octopus yacht in malaga

Superyacht ‘Octopus’ returns to the port of Spain’s Malaga

SUPERYACHT ‘Octopus’ will return to the port of Malaga today, Wednesday August 4.

Coming from Gibraltar and sharing a berth with the Mayan Queen IV, another megayacht owned by Mexican billionaire Alberto Bailleres which arrived last weekend, the Octopus is scheduled to moor at the port for a month.

The 126-metre long megayacht, owned by the heirs of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, was put up for sale in February 2019 for €295 million, and will reside in Malaga port for the following month while waiting for potential buyers.

This is not the first time the ‘Octopus’ has spent time in Malaga awaiting potential suitors, after her four-month visit in 2019, Octopus set sail for the Italian port of Cagliari on January 14, 2020, and since then she has made short visits to the port of Malaga.

The exterior of this opulent yacht was designed by Espen Oino Naval Architects and built by the German shipbuilders Lurssen, between 2002 and 2003, whilst Jonathan Quinn Barnett of Seattle was responsible for the interior, and until 2009 the ‘Octopus’ was the largest non-state yacht in the world.

The Octopus’ most astonishing features include its two helicopters, a submarine, swimming pool, music studio and basketball court.

The superyacht accommodates up to 26 guests in 41 suites and a crew of 60.

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Cristina Hodgson

Half English, half Spanish animal person. Cristina loves writing about all things fitness, travel and culture, she is also a script writer and novelist. When she's not typing away, you can find her enjoying outdoor sports somewhere off the beaten track in Andalucia. If you have a story get in touch! [email protected]

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Inside Octopus: Origin story of the 126m superyacht finally revealed

The barest of details have been revealed about the mysterious  Octopus  over the past 19 years. But with a new owner and on the charter market for the first time, the 126-metre  Lürssen  superyacht is finally ready to reveal her secrets past and present…

One of the best things about flying into the South of France is the view. The brilliant blue coastline is peppered with hundreds of yachts. On this flight, however, just one of the boats below us demands our attention: the 126-metre explorer  Octopus .

The following day, in the port of Marseille where her new owner’s team is wrapping up a refit before  Octopus  departs for the Galápagos, I finally see her up close. Her navy-blue hull and skyscraper decks are incredibly impressive, while on the inside she is welcoming and warm. Although she has been refitted, her history is palpable. There’s much to learn about  Octopus , and everyone involved in her story is finally ready to talk, after decades of silence.

Why was  Octopus  such a secret? In 1998, strict non-disclosure agreements were issued all around to protect the privacy of her original owner, the late American entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft. “It was the first time I was faced with an NDA,” says  Espen Øino , who has gone on to sign hundreds over the years. “NDAs are strict and long lasting and don’t necessarily pass when the client does,” notes  Jonathan Quinn Barnett , who created  Octopus ’s original interior. “I had deep respect and admiration for Mr Allen, so to be able to say even a few words about  Octopus  now is marvellous.”

For builder Lürssen, the story started with a bit of detective work. The German shipyard’s sales director, Michael Breman, heard about a mysterious box that was loaded onto Allen’s 60.6-metre Feadship  Méduse , which supposedly contained a scale model of a new vessel.

“I figured out that something was going on and we ought to be involved,” he says. “So I contacted Paul Allen’s broker, [ Fraser’s ] Stuart Larsen, to ask some questions.”

Some time after, during a trip to the South of France, Breman received the go-ahead to submit a bid and arranged for a fax containing the brief to be sent to Øino’s office in Monaco. “Put that into context, this is 1998!” Øino says with a laugh. “Michael was in our office as the fax came in and going through it, we just couldn’t believe the brief, we thought it was totally crazy.”

The brief called for an industrial-style yacht with the appearance and capability of the Finnish multipurpose icebreaker  Fennica , built in 1993. Luckily, Øino knew the vessel. “I had a photo of  Fennica  from a few years earlier when I visited her while cruising with another client in the fjords,” says the designer. What he went on to sketch in pencil and model for the presentation was a sturdy explorer with two interchangeable options for the bow and the wheelhouse. “What is remarkable is that the original sketches and ideas are so close to what it actually became,” Breman says.

Another key part of the brief was for all toys and tenders, including a helicopter, a submarine and a floatplane, to be carried in a concealed way. So Øino drew a methodical general arrangement that included a two-level 36-metre-long floodable garage opening at the stern. “Launching so many toys over the side of the boat wasn’t the optimum idea and would affect the stability; a lot of heeling would occur,” the designer says.

Instead, working with the rules that oversee subdivisions inside a ship’s hull – and deal with damage stability calculations – he created one very long and tall compartment on the yacht’s centreline with a floodable dock flanked by rows of smaller garages to store the entire toy inventory of what became known as Project Octopus.

“At Lürssen, we give everything a project name, and my daughter came up with  Octopus ,” says Breman. “Along with Paul’s love for diving, plus the fact that his previous yacht was  Méduse  [“jellyfish” in French], we thought  Octopus  was a perfect project name. Little did we know then that  Octopus  would be her name once completed and delivered.” Øino says. “She was our 15th project enquiry in 1998, and so in my office, she was known as 9815.”

