BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide

Boat rental in Valencia and the Albufera coast

Hire a boat in Valencia: the Olympic marina, Malvarrosa beaches, the Albufera coast and El Saler. Budgets, boat types and practical wind tips.

Valencia sails from the Marina de Valencia, the former America's Cup base, a short step from the centre. The coast here is straighter than elsewhere on the Spanish Mediterranean: long sandy beaches, a hinterland of rice fields and the great Albufera lagoon just to the south. It is sailing of space and light, ideal for an easy day out from a major city rather than a hunt for hidden coves. The reward is a laid-back day on the water, with the city skyline behind you and plenty of room to swim, sunbathe or simply drift while the children splash off the swim platform.

From the Marina de Valencia

The port of Valencia opens straight onto the Malvarrosa and Patacona beaches, lined with promenade and paella restaurants. Once outside, the water is wide and uncluttered: perfect for finding your feet, swimming offshore or reaching south along the shore. Entering and leaving the harbour is simple, with no tricky passage, which is reassuring on a first outing.

The Albufera coast

Heading south, you skirt El Saler and the Devesa, the belt of dunes and pines that separates the sea from the vast Albufera lagoon. From the water the coast stays wild and barely built up, with long beaches where you can anchor calmly in a westerly. The lagoon itself is explored separately, by traditional flat-bottomed boat at sunset: most operators limit coastal cruising to the seaward strip, outside the protected lake and its nature park.

Which boat, what budget

With no island to aim for, the point is to enjoy the water and the beaches. A RIB (200 to 600 €/day) is ideal for swimming and towed toys; a day-cruiser (250 to 900 €/day) adds comfort for the day. For a quieter, sail-powered outing, a sailboat often rents for 300 to 700 €/day. Depending on the platform, the same boat varies by 10 to 25 %: Boat-Comparator compares SamBoat, Click&Boat, GlobeSailor and Boataround live, service fees of 0 to 9 % included.

City and food

Valencia has the rare knack of pairing sea and big city: the City of Arts and Sciences, the old Carmen quarter and the markets are worth a day ashore between outings. At the table, this is the birthplace of paella, born precisely in the rice fields of the Albufera. Many outings run on into the evening to catch the low light on the coast and return to port at dusk.

Wind and timing

Mornings are usually calmest. In the afternoon the east-north-east sea breeze builds and raises a chop on this open coast; head back before it stiffens. From May to September the water is warm and the beaches welcoming. Book early in summer and check the cancellation policy, which varies by owner, before you pay.

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