In Menorca – as in all of Spain – a licence is required to rent a serious boat without a skipper. Depending on the country where the licence was issued, it is valid for driving different boats.
Length of the boat | Spanish License | UK License |
Up to 5m and less than 15 HP | No license required | |
Boats up to 6m | LN Navigation License Up to 6m in length, max 2 miles from the coast, with daylight. | RYA Level 2 or ICC ‘with LOA restriction up to 10m’ powerboat up to 10 metres (electric and coastal) 5 miles from shore. Daytime only. |
Boats up to 8m | Basic Navigation Pattern (PNB)Up to 8 m in length, 5 miles from the coast | |
Boats 8m-15m | PER Recreational Boat Pattern Up to 15m in length, up to 12m from the coast | Up to 10m RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) no LOA restriction up to 10m (power and inshore waters) up to 12 miles from shore.up to 10m RYA Day Skipper (power) up to 12 miles from shore.RYA Inshore 20 miles from shore.RYA/MCA Offshore Yachtmaster Up to 150 miles from shore. |
Yes, there are. Boats up to 5 m in length and with less than 15 HP can be rented and driven without a license from the age of 18. These boats are usually only suitable for local trips to a neighbouring cove, but not for longer trips as they are not very safe. The Spanish government is currently planning to ban this type of exception as many accidents are occurring. In Menorca you can find those in Cala Galdana and Fornells. Not all providers are trustworthy. Be careful.
Apart from bearing the extra cost of €250 plus tip, there are only advantages to having a skipper. Most importantly, you will have a more relaxed day without the responsibility of the boat and its valuable cargo (usually your family or friends). Especially if you are not a routine skipper you will most likely have uncertain situations. Also a skipper will know the best places to travel, hidden spots that are not easy to find, taking into account also the weather and sea conditions on the day. With a skipper you can simply relax, enjoy the day and even enjoy a nice drink, an option you should definitely not take when you are a skipper, as the Spanish police frequently stop boats and check the alcohol consumption of the responsible skipper.
By far the best place to rent a boat in Menorca is Mahon. There are many reasons for that:
No, the island government does not grant permission to rent jet skis on the island of Menorca. There are two exceptions: 1. Guided tours where all participants follow a guide in a row and 2. The jet ski is an official auxiliary of a motor yacht, as in the case of the Princess 65 “LAYA”
The offer of charter boats is very limited in places like Cala Galdana, Santo Tomas, Son Bou or Fornells. So it is better to rent a boat in Mahon. Also because of the danger of inland winds on the day of your trip (see question #X). Some charter companies will offer pick-up from those places from 10am. But keep in mind that fuel will have to be paid from Mahon and back to Mahon. Feasibility depends on location, the type of boat you hire, especially if the boat has a tender that can disembark, or your willingness to swim a few meters to the boat. Overall, leaving from Mahon is a magnificent experience as Mahon harbour is one of the prettiest in the Mediterranean.
That depends a lot on where you are. Generally that should be possible in Es Grau, Fornells, Punta Prima, Binibequer, Es Canutels, Santo Tomás and Son Bou. But the comfort of this exercise depends on the boat you hire. Larger boats and yachts >12m will take you with a dinghy from the beach, smaller ones will be able to come to a pier (there are few) or pick you up in shallow water. Please note that fuel will always have to be paid from Mahón and back to Mahón. It doesn’t matter if you travel on the boat or not.
Answer: The size of the boat depends on the number of people in your group, the intended use of the boat and your budget. A professional boat rental company can help you choose the right size boat. You will comfortably sail a boat using the following rule of thumb:
4 guests – 5-6m boat
6 guests – minimum 6-8m
8 guests – minimum 8m
10 guests – minimum 10m
12 guests – minimum 18m
14 guests: Please note that no charter boat in Spain can legally carry more than 12 passengers. This unfortunately includes infants. If you are over 12 you will need to order a two-seater charter with two boats. One larger and one smaller.
Generally, there are three categories of boats in Menorca: Yachts, Sport Boats and Llauts. Yachts are the most luxurious option. They will take you comfortably and quickly to the nicest places in Menorca and will welcome you with food and drinks.
Answer: The type of motorboat you should rent depends on the activities you plan to do. If you plan to do water sports, such as wakeboarding or skiing, a high-performance boat with a powerful engine would be suitable. If you plan to sail, a motor yacht or cabin yacht may be more appropriate.
This is possible, but there is always an extra charge. If you plan to rent your own boat without a skipper, the charter will be sensitive to your experience and skills, as water sports such as water skiing are extremely dangerous when undertaken by inexperienced captains. You will usually bear the risks yourself, as some insurances do not cover this.
Answer: The cost to rent a powerboat varies depending on the size and type of boat, the length of the rental, and the location. Some companies charge by the hour, while others charge by the day. Expect to pay a deposit up front and additional fees for fuel, cleaning, and insurance.
Answer: Yes, most charter companies allow you to bring your own food and drinks. However, some may prohibit glass bottles or require you to use plastic cups and plates. Good charter companies will offer convenient catering options.
Answer: In most cases, the cost of fuel is not included in the rental price. You will be responsible for filling up the tank at the end of your rental, and the charter company may charge you for any fuel you use.
Answer: The charter company will monitor weather conditions and may cancel or reschedule your rental if it is not safe to go out on the water. If your rental is cancelled due to bad weather, you may be offered a refund or the option to reschedule.
Answer: You should bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a towel, if you don’t want to rent some from the charter company. It’s also a good idea to bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Don’t forget to bring any food and drinks you want to have on board, and be sure to check with the charter company if you need to bring additional items.
You should know that you should always go along the coast that has a land wind. That should be your first criterion when choosing a destination. Starting from Mahón, the north and south coast have beautiful spots. Better hire a skipper to make sure you find them.
On the north coast our favorite beaches and coves are: Mongofre,…
On the south coast our favorite coves and beaches in Menorca are: …
Keep in mind that in July and August 90% of people want to go somewhere very nice like Macarella, Macarelleta, Son Saura, Cala Turqueta. These coves are crowded in high season and also far away. A skipper or boat rental company can advise you on places that are just as special and less crowded.
Especially in high season it is almost impossible to find a boat for just 4 hours. It is also not advisable as it probably takes 30 to 70 minutes to get to the really nice places. Also the port of Mahon is the largest (and prettiest) natural harbour in Europe with 6 km between the mouth and the end of the harbour where most of the moorings are located. So count about 25 minutes just to get out and back into the harbour. There is a speed limit of 3 tickets.
Boat rental prices consist of several components. The boat rental itself, which is valued at € per day. Make sure that the 21% VAT is included in the quote you receive. Charter companies now take several extra cost items:
The charter is usually for 8 hours from 10am to 6pm. This includes the time needed to refuel the boat and return to its berth. Half days are rarely offered in Menorca/Mahon as 4 hours is not enough to leave the port of Mahon, go to a really nice place, enjoy it and come back.
Some companies offer “Sunset” tours from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Those are proportionally more expensive as the staff work VERY long hours.
Bad weather is bad luck for everyone in Menorca, especially since the island usually experiences 1-3 days of Tramuntana winds that can make sailing uncomfortable. Good charterers in Menorca will allow you to change the day or give you a 100% refund if that is impossible. Bad weather should be defined by the charterer. It is usually not a few clouds or even rain, but conditions that make chartering uncomfortable or unsafe. It is usually more than 1m of swell on any possible route. For larger yachts, that number can go up to 1.5m.