The proposal Lürssen created with Øino was successful, but the German shipyard soon had to resolve its first quandary – it didn’t have a shed available. “We ended up having to build her with a partner in Kiel,” Breman says. It also had to solve the matter of the explorer’s floodable garage, which had to be approved by class. “After researching multiple alternatives, the first idea that Espen drew was the one that worked the best,” he adds. “Our in-house model department then built a scale model of the garage to demonstrate how it could work. We even tested it by driving a tender in and out.”

Octopus’ s interior, meanwhile, came from a young American designer who had recently relocated from London where he’d worked with  Jon Bannenberg , to Seattle. The owner’s team chose Barnett from a small pool of interior designers to embellish the complex GA of the largest and most advanced explorer yacht ever built at the time.

“Paul Allen’s team told me the safest route would be to follow the creative direction of the owner’s two previous  Feadship  designs,” the designer says. “I did the opposite!” And the result was what Barnett describes as a “floating laboratory”, a timeless design perfectly suited to a creative genius. Included in the layout were out-of-the-box features such as a fully equipped medical centre, a storm cabin made to keep those who needed it comfortable in bad weather and a professional recording studio. “Back then, no yacht was capable of non-stop circumnavigation, while cutting an album for U2,” he says. Mick Jagger, Usher and Joss Stone are also said to have spent time in the studio – a claim no other superyacht is ever likely to make.

Barnett took a simple approach to the interior decor. While some walls are painted a neutral colour, others are covered in bee’s wing-figured eucalyptus, and it’s this vast amount of wood panelling that gives the hardy explorer the warm, comfortable feeling of a home. For Allen and Barnett, the walls were just another fun puzzle to solve. “The geometry of the panels is elegant mathematics, something Mr Allen really appreciated,” Barnett says. “The handmade veneer arrived on custom-made grids, which fitted within the yacht’s own uniquely built steel frame spacing.” The walls do not just provide insulation and conceal cableways, but originally held the ever-changing art gallery on each deck. What’s on the walls today are snapshots of  Octopus ’s adventures over the years: panoramas of Patagonian icebergs, portraits of local tribe members in Tahiti and landscapes of Asia’s ancient golden temples.

An original feature that remains on the yacht to this day is an unusual timekeeping device. Braided stainless-steel shrouds from a sailing vessel are strung on either side of the grand staircase from lower to upper deck, and they function as a clock. “I combined the old tradition of having a central clock on board a ship with my client’s unique passions for modern sculpture, mathematics, art and music,” Barnett explains. “I subcontracted a 102-year-old German specialist clock company to make it, and – I’ll tell you a secret – I used digital audio software from Apple for the tunes. Sorry, Microsoft!” he says with a laugh. “I thought the clock might become a helpful visual cue to help guests find some critical orientation. Every 15 minutes, the strings could play anything from  The Bells of St Mary’s  to Jimi Hendrix!”

Octopus  was also fitted with an huge amount of onboard electronics. “Of course, the co-founder of Microsoft required more than 54 tonnes of AV and IT equipment on board,” Øino says with a smile. While the bulk of the wiring went to the studio, each cabin was assigned 60 cables for computers, entertainment systems and more, including touchscreens – which in 1998, was an exciting innovation. “They were amazing,” says Øino, “so far ahead of their time.” The touchscreens are still used today by the crew, who also use iPads as infotainment control panels for elements such as lighting and music in guest areas.

When  Octopus  launched in 2003, it was clear she had broken new ground. With diesel-electric propulsion consisting of two ABB electric motors and eight MTU 16V 4000 M50 diesel engines, she was perfectly equipped to travel anywhere in the world. “ Octopus  was always on the go,” Øino says. “Diesel-electric wasn’t commonplace in the early millennium,” he observes, and “ Octopus  was the first yacht with dynamic positioning.”

The project propelled Lürssen into the large-yacht segment and her designers had a huge career boost. “ Octopus  blew everyone away,” Breman says. “The idea and the design are something unprecedented.” What the first aerial photographs of the yacht could make out were her winged wheelhouse, long swimming pool, two helidecks and hangars and a basketball court. Whereas on the inside, areas such as the dive centre with hyperbaric chamber, 12 cabins and private owner’s deck with its own lift, terrace and spa pool were out of sight.

After a decade of extensive travelling,  Octopus ’s engines had to be overhauled. However, her interior had worn well. “There was nothing that required a major redesign or change,” Barnett says. “All the original architecture, spaces, surfaces and design details still performed exceptionally well. Seeing it made me immensely proud.”

Although she was well-maintained and in full working order, in 2019 she was sent for a refit at the Lürssen-owned  Blohm+Voss  shipyard to prepare her for the market several months after Allen passed in 2018. She had spent two decades playing host to many parties, concerts, discoveries and expeditions, and the legacy needed to continue.

In 2021, a new owner came along with plans to make her available for select charters. Transforming  Octopus  into the remarkable charter yacht that he envisioned required a few more changes. The owner’s team enlisted Adriana Monk of  Monk Design  to retouch several spaces. Top of the list was replacing the recording studio.

