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Yacht Rental Puerto Banus for Hen Do, Party Afloat
Costa del Sol, Spain

Yacht Rental Puerto Banus for Hen Do, Party Afloat

You want a hen do that doesn't involve a sweaty club in some rainy city. You want sun, sea, and a boat that turns heads. A yacht rental in Puerto Banus for a hen do gives you exactly that: a floating party with a licensed skipper, a cooler full of cava, and the Costa del Sol as your backdrop. No driving, no queuing for bars, just you, your crew, and the Mediterranean.

BoatHire24 connects you with local charter companies across Marbella and the Costa del Sol. We don't own the boats, but we know which ones work for a hen party. This page tells you what to expect, how much it costs, and how to book without the faff. Skip the search results and get straight to the good stuff.

What’s Included in a Hen Do Boat Charter

Every charter through BoatHire24 comes with a licensed skipper. That means you don’t need a boating licence, and someone else handles the mooring, the navigation, and the awkward reversing into a berth. You just bring the party. Most charters include basic safety equipment, fuel for a standard itinerary, and a welcome briefing. Some include a cooler with ice, a Bluetooth speaker, and basic tableware. You can usually add extras like a hostess, a photographer, or a DJ. Check the listing details before you book.

The standard duration is four hours, but you can go for six or eight if you want to hit a second cove or stop for lunch at a beach club. The skipper will suggest a route based on the weather and your vibe. You might cruise past the golden sands of Puerto Banus, drop anchor off Cabopino, or head towards the cliffs of Cala del Faro. The boat is yours for the time you pay for.

Puerto Banus, The Starting Point

Puerto Banus is the obvious departure port for a hen do. It’s flashy, it’s loud, and it’s full of superyachts, sports cars, and people who look like they’ve just stepped off a reality show. The marina itself has a string of restaurants, shops, and bars that stay open late. You can start your charter from the main dock, wave at the Lamborghinis on the promenade, and be out on open water within ten minutes.

The port sits right next to the Rio Verde, a short walk from the beach. If you’re staying in Marbella or Nueva Andalucia, it’s a quick taxi ride. Parking is expensive and scarce, so get dropped off or take a transfer. Once you’re on the boat, you don’t need to think about traffic again until you dock.

Other departure ports on the Costa del Sol include Marbella Marina (Puerto Deportivo), Cabopino, Estepona, Sotogrande, and Benalmadena. Each has its own character. Marbella Marina is quieter and more local. Cabopino has a small, sandy beach and a dune system. Estepona has a pretty old town and a longer coastline. Sotogrande is posh and spread out. Benalmadena is lively and close to Torremolinos. For a hen do, Puerto Banus is the most central and the most fun.

Boat Types for a Hen Party

Not all boats are equal a hen do. You want space, a sun deck, and a decent sound system. Here are the options you’ll find on BoatHire24.

Motor yachts are the most popular choice. They’re fast, stable, and have plenty of deck space. A 40-foot motor yacht sleeps about 12 guests for a day charter. You get a bow sun pad, a shaded cockpit, and a cabin for changing or storing bags. Expect to pay from around EUR 1,200 for four hours in the summer.

Catamarans are wider and more stable. They have a huge foredeck, a trampoline net at the front, and often a flybridge. They’re ideal if anyone in your group gets seasick. A 40-foot cat can take up to 12 guests. Prices start around EUR 1,500 for a half-day.

Sailing yachts are slower and quieter. They’re good if you want a more relaxed vibe, but they have less deck space and you might have to help with the sails. Not ideal for a big party. A 50-foot sailing yacht costs from EUR 1,000 for four hours.

RIBs and speedboats are small and fast. They’re fun for a quick blast, but they don’t have a toilet, a cabin, or much shade. Max four to six guests. Prices from EUR 500 for two hours.

Licence-free day boats are small motorboats you can drive without a licence. They’re cheap, but they don’t come with a skipper, so you’re on your own. For a hen do, you’re better off with a skipper who knows the coast.

Superyachts start at around EUR 5,000 for a half-day and go up to EUR 50,000 or more. They come with a crew, a chef, and everything else. If you have the budget, go for it. Otherwise, stick with a motor yacht or cat.

Pricing Guidance for Hen Do Charters

Prices vary by boat, season, duration, and extras. Here’s a rough guide for a half-day (four hours) in peak summer (June to September) from Puerto Banus.

Motor yacht (40-50 ft): EUR 1,200 to EUR 2,500. Catamaran (40-50 ft): EUR 1,500 to EUR 3,000. Sailing yacht (50 ft): EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,000. RIB/speedboat: EUR 500 to EUR 1,000. Superyacht (80+ ft): from EUR 5,000.

