Cantabria is one of those destinations where you will have landscapes full of contrasts as both its beaches and mountains are spectacular. It has a total of 137 miles (220 km) of coastline and more than 90 beaches to enjoy its famous golden sands. Undoubtedly, it is a place where nature abounds, its cuisine is exquisite and you can perform various water activities perfect to get away from the routine, especially in summer.

Therefore, we want to recommend one of the best ways to take advantage of all the benefits of Cantabria: renting a boat! This way, you will be able to discover every corner of the Cantabrian coast in an original way and from a completely unique point of view. Wild beaches, golden sand, miles long, with both calm and furious waters, rock formations and imposing cliffs ... That and much more will be what you can enjoy during your boat rental in Cantabria. Are you up for it?

Where to rent a boat in Cantabria?

• Santander: here you will find one of the most beautiful bays in the world with a privileged location between the sea and the mountains. Having the Picos de Europa National Park at your back while sailing in the Bay of Santander is an incredible experience. That's why we encourage you to rent a motor boat, with or without a license, and head to magical places like the Magdalena Peninsula or enjoy a breathtaking sunset at the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse. Although if you want to spend a day at the beach, you can’t miss in your itinerary Mataleñas or El Sardinero Beach.

• Noja: in this charming Cantabrian municipality, we recommend you to rent a boat and take a route through the different rock formations and cliffs of the area. From Monte Brusco you can start your day's boat trip at Trengandín Beach and finish at Ris Beach, from where you can see the Islet of San Pedro and the Islita de la Oliva.

• San Vicente de la Barquera: this fishing village is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cantabria. It is known for its waves for surfing, but also for having some of the best beaches on the coast such as El Rosal, El Tostadero, Merón and Gerra Beaches. And let's not forget its estuary! Where you can observe different boats of different colors creating a very beautiful landscape. Here you can rent motorboats and even sailboats, two of the best boats to sail the waters of the Cantabrian Sea.

• Laredo: if you wanted to rent a boat with your friends and you don't have a nautical license, here you can choose from a wide variety of boats. It is the perfect opportunity for you to get together and sail close to the coast, visiting the beaches of Salve, El Regatón, La Soledad, for example.

• Castro Urdiales: this is one of the most beautiful villages in Cantabria, and no wonder! Its fishing port is very famous and there you can choose from a wide range of boats to rent and go sailing with your family. A sailboat at sunset on the coast is amazing, don’t hesitate to come and see the Castle and Lighthouse of Santa Ana and Ostende Beach, you will love it!

• Santoña: it has one of the most outstanding ports of Cantabria, so it won’t be difficult to rent a boat and go sailing for hours or days, you choose! Of course, don’t miss a visit to the beaches of Berria and San Martin, a real wonder.

• Suances: finally, one of the most touristic localities of Cantabria. Here are the best known and most beautiful beaches in the area, so a boat trip is a must during your days in Suances. Los Locos, La Concha, La Ribera and La Riberuca beaches are some of them and we can assure you that they will not leave you indifferent. Here it is very popular to rent a sailboat, so if you were thinking of doing a regatta, this is the right place to start it.

What types of boats can I rent in Cantabria?

If there is a boat that stands out from the others in the ports of Cantabria, it is undoubtedly the sailboats. These vessels are perfect for sailing with friends or family along the best parts of the coast of Cantabria, as they can be sailing or motorized.

You can rent a sailboat in Cantabria with or without skipper, depending on whether you have a nautical license or not. In case you do not have a sailing license, you can opt for the boats where it is not a mandatory requirement to have it. They are usually boats of up to 8 passengers and a maximum length of 6 meters. With them, you can sail up to 2 miles away from the coast, the perfect option for those who want to get away from the beach routine and get into the waters of the Cantabrian Sea.

When is the best time to rent a boat in Cantabria?

As you can already guess, the weather in the north of Spain can be a bit unstable during some seasons. Therefore, we recommend you to rent a boat during the summer, when the waters are calmer and you can enjoy the sunny days of Cantabria. Although you can rent a boat at any time of the year, as it is a very popular activity that allows you to get to know different places in a unique way.

What requirements do I need to rent a boat in Cantabria?

It is good that you are wondering what you need to rent a boat and that everything runs smoothly. Well, the first thing you should do is to make sure that the boat you are going to rent does not require a navigation license. In case it is an indispensable requirement, you will have to present all your documentation together with the identification document. You should also pay attention to whether you have to pay a deposit or not, as it depends on the type of boat you rent and also on the fuel, since it is normal that you are given the boat with a full tank and you must return it in the same conditions.

If you have opted for a boat rental with skipper, then you shouldn’t worry about anything because it is himself who will direct the navigation and will take care of these issues. But do think about the itinerary for your next boat trip because Cantabria is waiting for you!