“Unless you’re really into music, a studio is a niche thing to have,” says Alan Pike, one of two rotational captains. Now in the studio’s prime position – aft on the bridge deck – is a modern bar/ lounge. On either side of the new bar, new guitars hang from the original wall mounts and the grand piano has stayed put. In keeping with the beach bar look Monk created, new bleached oak flooring matches the original weathered teak deck outside.

“The vocal booth is now a DJ booth,” says the captain. “We’ve kept the soundproofing, so this place is perfect for a party, or any kind of dining.” With a new sound system and outdoor lighting, “we can really go for it”. Outdoors, there’s a glass- bottom pool that, at the touch of a button, can be made into an on-water dance floor. There’s also a wood-fired pizza oven, a service bar with a beer tap and three barbecue cooking stations.

On the entertainment deck, the former formal dining room became a wine bar. On the ceiling are scenes from Allen’s 2015 shipwreck dive to the Second World War battleship  Musashi  in the Philippines. “I was granted exclusive access to the ROV footage of the  Musashi  expedition to select shipwreck stills for the backlit ceiling,” Monk says.

Nearby, the guest observation lounge was, and still is, a firm favourite. “To dine here while cruising is a joy that’s hard to describe,” says Barnett. “I like to think of this area’s design as a mid-century sunken living room.” The feeling is created by two large sofas that snake around the room looking out over the bow. The seats look low, but the view is perfect. The rest of the deck is fun and social, as there’s also a 12-seat 4D cinema, the owner’s chef ’s galley, a table-tennis table, gym, smoothie bar, hair and massage salons and a grand library, complete with an ethanol fireplace.

Soft beige and cream carpets with wave patterns have replaced patterned blue and green rugs, and in addition to the new custom-designed pieces, free-standing items of furniture selected by Monk have helped give the interior a feel that suits  Octopus ’s new charter lifestyle. But it’s nothing dramatic. “We have kept as much as possible true to the original,” the captain says. “I strove to respect the spirit of  Octopus  while capturing the new owner’s lifestyle and vision,” Monk adds. “It was an intense and challenging project.”

The yacht’s charter schedule was entrusted to  Camper & Nicholsons .  Octopus ’s range of 12,500 nautical miles and true explorer credentials offer a huge scope for charter, and as the ripples prove on the hull’s strong plating, she is more than capable of going the distance. “She can do anything!” says charter marketing manager Gayle Patterson, who has already booked the superyacht on two excursions to Antarctica. The demand has been equal to the yacht’s renown. “We’ve grown our yacht management team to give her the care she deserves,” she adds.

Since  Octopus  was delivered, many more superyachts have adopted technologically forward designs and groundbreaking engineering and have undertaken impressive expeditions. But none have achieved what  Octopus  has. As she continues to move around the world, more people will get the opportunity to step on board. And when they do, perhaps they will feel the undeniable magic that seems to linger. One thing is for sure: wherever  Octopus  carries her guests, it is a journey they will remember for the rest of their lives.

The Toy Chest

Built to explore,  Octopus  has an incredible fleet that revolves around the cavernous 36-metre internal wet dock where the two main tenders are stored and launched through a giant transom door. Today the main tender is an 18-metre Delta 54, built in carbon with an impressive range of 450nm at 30 knots; the original was  Man-of-War , an 18-metre custom Vikal, later replaced by a 13-metre Hinckley. Sharing that space was a yellow 10-person custom submarine, named  Pagoo . A new Triton 3300/6 will take that spot when it is delivered in early 2023. Most of the other tenders have dedicated garages on either side of the wet dock. They are a 9.3-metre custom Vikal limousine and two 8.7-metre custom Zodiacs, one for diving, the other for guests. Two 5.8-metre Zodiac Milpro MK-V are also available for watersports, as is an array of WaveRunners, jet skis, kayaks, surfboards, wakeboards, kitesurfers, windsurfers and electric foil Fliteboards, plus plenty of diving equipment, The icing on the cake is a remotely controlled submarine (ROV) able to dive to 2,700 metres. To conclude this impressive list,  Octopus  has two helipads and a helicopter hangar for two. Moving forward, helicopters will be chartered as needed.

The Voyages

Octopus  is one of the most active superyachts ever built. Multiple circumnavigations, the  Northwest Passage , the High Arctic,  Antarctica , Papua New Guinea and Challenger Deep were all on the menu. One of Paul Allen’s passions was naval history. A few missions that offered the opportunity for great discoveries were well publicised, like the discovery of the Japanese warship  Musashi  in the Sibuyan Sea in March 2015 after eight years of intense work. The largest battleship ever built (aside from her sistership) sank in October 1944, but the exact location was unknown.  OctoROV  took the first photos of this lost wreck in a depth of 1,000 metres. Later that year, in August, after two attempts, another expedition recovered the bell of HMS  Hood , sunk by the Germans off Greenland in 1941.

