Why Go Sailing in Spain?
Charter a yacht in Spain and find out why is this one of the most desirable sailing destinations in the world. It is extremely difficult to beat the diversity of Spain, a relatively small country which is surrounded by one ocean, two different seas and a vast number of diverse cultures, climates, and landscapes. If you’re looking for hot summers, mild winters and rough ocean sailing conditions - Spain is the place to go. However, if you’d like to spend a mild and chilly summer on an atoll, Spain is the best destination for it as well. Even if you want a tropical feel on your sailing holiday, a yacht charter in Spain can offer it too.
Yacht charter in the Mediterranean Coast of Spain offers the opportunity for sailors to discover the Spanish culture at its best, through regions such as Valencia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza & Formentera. Hop aboard your luxury yacht charter and spend some time in the picturesque and bohemian-like cities and towns of the area: Sitges, Cadaqués, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Peñíscola etc.
Charter a yacht in the unspoilt northern coast of Spain, well known for the best food offer in southern Europe. Its intact green coastal landscapes of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country can only be matched with the landscapes of much colder places like Ireland and Scotland.
The Canary Islands, archipelago of volcanic origins in the Atlantic are the place to go if you want to run away on your rental yacht from the cold European winter without leaving Europe.
Choose Your Perfect Boat in Spain
Sailing Conditions in Spain
You can charter a yacht in Spain throughout the entire year. Both spring and autumn are great for sailing the Mediterranean - the weather is great, but you also have the advantage of escaping the big crowds that come to the area as soon as the summer starts. However, summer is the most popular time for chartering a yacht on the Balearic Islands. As well, a right time for yachting in the northern coast of Spain. Be careful, though, the Atlantic Ocean can get a bit rough at any time of the year and you might need to look for a haven in July or August as well.
If you want to rent a yacht in Spain during the winter, between November and February, the Canary Islands are the perfect choice. The climate is mainly sunny and warm, with temperatures very rarely going below 18°C all year round. Besides that, the sea temperature is constantly close to 22°C. There are three main types of climates on the Spanish Coast. Mediterranean Coast climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, dry winters. The average temperature in the winter ranges between 5°C and 15°C, while going up to 26°C and 35°C during the yacht charter season. The sea temperature amounts to around 14°C in February and 25°C in August. Northern Spain climate is colder and much rainier, although the summer tends to be mild and sunny. The average temperature in the winter ranges between 5°C and 10°C, and between 15°C and 23°C during the summer, so keep that in mind if you want to charter a boat in Costa Verde. The sea temperature is around 10°C in February and 22°C in August.
Sailing Regions in Spain
Winds and Tides
The Spanish weather is fairly stable, but it can also be prone to winds, creating the perfect sailing conditions for those who want to embark on an adventure by boat. Borrasca is a thunderstorm or violent squall, especially in the Mediterranean and the Northern Part of Spain. It usually comes from NW, W. Chubasco is a rapid and strong downpour, it starts up very quickly but stops in a matter of minutes. It is quite common throughout the country. It doesn’t come from a specific direction.
Levante is a hot wind from E, NE, that can be especially strong in the Strait of Gibraltar, where the local conditions increase its power and speed. Another SW wind you will feel on your charter yacht in Spain is lebeche. This one coming from the Sahara, bringing elevated temperatures and sand from the desert. In the Canary Islands area, it is also known as calima. Galerna is stormy, hot, and very humid NW wind that arises unexpectedly on the north coast, especially during the summer season. Wind gusts can go up to more than 100 kilometres per hour. Tramontana originated in the French Central Massif and the Pyrenees, it is a N wind that blows strongly over the Balearic Islands and some parts of Catalonia. Sometimes it can reach speeds close to two hundred kilometres per hour.
Normally, the heights of waves in the Mediterranean range between 0.5 and 1.5 m, and very rarely exceed 5 m. However, the Atlantic and Cantabria coasts are a whole different thing. There, waves can easily go beyond 10 meters during the winter. Actually, the biggest wave recorded in Spain was appeared near to Galicia and was 27,81 meters high.
On the Mediterranean Coast, there are practically no tides. The Cantabrian Coast of Spain has a tidal range of 1 meter. On the Atlantic Coast (Galicia, Canary Islands) tidal range can go up to 2,8 m.
You will hardly notice any sea currents on your charter yacht in the Mediterranean, but this changes on the Atlantic side of the Spanish coast. The Galician coast is under the influence of cold currents all year long, but the more east you sail, the warmer water you will get.
Important Info for Sailing in Spain
Best Time to Sail
April – November, Canary Islands: November - February
Climate
Mediterranean
Sailing License
Required
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Spoken Language
Spanish
Top Attractions
Lobos Island, Mount Teide NP (Tenerife), Timanfaya NP (Lanzarote), Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), Cadaqués (Costa Brava)
Top Reasons to Visit Spain
Enjoy the amazing view of Barcelona’s skyline from your charter yacht. As the night falls, the city turns into one big party you do not want to miss. Wild rhythms of flamenco can be heard on the streets, jazz music from basements, indie rock from concert halls. As a real Barcelona citizen, dine in one of the numerous tapas bars and seafood restaurants. Sail the stunning Balearic Islands, visit Mallorca, and explore its rich history, amazing medieval architecture, eat in top rated restaurants and enjoy the amazing nightlife. Make the most of your sailing vacation and discover deserted coves in the northeast, visit the Caves of Drach, near Porto Cristo. The four caves with the underground lake and a classical concert performed on a boat are something you should not miss.
Charter a yacht in the party capital of the world – Ibiza, a place you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Party hard in Europe’s best nightclubs in San Antonio or Playa d’en Bossa, with performances of the world’s best DJs. Big parts of the island are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and you should visit at least some of them, such as the old part of Ibiza Town or the remains of the first Phoenician settlement at Sa Caleta.
Valencia is the birthplace of one of the three main types of Spanish Paella – Valencian Paella, and it would be a shame not to try it at least once. If you charter a yacht in Valencia in March, be sure to check out the internationally famous Fallas Festival, Valencia’s unofficial welcome to the spring. In a program full of impressive sound and light shows, there are many concerts taking place in the Viveros Gardens in the evening.
