, and the office keeps the client informed of any change as early as possible.
Safety and licensing sit with the skipper and the charter operator rather than with the private office. Vessels chartered through Cavalma are operated under the applicable Spanish maritime licensing for commercial charter, and the skipper is responsible for safety briefings, life-jacket provision and compliance with capacity limits for the vessel.
Guest numbers are confirmed against the yacht's licensed capacity before booking, since this figure is set by the vessel's registration rather than by preference. Where a party exceeds the capacity of a single yacht, the office proposes a larger vessel or, where appropriate, more than one boat for the same day.
Transfers to and from the marina are coordinated by the same office that arranges the charter, with the chauffeur timed to the boarding time agreed with the skipper rather than a fixed hour. Concierge arrangements such as provisioning, flowers or an onward dinner reservation are handled through the same point of contact, so a change to the charter's timing is reflected across every other booking for the day.
Discretion is maintained through the same standard applied across the private office: crew do not discuss guests, itineraries or destinations, and berth and boarding arrangements are shared only with those directly involved in the charter. This matters particularly in Puerto Banus, where marina activity is highly visible and a quiet boarding is often the client's preference.
Yacht charters through Cavalma suit clients already using the private office for a villa, transfers or concierge during a stay on the Costa del Sol, since the charter is reconciled against everything else arranged for the same visit. The service is used by families wanting a day on the water, groups celebrating an occasion, and clients who want to see the coastline between Marbella, Gibraltar and Sotogrande from the sea rather than the road.
Frequently asked
Where do charters depart from?
Puerto Banús is the primary base, with Marbella, Estepona, Sotogrande and, further afield, Málaga and Gibraltar all available depending on the yacht and the itinerary.
Can a day charter be arranged from Puerto Banús?
Yes. Half-day, full-day and sunset charters from Puerto Banús are the most requested formats, with anchorage stops off Marbella, Estepona and, weather permitting, further along the coast.
What size of yacht is available?
From 20-metre day boats to 60-metre-plus motor and sailing yachts, matched to the size of the group and the itinerary. We keep the portfolio deliberately small and know each boat and captain personally.
Can food, drink and transfers be included?
Yes. Provisioning, on-board chefs, drinks lists, transfers between villa and marina, and any onward arrangements are handled by the same office.
Can we cruise to Ibiza or Formentera?
Yes. Multi-day itineraries towards the Balearics, Tangier or the western Mediterranean are prepared with the captain and offered when the yacht and weather window are right.
What is the difference between a day charter and a multi-day charter?
A day charter typically runs from late morning to early evening with the yacht returning to its berth the same day. A multi-day charter carries guests between anchorages and marinas over several days, with cabins, crew arrangements and provisioning built into a fuller itinerary agreed in advance with the skipper.
Do I need a licence to charter a yacht in Marbella?
No. Every charter arranged through Cavalma is crewed, with a licensed skipper responsible for the safe operation of the vessel, so no qualification is required of the client. On larger yachts, additional crew handle service, catering and tenders.
Who is responsible for safety on board?
Safety and licensing sit with the skipper and the charter operator rather than with the private office. Vessels chartered through Cavalma operate under the applicable Spanish maritime licensing for commercial charter, and the skipper is responsible for the safety briefing, life-jacket provision and compliance with the vessel's capacity limits.
How many guests can come on board?
Guest numbers are confirmed against the yacht's licensed capacity before booking, since that figure is set by the vessel's registration rather than by preference. Where a party exceeds the capacity of a single yacht, Cavalma proposes a larger vessel or, where appropriate, more than one boat for the same day.
Which marina should we depart from?
Puerto Banús is the most common departure point, positioned close to Marbella, Nueva Andalucía and the Golden Mile. Berths are also arranged in Marbella itself, in Estepona and, for clients based further west, in Sotogrande. The departure marina is chosen against the client's accommodation and the planned route.
How far in advance should a charter be booked?
A standard day charter can sometimes be confirmed within a few days when suitable vessels are available. A specific yacht, a peak summer date or a multi-day itinerary is more reliably secured with one to two weeks of notice, particularly in July and August.
How is food and drink handled on board?
Provisioning is arranged before guests board, covering drinks, food and any dietary requirements notified in advance. On longer charters a chef can be arranged to prepare meals on board, and preferences for lunch, dinner and refreshments are confirmed during planning rather than on the day.
What does a typical Costa del Sol itinerary look like?
Routes usually include anchorages off Marbella, Puerto Banús and Estepona, with longer itineraries extending towards Gibraltar and Sotogrande depending on the yacht's range and the time available. The route is agreed with the skipper in advance and remains subject to sea conditions on the day.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The skipper assesses sea conditions before departure and during the day, and their judgement governs the final shape of the charter. Where conditions do not allow the planned route, an alternative anchorage is proposed or, in more limited cases, the charter is rescheduled, and Cavalma informs the client as early as possible.
Can a charter be rescheduled?
Rescheduling depends on the operator's terms and on availability, and it is most commonly agreed where sea conditions make the planned day unsafe or unpleasant. Cavalma sets out the applicable conditions in writing at the time of booking so the position is understood before any commitment is made.
Are transfers to the marina arranged as well?
Yes. The chauffeur is timed to the boarding time agreed with the skipper rather than to a fixed hour, and because the same office arranges both, a change to the charter's timing is reflected in the car, the return journey and any onward reservation for the day.
How is privacy handled at a busy marina?
Berth and boarding arrangements are shared only with those directly involved in the charter, and crew do not discuss guests, itineraries or destinations. This matters particularly at Puerto Banús, where marina activity is highly visible and a quiet boarding is usually the client's preference.
Can children and families be accommodated?
Yes. Family charters are common along this coast, and requirements such as swimming stops, shaded areas, children's catering and the pace of the day are agreed with the skipper in advance. Life-jacket provision for children is confirmed against the vessel before boarding.
Can a yacht be chartered for a celebration or private event?
Yes. Birthdays, anniversaries and private gatherings are arranged regularly, with catering, timing and the guest list confirmed against the yacht's licensed capacity. Where the party is larger than one vessel allows, Cavalma proposes a larger yacht or a second boat for the same day.
Who typically charters through Cavalma?
Yacht charters through Cavalma suit clients already using the private office for a villa, transfers or concierge during a stay on the Costa del Sol, since the charter is reconciled against everything else arranged for the same visit. Families wanting a day on the water, groups marking an occasion and clients who prefer to see the coast between Marbella, Gibraltar and Sotogrande from the sea are the most frequent.