FAQs

Choosing and reserving a boat in Menorca Barco

1. What permit do I need in Spain / Menorca to charter / rent a boat

In Menorca – same as in all of Spain- one needs a licence to rent a serious boat without a skipper. Depending on the country where the licence was issued it is valid to drive different boats.

Boat length	Spanish Licence	UK License	US License	French Licence	German Licence
Up to 5m and less than 15 HP	No license required
Boats up to 6m	Licencia de Navegacion LNUp to 6m length, max 2 miles from coast, with daylight.	RYA Powerboat Level 2 or ICC ‘with up to 10m LOA restriction’ up to 10 meters (power and coastal) 5 miles from coast. Daylight hours only.
Boats up to 8m	Patrón de Navegacion Basica (PNB)Up to 8m length, 5 miles from coast
Boats 8m-15m	Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo PER Up to 15m length, up to 12m from coast	Up to 10m RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) without up to 10m LOA restriction (power and coastal waters) up to 12 miles from coast.Up to 10m RYA Day Skipper (power) up to 12 miles from a coast.RYA Coastal 20 miles from coast.RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Up to 150 miles from coast.

2. Where can I rent boats without a licence / permit in Menorca?

Yes, there are. Boats up to 5m in length and with less than 15 HP can be rented and driven without a licence from the age of 18 years onwards. Those 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 currently plans to ban this kind of exception as many accidents are happening. In Menorca you can find those in Cala Galdana and Fornells. Not all suppliers are reputable. Watch out.

3. Should I take a skipper on my trip when renting a boat in Menorca?

Apart from bearing the extra cost of typically €250 plus tip, there are only advantages of taking a skipper. Most importantly, you will have a more relaxing day without the responsibility for the boat and its precious load (typically your family or friends). Especially, if you are not a routined skipper you will most certainly have situations of uncertainty. Also a skipper will know the nicest places to travel to, hidden spots that are not easy to find, also taking into account the weather and sea conditions on the day. With a skipper you can just relax, enjoy the day and even enjoy a nice drink – an option you definitely should not take when skippering as Spanish police frequently stop boats and check alcohol use of the responsible skipper.

4. What is the best place to charter a boat in Menorca?

By far the best place to charter a boat in Menorca is Mahon. There are many reasons for that:

In high seasons you want to reserve your boat well in advance to get one at all. As in Menorca you have most of the time either northerly winds or southerly winds, you want to be flexible on the route, as you always want to sail with offshore winds (for less waves, safety and water quality). By booking in a port on the north or south you want to book in advance in a port that serves the north and south shore. That is effectively only Mahon. From Ciutadella there are no nice destinations going north.

The offering is the broadest. 90% of charter companies are in Mahon so the offering is big and diverse.
For boats that can be taken without licence you want to be very close to a very nice destination, as they are not safe to go far. Best places are Cala Galdana and Fornells for boats without license.

5. Is it possible to charter a jet ski in Menorca?

No, The island government does not give permission to hire Jetskis on the Island of Menorca. There are two exceptions: 1. Guides tours where all participants follow a guide in a row and 2. The jetski is an official auxiliary of a motor yacht, like in the case of the Princess 65 “LAYA”

6. Is it possible to charter a boat in Cala Galdana, Son Bou, Fornells, Santo Tomas?

The offering of charter boats is very limited in places like Cala Galdana, Santo Tomas, Son Bou or Fornells. So it’s better to hire a boat in Mahon. Also because of the danger of on-shore winds on the day of your trip (see question #X). Some charter companies will offer pick-up in those locations as early as 10am. But note, that the fuel will have to be paid from Mahon and back to Mahon. The feasibility depends on the location, kind of boat you hire – especially if the boat has a tender boat that can go ashore, or your willingness to swim a few metres to the boat. Generally, starting from Mahon is a magnificent experience as the port of Mahon is one of the nicest in the Mediterranean

7. Is it possible to be picked up by a boat where I am?

That very much depends on where you are. Generally that should be possible in Es Grau, Fornells, Punta Prima, Binibequer, Es Canutels, Santo Tomas and Son Bou. But the comfort of this exercise depends on the boat you hire. Bigger boats and yachts >12m will get you with a tender boat 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 Mahon and back to Mahon. No matter if you are travelling on the boat or not.

8. What size boat do I need for my group?

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 charter company can help you choose the right size boat. Comfortably you will be cruising on 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 – note that no rental boat in Spain may legally carry more than 12 passengers. This unfortunately includes babies. If you are more than 12 you will have to ask for a tandem charter with two boats. A bigger one and a smaller one.