And it looks like the story will continue.  Octopus , according to BOAT Pro data, has already cruised 9,047 nautical miles since leaving Marseille after her refit in December. In less than three months, she had already crossed the Atlantic and visited Panama including Coiba, Costa Rica and Cocos Island and the Galápagos. This winter, Camper & Nicholsons has announced that she will be heading south to test her ice-class capabilities in the frozen landscapes of Antarctica once again.

For more information please visit: www.boatinternational.com

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Motor Yacht

Octopus is a 126.20m (414.04ft) motor yacht, custom built in 2003 and last refitted in 2008.

One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology.

Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft.

The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths.

Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.

With a permanent berth in the International Yacht Club Marina in Antibes, this giant is owned by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen. With a full-time crew of 60 including former Navy Seals, maintenance and salaries on the ship cost a rumoured $200 million. Octopus is well-known for hosting famous faces onboard its well-equipped decks, serviced only by world leaders in their fields.

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OCTOPUS Yacht Layout & GA Plans

126.2m  /  414'1   lurssen   2003 / 2024.

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126.2M LURSSEN 2003(2021)

Asking price

From 2,200,000€ per week

WELCOME ONBOARD

The 126m M/Y Octopus, an ice-class expedition yacht that can sail anywhere in the world, offers unrivaled luxury. Octopus offers a genuinely remarkable sailing experience with opulent quarters for up to 12 guests spread across three decks, including a palatial master bedroom with a private lift and observation deck. The wide swimming pool on the bridge deck can be used by visitors and changes into a sizable entertainment space with a dance floor, bar, and spa pool. The yacht also offers its visitors a cinema, glass-bottomed aquarium, gym, and wellness center. Seven tenders, two helipads, wave runners, electric foils, SUPs, kayaks, and even a ROV are among Octopus' many toys. The yacht's internal marina is a distinctive feature that distinguishes it from others.

Key features

• Arguably the most iconic & versatile megayacht in the world
• Flexible accommodation for 12 guests in 13 cabins
• Two helipads for remote exploration
• Entertainment deck with gym, spa, cinema, library and observation lounge
• Spectacular pool area with multiple bars and dining options
• Eight decks with dedicated owner's deck with private elevator
• Dive centre and hyperbaric chamber
• Unbeatable toy list including seven tenders, two helipads, a large SUV, electric foils and much more

126.2m (414' 1")

weekly rate from

2.200.000 EUr

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EXPEDITION SUPERYACHT M/Y OCTOPUS

SIMPLY ICONIC

The M/Y Octopus superyacht is a trailblazer, redefining what an expedition yacht could be.

Now available for the first time for exclusive charter, she is the perfect luxury launchpad for extraordinary adventures.

FULL SPECIFICATION

Description

The Northwest Passage, the High Arctic, Antarctica, Papua New Guinea and Challenger Deep -EYOS and the yacht Octopus have a rich history. The EYOS team is proud to have contributed expertise, logistical support, or guidance in these challenging regions during her tenure as a groundbreaking expedition yacht. Now we’re here to help intrepid explorers take Octopus in interesting new directions. Where do you dream of going? What experiences do you imagine? EYOS has the expedition credentials to bring your ‘mission’ to life.

Commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, M/Y Octopus was the largest private yacht ever when it launched in 2003. Today, she remains one of the largest private yachts in the world. Her size, however, is surpassed by the scale of her ambitions. Allen himself famously described her as “less a Bentley than a Range Rover,” because of the state-of-the-art equipment on board.

Now, her 2021 refit preserves her expedition bona fides. She boasts an ice class for polar exploring; two helipads and two helicopter garages. In her garage are 7 tenders including her powerful 54’ Delta ‘tender.’ Discover a fleet of boards, from wake and surfboards, to wind and kite surfers, even electric foil flight boards, for personal forays. And with a glass-bottom observation lounge, and a fully equipped dive center, including an ROV, make the undersea part of every expedition. Her beautiful interiors and superb amenities, with accommodations for up to 12 guests, dial up the quality of life aboard. A stylish new Beach Club opens to the sea. The bridge deck features a heated freshwater swimming pool with a retractable glass floor that raises to deck level for entertaining. Adjacent is a bar, spa pool and an open-air pizza oven.

The Octopus yacht has ranged widely. And now under private charter, she will explore the four corners of the world again.

Key Features of the Octopus Yacht

• Arguably the most iconic & versatile megayacht in the world
• Flexible accommodation for 12 guests in 13 cabins
• Two helipads for remote exploration
• Entertainment deck with gym, spa, cinema, library and observation lounge
• Spectacular pool area with multiple bars and dining options
• Eight decks with dedicated owner’s deck with private elevator
• Dive centre and hyperbaric chamber
• Unbeatable toy list including seven tenders, two helipads, a large SUV, electric foils and much more

Gross Tonnage

EXPEDITION EQUIPPED

• 4 x 2 seat Yamaha FX140 Waverunners
• 1 x Stand-up Yamaha Superjet Jet-Ski
• 2 x 2 Person Hobie Pursuit Kayaks
• 1 x 1 Person Hobie Pursuit Kayak
• 1 x 1 Person Epic V5 Kayak
• 3 x Surf Boards
• 3 x Beginner to intermediate Windsurfers
• Fishing Equipment
• Kite Surfers
• Towable Toys
• Inflatable water toys
• Scuba Diving Equipment
• Snorkelling Equipment

THE VAST WILDERNESS IS WAITING, WHERE

COULD SHE TAKE YOU?