Extras add up. A hostess costs around EUR 200 for the day. A photographer is EUR 300 to EUR 500. Food catering starts at EUR 30 per person for a platter. Drinks are usually bring your own or pay a corkage fee. Some charters include a cooler and ice. Check the listing for what’s included.

Off-peak months (April, May, October) are cheaper by 20-30%. November to March is low season, but you can still charter if the weather holds. Book early for June to September, because boats get snapped up by hen parties, corporate groups, and tourists.

Best Times of Year for a Hen Do on the Water

The Costa del Sol has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time for a hen do on a boat is May to October. In May and June, the water is around 18-20 degrees C, the air is 25-28 degrees C, and the crowds are smaller. July and August are peak season: air temperatures hit 32-35 degrees C, water is 22-25 degrees C, and the coast is busy. September and October are still warm, with fewer tourists and lower prices.

April and November are gamble months. You might get a sunny day, but you might also get wind and rain. If you’re flexible, you can find a bargain. December to March is cold for swimming, but you can still cruise and have lunch on board.

If you want to swim, anchor in a cove, or sunbathe on the deck, aim for June to September. If you just want to cruise, drink, and take photos, the shoulder months work fine.

How to Book a Hen Do Yacht Rental in Puerto Banus

Booking through BoatHire24 is straightforward. Go to the search page, enter Puerto Banus as the departure port, your date, and the number of guests. Filter by boat type and price range. You’ll see listings from local charter companies. Each listing shows the boat, the price, the skipper, and what’s included. Click through to see photos, reviews, and availability.

Once you find a boat you like, send an enquiry through the platform. The charter company will confirm availability and send a quote. You pay a deposit (usually 30-50%) to secure the booking, and the balance on the day. Read the cancellation policy before you pay. Most companies offer a full refund if you cancel 14 days ahead, but check the terms.

If you’re not sure what you need, BoatHire24 has a blog with guides on boat types, packing lists, and local tips. You can also call or email us, and we’ll point you to the right boats. We don’t take a commission from you; the charter companies pay us a listing fee. So the price you see is the price they charge.

Who Is This For

A yacht rental for a hen do in Puerto Banus works for groups of 6 to 12 people. It’s not ideal for a big party of 20 or more, because most boats have a max capacity of 12 guests. If you have a larger group, you can book two boats and cruise together. The skipper will coordinate the route so you can raft up and mingle.

It’s also good for a quieter hen do, where the focus is on relaxing, swimming, and eating. You don’t have to drink or dance. You can just lie on the sun pad and watch the coast go by. The skipper will adjust the pace to what you want.

If you’re the organiser, you’ll need to collect the deposit from the group, sort out the guest list, and communicate with the charter company. Most companies require a final guest count 48 hours before departure. Make sure everyone knows the meeting point and the time. Late arrivals hold up the whole charter.

For more ideas on what to do on the Costa del Sol, check the BoatHire24 blog. We cover everything from dolphin watching off Estepona to visiting the Nerja caves. The blog also has a packing list for a day on the water, which includes sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, and a change of clothes. Don’t forget the suncream, because the reflection off the water burns faster than you think.

What to Bring on a Hen Do Boat Party

You need to pack smart for a day on the water. Bring sunscreen with at least SPF 50, because the sun reflects off the sea and burns you twice as fast. A hat and sunglasses are non-negotiable. Take a towel, a change of dry clothes, and a light jacket or hoodie for the evening breeze. If you plan to swim, bring a swimsuit and a waterproof phone case. Most boats have a small cabin where you can change, but space is tight.

For music, check if the boat has a Bluetooth speaker. If not, bring your own portable one. Make a playlist beforehand, because signal can be patchy on the water. For drinks, most charters let you bring your own alcohol. Take cans or plastic bottles, not glass, because glass breaks and the skipper will tell you off. A cooler with ice is often included, but confirm it before you arrive. Snacks are a good idea, but avoid anything that melts or crumbles easily. Think grapes, crisps, and sandwiches.

If you’re prone to seasickness, take a pill an hour before you board. The Costa del Sol is generally calm in summer, but the swell can pick up in the afternoon. Ginger biscuits and fresh air help. Don’t drink on an empty stomach, and pace yourself. The combination of sun, movement, and alcohol hits harder than you expect.

Best Itineraries for a Hen Do from Puerto Banus

A typical four-hour charter from Puerto Banus heads west towards Cabopino or east towards Marbella. The skipper will decide based on the wind and swell. One popular route goes west to Cabopino, where you can anchor off the sand dunes and swim in clear, shallow water. Cabopino has a small beach bar called Chiringuito Cabopino, but you can’t dock there, so you swim ashore or use the boat’s tender.

