Renting a sunset boat trip on the Costa Blanca: prices, licences and where to book

Yes, you can head out to sea as the sun sinks behind the Peñón de Ifach, without owning a boat and not necessarily needing a licence: that is possible on the Costa Blanca, even tonight if you book in time. From Alicante to Torrevieja, by way of Altea, Moraira, Calpe, Jávea and Dénia, operators run "puesta de sol" (sunset) trips with or without a skipper. Prices range from a no-licence rental at 65 euros in Torrevieja up to a full sailing yacht charter at 500 euros for half a day in Alicante. One important thing to know before you go: a national rule changes on 1 October 2026, and it specifically targets "no licence required" rentals. Below are the verified marinas, operators, real prices, and the ones that only quote on request.

Do you need a licence to rent a boat on the Costa Blanca?

Not always, at least until 1 October 2026. For a trip with a skipper, you need nothing: the professional captain steers, you relax. That is the case with most "sunset" trip operators. For renting and steering yourself, licence categories matter in Spain:

• The PER (Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo): valid up to 15m and 12 nautical miles from shore. With it you can rent without a skipper and cruise along the coast.
• The Capitán de Yate: a higher offshore qualification.
• The Licencia de Navegación (nicknamed the "titulín"): for small craft this light qualification is enough, valid up to 6m and 2 nautical miles from shore. Several operators (Mawi Boats, Náutica Gómez) require it to steer certain models, or offer a skipper as an option instead.

What about your own licence from home? If you hold a recognised boating licence (RYA Powerboat certification, an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), a US-issued licence, and so on), do not assume it is automatically accepted in Spain: ask the rental company directly when you book, because acceptance varies by operator and by boat model. If in doubt, choose a skippered trip, where no personal qualification is required.

What changes on 1 October 2026 (Real Decreto 1188/2025)?

This is the key thing to know before booking a no-licence rental. Real Decreto 1188/2025 (reference BOE-A-2025-27010, published in the BOE on 30/12/2025) removes, from 1 October 2026, the option to rent a motorboat under 5m and 15hp with absolutely no licence. There is a nuance: the "no licence needed" exemption does not disappear entirely, it will remain valid only for private use, that is, your own boat. For rentals, it goes away. In practice, from that date a minimum Licencia de Navegación will become compulsory even to rent a small boat. "Sin licencia" offers like Rumbo Torrevieja's remain valid this summer, but the rules change after 1 October 2026. If you are after a no-licence rental, now is the time. If you are settling here and plan to go out often, getting the titulín (or using a recognised foreign licence, checked with the operator) is the real investment. Nothing changes for skippered trips: they stay open to everyone.

Where to book a sunset trip, and at what price?

The Costa Blanca does not have one single marina like Valencia: operators are spread from Alicante in the south to Dénia in the north. Your choice depends as much on your town as on your budget. Here are the operators verified port by port. Be honest with yourself on one point: several do not list any price online and work "by quote", so you need to call before booking a date.

A word on honesty: no reliable primary source was found for Benidorm (the site was unreachable during research, only generic aggregators), so it is not included in the price table rather than quoting an unverifiable rate. Likewise, for Mawi Boats, The Boat Experience and Náutica Gómez, no price for a short (1 to 2 hour) sunset trip is published online: the only reliable answer is "quote on request, call before booking."

For a clear, published price, two options stand out: Il Nero Sailing in Alicante for an all-inclusive sailing yacht charter, and Rumbo Torrevieja for the cheapest no-licence rental, from 65 euros. For a northern setting with the Peñón de Ifach as backdrop, contact Mawi Boats in Altea or The Boat Experience for a quote.

With or without a skipper: how do you choose for sunset?

It depends on your profile. If you hold a valid licence and are used to steering, a no-skipper rental is the most flexible and often the cheapest per hour: that is the case with Rumbo Torrevieja, or with Mawi Boats and Náutica Gómez provided you have at least the titulín. If you are a beginner, coming with family, or simply want to toast the sunset without worrying about anything, take a trip with a professional captain: Il Nero Sailing in Alicante and The Boat Experience around Moraira are built for that, safety and insurance included. For a group chartering together, the cost of a half-day sailing yacht split between passengers quickly becomes reasonable.

Frequently asked questions

Does my home boating licence let me rent on the Costa Blanca?

Do not assume it does. A recognised licence from home (RYA Powerboat, an ICC, a US-issued licence, and so on) may be accepted, but that varies by operator and by boat model, so ask the rental company directly when you book. The relevant local categories are the Spanish PER and the Licencia de Navegación (titulín). If in doubt, a skippered trip requires no personal qualification.

Can you still rent a boat with no licence at all on the Costa Blanca?

Yes, as of publication, for example Rumbo Torrevieja's no-licence boats in Torrevieja from 65 euros. But from 1 October 2026, Real Decreto 1188/2025 removes this option for rentals: a minimum Licencia de Navegación (titulín) will be required. The exemption will only remain valid for your own boat, for private use.

What is the cheapest sunset trip?

For a no-skipper rental, Rumbo Torrevieja starts at 65 euros (no licence). For a skippered trip with a published quote, Il Nero Sailing in Alicante offers a half-day private sailing yacht charter from 350 euros in low season (up to 12 people, split between the group). Other operators work by quote, so call them.

Should you book ahead for a sunset trip?

Yes, especially in high season and for quote-only operators with no online booking. Call a day or two ahead to confirm the price, the exact duration, the weather and any required qualifications.

Sources

Boletín Oficial del Estado, Real Decreto 1188/2025 (BOE-A-2025-27010, published 30/12/2025); public pages and prices of Il Nero Sailing (ilnerosailing.com), Mawi Boats, The Boat Experience, Náutica Gómez and Rumbo Torrevieja. Prices and availability recorded at time of publication; "on request" rates should be confirmed directly with operators.

Information verified in July 2026. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human editorial review and responsibility.