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Chilean Patagonia

A haven for nature lovers, offering immersive experiences amidst ancient forests, pristine rivers, and secluded national parks.

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OCTOPUS Yacht – $285M Superyacht For Charter

Measuring in at an impressive length of 126.2 meters the OCTOPUS yacht is the 21st largest yacht in the world.

With an estimated worth of $285 million, her owner is currently unknown.

This stunning vessel can comfortably accommodate up to 26 guests while having a crew of 57 on hand to cater to their needs.

Powered by Mercedes Diesel engines she can reach speeds up to 20 knots.

OCTOPUS yacht interior

The OCTOPUS yacht inter offers space for up to 26 guests in 13 cabins, including a spacious owner’s cabin and deck.

A well-trained crew of up to 63 crew members provides 5-star service onboard this luxury vessel.

OCTOPUS’ interior has several bars distributed across the different decks, a fully equipped spa, a cinema, a gym, a library, and even a basketball court.

The interior was designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett, a well-known superyacht designer from Seattle, Washington.

OCTOPUS Boat Specifications

With a length of 126.20 meters (414 ft) and a beam of 21 meters (68 ft), the OCTOPUS yacht weighs in at an impressive 9,900 gross tons.

She is powered by 8 MTU engines producing a total of 19,200 hp (14,300 kW).

Her maximum speed lies at 19 knots, while her relatively slow cruising speed of 12 knots allows her to have a range of 12,500 nautical miles.

OCTOPUS is also equipped with the latest anchor and steering technology, which helps to maneuver the vessel.

OCTOPUS yacht has two helipads, one at the stern with its own hangar and one at the bow.

She has a total of seven tenders, one of which is 13 meters long and can almost be considered its own yacht.

The OCTOPUS superyacht also has two submarines on board, one of which is remotely controlled while the other can accommodate eight people.

The internal dock of the megayacht can be used to dry lay vessels of up to 20 meters for possible repairs. The mega yacht also has a large pool on deck as well as a jacuzzi and a spacious beach club.

The onboard elevator system ensures that guests and crew can move quickly between the eight decks.

For the entertainment of the guests, the yacht carries scuba diving equipment, jet skis, and other water toys.

OCTOPUS Price & Charter

The former owner of the OCTOPUS superyacht paid a price of US $200 million for the yacht in 2003 and she generates annual running costs between US $20 and 35 million.

As of 2022, OCTOPUS is available for charter for the first time ever since her launch. She costs approximately 2.2 Million Euro’s per week.

In 2022 in Summer she will be available in Central America and the Pacific while in Winter she will be in Antarctica.

For 2023 she will be located in the Mediterranean and the weekly rate is expected to remain the same.

Do you have anything to add to this listing?

• Espen Oeino
• Jonathan Quinn Barnett

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Rent a boat in Malaga

• Yacht rental
• Rent a boat in Spain

Custom Built - CIM 82 |  (2004)

From €2,857 per day.

LBV - 35 |  (2021)

From €600 per day.

astecc - 400 |  (2019)

From €320 per day.

Dubhe - DUBHE calima 495 | 1 cabin  (2019)

From €225 per day.

Málaga PartyBoat - Ecoboat |  (2024)

From €400 per day.

Aquamar - 20 |  (2020)

From €450 per day.

Beneteau - Oceanis 281 | 2 cabins  (1999)

From €429 per day.

Fairline - Targa 43 | 2 cabins  (2001)

From €1,350 per day.

LA BELLA VERDE - LBV35 |  (2021)

LA BELLA VERDE - 35 | 2 cabins  (2021)

BARCO PRIVADO - PARA AVISTAMIENTO DE DELFINES | 1 cabin  (2019)

From €330 per day.

OLBAP - TR5 |  (2024)

Voraz - Voraz 500 | 1 cabin  (2022)

From €340 per day.

From €700 per day

LBV - 35 | 2 cabins  (2021)

LBV - 35 | 4 cabins  (2021)

ALESTA MARINE - MARLIN |  (2023)

Yacht rental in Malaga with Scansail

Malaga is one of the most beautiful sailing destinations in the world, and it's no surprise that people come from all over to experience the thrill of sailing on its stunning coastlines. This gorgeous city is located on the southern coast of Spain in the famous Costa del Sol region. If you’re looking for a destination that has it all, look no further than this vibrant Spanish city. With a yacht rental in Malaga, you can glide along the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, sunbathe on some of the best beaches in Europe and experience a vibrant culture that will leave you breathless. While on land you can visit famous historical landmarks like the medieval castle of Gibralfaro or the Moorish fortification of Alcazaba. When you’ve had your fill of history you can visit one of Malaga’s world-class marinas and take in the stunning sight of the sea and city.

If you want to experience a sailing trip like no other, start planning your Malaga yacht rental with Scansail.

How much does it cost to rent a yacht in Malaga?