9. What type of motor boat should I rent in Menorca?

Generally, there are three categories of boats in Menorca: Yachts, Sport Boats and Llauts. Yachts are the most luxurious option. They will comfortably bring you quickly to the nicest places in Menorca and host you with food and drinks.

Answer: The type of motor boat 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 cruise around, a motor yacht or cabin cruiser may be more appropriate.

10. Can I do water sports when renting a motor boat in Menorca, like water ski, wakeboarding,etc?

11. How much does it cost to rent a motor boat?

Answer: The cost of renting a motor boat varies depending on the size and type of the boat, the duration of the rental, and the location. Some companies charge by the hour, while others charge by the day. Expect to pay a deposit upfront and additional fees for fuel, cleaning, and insurance.

12. Can I bring my own food and drinks on the boat?

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.

13. Is the cost of fuel included in the rental price?

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.

14. What happens if there is bad weather on the day of my rental?

Answer: The charter company will monitor the weather conditions and may cancel or reschedule your rental if it is unsafe to go out on the water. If your rental is canceled due to bad weather, you may be offered a refund or the option to reschedule.

15. What should I bring with me on the boat?

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 any additional items.

16. What are the most popular routes and beaches to go to by boat in Menorca?

You have to know that you should always go on the coast that has on-shore winds. That should be your first criteria when choosing a destination. Departing from Mahon, the north and south coast both have beautiful spots. Better hire a skipper to be sure you find them.

On the north coast our favourite beaches and coves are: Mongofre, .., ,,,

On the south coast our favourite coves and beaches in Menorca are: …

Bear in mind that in July and August 90% of people want to go to a few very nice places like Macarella, Macarelleta, Son Saura, Cala Turqueta. Those coves are overcrowded in high season and also far away. A skipper or boat charter company can advise you on places that are as special and less crowded.

17. Can I rent a boat for half day in Menorca?

18. What is the rental cost of the motorboat in Menorca and what is included in the price?

The rental prices of boats consist of several components. The rental of the boat itself which is a Euro value per day. Make sure that the 21% VAT is included in the quote you get. Charter companies now take various extra cost items:

Always: Fuel. Here its either like a rental car (full/full) which is transparent and clear or by engine hous. More professional charter companies will have digital trackers that will tell you the engine hours your boat had during the day. Fuel consumption of boats is indicated in liters / hour. Usually the boating company will have a € amount per hour of engine operation.
Sometimes: Final cleaning – some companies charge a hefty extra cleaning fee. That can make a big difference.
Always: Extras: From towels to water toys or catering. Those things are always at extra charge. An extra can also be to have the boat refuelled by the staff of the charterer instead of going to the fuel station and doing it yourself.Extra time beyond the contracted 8 hours are also charged extra.
Never: Insurance. Some companies charge extra for insurance. That is not customary and you should probably avoid those companies.

19. What is the duration of the rental period and what are the rental policies?

Rental is usually 8 hours from 10 to 6pm. This includes the time needed to re-fuel the boat and get back to its berth. Half days are seldomly offered in Menorca / Mahon as 4 hours is not enough to leave the port of Mahon, go somewhere really nice, enjoy it and come back.

Some companies offer “Sunset” tours though from about 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Those are proportionally more expensive as staff works VERY long hours then.

20. What is the cancellation policy in case of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances?

Bad weather is tough luck for everyone in Menorca, especially as the island is usually experiencing 1-3 days of Tramuntana winds which can make boating 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. Usually, it’s not a few clouds or even rain, but conditions that make the charter uncomfortable or not safe. Usually it’s more than 1m swell on any possible route. For bigger yachts that number can be as high as 1,5m.

21. Are there any additional fees or charges that I should be aware of, such as cleaning or docking fees? Charter companies now take various extra cost items:

Always: Fuel. Here its either like a rental car (full/full) which is transparent and clear or by engine hous. More professional charter companies will have digital trackers that will tell you the engine hours your boat had during the day. Fuel consumption of boats is indicated in liters / hour. Usually the boating company will have a € amount per hour of engine operation.
Always: Extras: From towels to water toys or catering. Those things are always at extra charge. An extra can also be to have the boat refuelled by the staff of the charterer instead of going to the fuel station and doing it yourself.Extra time beyond the contracted 8 hours are also charged extra. Sometimes: Final cleaning – some companies charge a hefty extra cleaning fee. That can make a big difference.
Never: Insurance. Some companies charge extra for insurance. That is not customary and you should probably avoid those companies.