Another route goes east to Cala del Faro, a rocky cove near Marbella. It’s quieter than Cabopino and has good snorkelling. You can also stop at the Marbella Marina for a photo with the yachts. If you have six hours, you can push further east to the cliffs of Elviria or even to the mouth of the Rio Verde. For a full-day charter (eight hours), you might go all the way to Estepona, anchor off the old town, and have lunch at a beach club like El Ancla or Bahia de Estepona.

If your group wants to see dolphins, ask the skipper to head towards the Strait of Gibraltar. The trip takes about an hour from Puerto Banus, and you’re likely to see common dolphins, striped dolphins, and sometimes pilot whales. The best time is early morning. This works well for a longer charter of six to eight hours, because you need time to get there, watch them, and come back.

How to Split Costs and Organise the Group

Hen do budgets vary wildly. A typical split for a group of 10 on a motor yacht at EUR 1,800 is EUR 180 per person. If you add a hostess (EUR 200), food (EUR 30 per person), and drinks (say EUR 20 per person), the total per person comes to around EUR 250. That’s cheaper than a night out in Puerto Banus, and you get a private boat for the day.

To collect money, use a group payment app like Splitwise or Revolut. Ask everyone to pay a non-refundable deposit upfront to cover the booking deposit. Most charter companies want 30-50% to secure the date. The balance is due on the day, so collect that a week before. Have a backup plan if someone drops out. A spare guest or a small increase for the rest of the group is easier than cancelling.

Make sure everyone knows the meeting point. The main dock at Puerto Banus is easy to find, but specify the pontoon number. Arrive 15 minutes early. The skipper will do a safety briefing and a quick tour of the boat. Late arrivals mean less time on the water, and the skipper won’t wait.

What Not to Do on a Hen Do Boat Charter

Don’t bring glass bottles. They break, they cut feet, and they’re a hazard on deck. Use plastic cups or cans. Don’t play music so loud that the skipper can’t hear the radio or other boats. The skipper has the final say on volume. Don’t jump off the boat without checking with the skipper first. They need to know where you are at all times, especially in open water.

Don’t expect to dock at a beach club. Most beach clubs have small jetties for tenders, not for charter boats. You anchor offshore and swim in, or the skipper drops you off in the tender. Don’t assume the boat has a toilet that works while underway. Some marine heads are finicky. Use the marina facilities before you leave. Don’t leave rubbish on the boat. Take everything back to shore. The charter company will charge you a cleaning fee if you leave a mess.

Don’t be late back to the dock. The skipper has a schedule, and the next charter might be waiting. If you’re late, you might lose your deposit or pay an overtime fee. Respect the skipper’s time and the boat. They work hard to keep it clean and safe.

Alternatives to Puerto Banus for a Hen Do

If Puerto Banus is too flashy or too expensive, consider Marbella Marina. It’s a ten-minute taxi ride from Puerto Banus, and the boats are similar. The marina itself is quieter, with a few restaurants and a supermarket. You can still cruise the same coastline. Cabopino is another option. It’s smaller and more laid back, with a sandy beach and a beach bar. The boats are smaller too, so max capacity is usually eight guests.

Estepona is a good choice if you want a longer cruise. The old town is pretty, with whitewashed buildings and flower pots. The marina has a range of boats, from small RIBs to 50-foot motor yachts. Sotogrande is for the luxury crowd. It’s quieter, more exclusive, and further from the main party scene. Benalmadena is lively and close to Torremolinos, but the boats are often older and cheaper. For a hen do, Puerto Banus is still the best starting point, but these alternatives work if you want something different.

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Frequently asked questions

How many people can go on a hen do yacht rental in Puerto Banus?

Most motor yachts and catamarans take up to 12 guests for a day charter. Some smaller boats take 6 to 8. If your group is larger, you can book two boats and cruise together. The skipper will coordinate the route.

Do we need a boating licence?

No. Every charter through BoatHire24 includes a licensed skipper. They handle the boat, navigation, and safety. You just enjoy the ride.

Can we bring our own food and drink?

Yes, most charters allow you to bring your own. Some include a cooler and ice. Check the listing for corkage fees. Some companies offer catering packages if you prefer.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The skipper decides if it’s safe to sail. If the charter is cancelled due to weather, you get a full refund or a reschedule. Check the cancellation policy before booking.

How far in advance should we book?

For peak season (June to September), book at least two weeks ahead. For shoulder months, one week is usually enough. If you want a specific boat, book as early as possible.

Can we swim and snorkel?

Yes. The skipper will anchor in a sheltered cove or bay. Most boats have a swim ladder and basic snorkel gear. Bring your own mask if you’re particular about fit.

Is it safe for someone who gets seasick?

Catamarans are more stable than motor yachts and sailing boats. Take seasickness tablets an hour before departure. The skipper will avoid rough water if possible.

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