The price of a boat charter in Malaga is different based on a number of factors such as the time of year, how many people are on board the vessel and of course, the size and type of vessel you choose. Below are some average prices of a Malaga yacht charter by boat type.

 €4,865/week for 10 people.

€375/day in the high season and €275/day in the low season for 6 people.

€430/day for 12 people.

€8,000/week for 12 people.

€550/day for 2 people.

€4,598/week for 10 people.

What is the best time of year for a boat charter in Malaga?

The best time to embark on a boat charter in Malaga is between May and October when the weather is at its warmest and the precipitation levels are low. The hottest averages are in the summer with 28°C in July and August however, it’s still warm enough to swim in the winter! That’s right, Malaga is warm and sunny year-round and if you want to avoid crowds we recommend visiting in May or September. It will be slightly cooler at around 23°C, but you can still go for a swim and you’ll get better deals on Malaga yacht rentals.

What can I see and do while on a yacht charter in Malaga?

There’s a reason that Malaga is one of Spain’s most sought-after sailing destinations—and that’s because there’s so much to see and do! Whether you want a lazy beach day or a cultural excursion, you’ll find what you’re looking for in this spectacular city. Here are some of our favourite activities to add to your Malaga sailing itinerary.

• Visit the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castles: These two ancient fortresses sit atop a hill overlooking Malaga city and offer stunning views of the surrounding area. The Alcazaba was built by the Moorish rulers of Spain in the 11th century, while the Gibralfaro was added later on by the Christian king, Alfonso XI. Visitors can explore the remains of both castles, including their extensive gardens and ramparts.
• Stroll around El Palo: This traditional fishing village is located just east of Malaga city and makes for a pleasant day trip. Wander around the village's narrow streets, stop for some seafood at one of its many restaurants and enjoy views of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Sail to Isla de Graciosa: Just off the coast of Malaga is Isla de Graciosa, a small island that makes for a great day trip. While on the island you can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of its sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
• Visit La Concepción botanical gardens: Located just outside of Malaga city centre, these gardens are home to over 5,000 species of plants and flowers from all over the world.
• Explore Malaga's Old Town: The Old Town is one of the best places to see in Malaga if you're interested in its history and culture. Walk around its winding streets, visit its museums and churches and soak up views of its beautiful architecture.
• Take a day trip: Head to nearby destinations like Granada, Seville and Ronda. If you have time, you can even visit Gilbraltar!
• Soak up the sun on one of Malaga’s beaches: Playa de la Malagueta is a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming, while El Palo is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Other iconic beaches include Playa de los Locos, El Chorro and La Barrosa.
• Go scuba diving: Try your luck at El Chorrillo de Marbella. This incredible dive spot is full of vibrant colours from the surrounding coral reef and is home to an abundance of unique species such as moray eels, cuttlefish, crabs and barracudas. For more experienced divers, head over to Cala de Mijas and explore its many underwater caves and tunnels. This spectacular spot offers a great opportunity to observe all kinds of marine life up close, including sea bass, moray eels, octopus and much more. You'll even find some amazing wrecks from World War II!

Should I have a skipper on board my private yacht rental in Malaga?

Our large fleet of yacht rentals in Malaga includes both skippered vessels as well as those without a skipper, so you can find the perfect one for your boat trip. Even if you have a licence to sail we always recommend a skippered vessel for a more relaxing and worry-free holiday. Skippers will handle all of the logistics like docking, anchoring and sailing the vessel so you can spend more time with the ones that you love. The best part about having a skipper present is the fact that they are usually locals, so they can give you recommendations and help you see everything on your travel itinerary, and more.

So, what are you waiting for? Sail in the capable hands of a skipper and allow them to be your private tour guide around Malaga.

What type of boat should I choose for my Malaga yacht rental?

While browsing the Scansail website, you might be wondering which type of boat you should choose for your yacht rental in Malaga, and the answer to this will depend on the amount of time you plan to be out on the water. For a shorter holiday of less than a week, you shouldn’t need more than a RIB or a motorboat, which are usually chartered by the day. A longer holiday of a week or more will require more amenities and accommodations, such as a kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Catamarans and yachts are spacious vessels usually rented by the week, perfect for a longer holiday with family and friends. For people who like sailing for sport, we’d recommend a sailboat. If you’re a novice sailor but still want an authentic sailing experience, a skippered sailboat is a fantastic option.

Find the perfect vessel for your sailing trip in Malaga with Scansail, and have the holiday of a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions about Málaga

How much does it typically cost to charter a boat in málaga during peak and off-peak seasons.

During the high season in Málaga, the average daily rental cost for a boat is around €673, while in the low season, it's approximately €609.

Are boats available for rent with a skipper in Málaga?

In Málaga, you have the option to charter a boat with a skipper through Scansail. They offer 6 boats in Málaga with skippers, though please note there is an additional fee of approximately €142 per day.

Can you rent a boat in Málaga if you don't have a license?

In Málaga, you can rent one of 5 boats without a license.

Which boat brands are popular choices in Málaga?

The top boat brands in Málaga are Barracuda and Lagoon.

What length do boats typically have in Málaga?

The typical boat length in Málaga is 8 meters.

Charter a boat near Málaga

In Málaga, privately owned yachts are available for charter. See other yachts in the area.

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On Luxurious Ibiza, Essential Workers Are Forced to Live in Tent Cities

The Spanish island fills beachfront hotels and glittering dance clubs with wealthy tourists. But its teachers, firefighters and police officers can’t find a place to live.

By Benjamin Cunningham

At 1,900 euros a month, the rent was not cheap. But Alicia Bocuñano still felt fortunate to find an apartment on Ibiza at that price. As a taxi driver pulling 16-hour days, Ms. Bocuñano, a single mother who grew up on this Spanish island, figured that a surplus from the busy summer months might be enough to make the rent.

But her would-be landlord wanted six months of rent plus a security deposit up front — close to €14,000, or about $15,300, in one shot. Though not quite legal in Spain’s tightly regulated rental sector, such demands are common on Ibiza, where wealthy tourists fill beachfront hotels and glittering dance clubs while the people who work in those places — not to mention the island’s teachers, firefighters and other essential workers — can’t find a place to live.

In lieu of a new apartment, Ms. Bocuñano, 38, spent a frightening two weeks sleeping in her car, then three months in a tent with her 10-year-old son, Raúl, by her side, before buying a used caravan in June. For a couple of months, she stationed the Caravelair-brand trailer in Can Rova, an ad hoc village of tents, shacks and campers on the outskirts of Ibiza Town, the island’s capital, just behind a dealership selling expensive powerboats. “When we first came here it was cold,” she said. “Like, very cold.”

Tent cities began popping up here in 2023, but they have mushroomed in size and number this year. Can Rova, the largest of three major camps in and around the capital, was home to some 280 people this summer. On a recent July night, six people and a dog were bedding down on the floor in Ms. Bocuñano’s caravan.

Many Can Rova residents said that, with nowhere else to go, they hoped to stay indefinitely. But on July 31, the police made good on a court order to clear the camp, which had been erected on private land. (The owner is currently embroiled in an array of zoning and legal disputes.) Many said they planned to relocate to one of the other camps, even as those sites lacked the electricity, water and perimeter fence that made Can Rova accommodating.

Ms. Bocuñano was detained by the police during the mass eviction, and may face a fine.

In much of the world, homelessness correlates with a lack of work. But not on Ibiza, where the jobs are plentiful and the booming tourism sector depends on itinerant workers (with varying immigration status). Though seasonal labor has long strained the housing supply for a few months each year, the shortage now looks more structural.

“People who work every day to care for their children have no place to live,” Ms. Bocuñano said.

The rise of remote work and a surge in short-term rentals have erased many apartments from the market, compounding existing shortages caused by land-use restrictions on an island prized for its natural beauty, and by poor public policy that followed the burst of Spain’s housing bubble in 2008.

“It is fundamental,” said Carme Trilla, an economist and former director of housing policy for Catalonia, the Spanish region on “the peninsula,” as islanders are wont to say. “By definition they have to live there, and it’s not only price but also availability that is a problem.”

Ibiza’s deepening housing crisis came slowly at first, and then all at once. The island’s brand — “sun, beaches, nightlife,” as one broker put it — blossomed in the 1960s and ’70s as bohemians congregated on this Balearic Island. The flower children gave way to disco, and bell bottoms were pushed off the dance floor in the 1980s and 1990s by rave culture. By the 2000s, Ibiza had secured its reputation as a mecca for electronic music and luxury escapism.

“It is the only place in the world where you can see the top DJs in the world in top venues every night,” said Yann Pissenem, C.E.O. and owner of the Night League, parent company to Ushuaia and Hi, two of the island’s hottest clubs.

The island’s year-round population of 160,000 is double what it was 20 years ago and growing. During peak summer months, more than a million people make merry on the island at any given time, with upscale tourism putting still more pressure on housing.

Ibiza is an extreme example of a larger phenomenon in Spain, where about 12 percent of the gross domestic product comes from tourism. A recent report found that in 306 cities and towns considered tourism draws, rents are an average of 75 percent higher than the national average — the largest gap ever. Already this summer, thousands of protesters have turned up in other vacation spots including Malaga, Mallorca and the Canary Islands to demonstrate against the excesses of tourism.

Ms. Trilla, who now runs Habitat 3, a foundation that works to facilitate subsidized housing, said that on Ibiza, the crisis has been intensified by a new spate of discount airline connections to European capitals, and by more online platforms renting apartments to foreign visitors. The median price for a home on the island is now €558 a square foot — three times the national average and more than double the average in Madrid and Barcelona.

Three-quarters of prospective buyers on Ibiza are looking for a second home, while another 15 percent want an investment property, said Paloma Pérez Bravo, C.E.O. of Sotheby’s International Realty in Spain. So on an island with inadequate housing and limited buildable land, many homes sit vacant for much of the year. And since the pandemic, she added, there’s been more demand from buyers who want to live on the island year-round. “Ibiza is a good investment because the prices never stop rising,” Ms. Pérez said.

On a recent afternoon just before the demolition at Can Rova, residents related stories of crammed studio apartments where people would sleep in shifts on so-called “hot beds” for about €300 a month.

Maria Fernanda Chica, a 34-year-old Colombian who is awaiting working papers, lived in one such apartment while cleaning luxury homes for cash. “I couldn’t cook food when I needed to,” she said of the conditions. “At best I could use the kitchen once per day.”

This summer, she was living in a makeshift structure in Can Rova with her partner and teenage son. Most of the residents there rented plots for between €350 and €450 a month, plus €50 euros for water and another €50 for electricity. The residents were responsible for digging their own septic systems. A good number had built shanties from plywood, shipping pallets, AstroTurf, tarpaulins and other basic materials.

Jonathan Sanchez, 33, and his girlfriend Sandra Velasquez, 41, sleep in a tent among a few dozen others in another informal settlement. Mr. Sanchez, who was born on Ibiza, works construction by day. Ms. Velasquez, a Colombian émigré lacking work documents, works nights cleaning for €7 an hour.

“I don’t even remember the last time I went to the beach,” said Mr. Sanchez on a recent night. His T-shirt said “Ants” — the name of the party that Mr. Pissenem hosts on Saturdays.

The couple charge their mobile phones at bus stops and draw water from a tap in a nearby cemetery. Most of their neighbors are seasonal workers from Morocco who decamp after the summer season. Mr. Sanchez has been in his tent for 14 months. His co-workers have no idea where he lives. “It’s not that I am embarrassed,” he said. “I just don’t want people to feel sorry for me.”

Whenever campers like Mr. Sanchez are forced to move on, the Guardia Civil, one of Spain’s two national police forces, will likely play a role (as they did in the Can Rova eviction). But many of the officers are themselves caught in this housing crisis. At the height of tourist season, there were 17 vacant Guardia Civil positions on Ibiza. Many new recruits avoid work on the island and rotate out when they can find an opening elsewhere in Spain, said Tomas Quesada, a Guardia Civil officer and union representative. Starting salaries are just €1,800 a month, and the monthly €94.63 cost-of-living bonus makes little difference.

“It is leading to the desertification of public services,” Mr. Quesada said. “We have the right to be able to live.”

Nurses and doctors face a similar reality. So do teachers, some of whom commute daily by airplane from other islands to save money. “We don’t have the same level of public services here in Ibiza,” said Joana Tur Planells, a union representative for teachers.

Land will always be limited on a 220-square-mile island, but there is an emerging consensus that government intervention is needed. In the town of Santa Eulària des Riu, where Can Rova was located, City Hall plans to allocate 54,000 square feet of public land for housing construction over the next few years. Policy documents call for increased emphasis on the construction of multifamily dwellings and a crackdown on illegal short-term rentals.

Carmen Ferrer Torres, Santa Eulalia des Riu’s conservative mayor, points to plans to break ground on the construction of 60 smaller rental apartments — a fraction of the units needed to ease the strain.

“These are important, urgent problems with solutions that will take longer than we have,” the mayor said. In the meantime, her party also advocates further liberalizing rental markets, betting that streamlined evictions for scofflaws could free up stagnant housing stock. Ms. Ferrer was on site supporting the July 31 clearance of Can Rova.

But for Ms. Trilla, the housing economist, the big picture solution is clear. “It’s necessary to prioritize public housing for essential workers,” she said, adding that the problem is not just housing but the price of land. Basically, public money is needed to buy private property at market prices.

She pointed to a series of policies in Barcelona, the Catalonian capital, that might ease short-term housing supply, including one that would temporarily loosen zoning rules so officials could break up single-family homes into multiple apartments. Barcelona is also phasing out short-term rentals of the type offered by platforms like Airbnb. They will be virtually banned by 2028.

On the private side, successful business owners like Mr. Pissenem, the club impresario, are wrestling with the crisis. His company has begun helping its seasonal workers find accommodations. “We all need to figure out a way to help the people that hold the island in their hands,” he said.

For now, Ibizans like Ms. Bocuñano wonder where their next home may be. For the first couple of nights after the Can Rova raid, she stayed on a friend’s couch. Her son is staying with her mother on the other side of the island. She was briefly allowed back in to Can Rova to get her personal possessions, including her caravan, but needed to borrow a vehicle to tow it.

From there, she said, “I am going to recover and put the pieces back together.”

The State of Real Estate

Whether you’re renting, buying or selling, here’s a look at real estate trends..

An Amagansett ‘Happy Place’:  Raising three children in Hoboken, N.J., Joan and Kyle Enger always looked forward to summer at the beach in New York. A renovation turned it into their ideal summer home .

A New Set of Rules:  Real estate agents across the country have begun following new practices on how commissions are paid . Buyers and even some agents aren’t sure what the changes mean .

Ask Real Estate:   When can you alter a landmark building  (and when can’t you)?

Renters :  A Florida woman was determined to find the birth family she had never known she had . The trail led to the New York area, where she and her girlfriend now live.

The Fix: How hard is it to frame your own artwork? We asked the experts for some shortcuts  — because “budgets don’t always allow for a professional framer.”