When to rent a boat on the Costa Brava: the season month by month

When should you rent a boat on the Costa Brava? It depends on what you are after: warm water for swimming, quiet coves or the lowest price. The short answer is June and September, but every month has something to offer. Here are the sea temperature, typical weather, crowds and prices through the season, month by month, for trips from Port Marina Palamós.

The short answer

• June and September: the water is already good for swimming, there are fewer boats in the coves and prices are lower than in high summer.
• July and August: the warmest water and the full summer atmosphere, but also the highest rates and the busiest coves.
• May and October: good for sailing and enjoying the coast at a gentle pace; swimming only for those who do not mind cool water.
• November to March: the published rates for most boats do not cover these months. If you have a specific date in mind, ask us.

Sea temperature, month by month

The best local reference is the L’Estartit observatory, north of Palamós, where the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (CSIC), Spain’s Institute of Marine Sciences, has been measuring sea temperature since 1974. According to its data, the average surface temperature from 1998 to 2017 was roughly:

• April: about 14 °C.
• May: about 16 °C.
• June: about 20 °C.
• July: about 22 °C.
• August: about 23 °C.
• September: about 21 or 22 °C.
• October: about 19 °C.
• November to March: from about 17 °C in November to about 13 °C in February and March.

These are averages: any given year can be a degree or two above or below, and recent years have been warmer. In July 2025 the L’Estartit observatory recorded a record 26.8 °C, and in the first half of October 2025 the water was close to 22 °C, almost two degrees above normal.

Month by month

April and May

The season gets under way. The Absolute 45, for example, is available from April to October, and several motorboats have rates from May. The water is still cool, between 14 and 16 °C, so these are months for cruising, seeing the coast without the crowds and having lunch at anchor rather than spending the day in the water. The coves are almost empty and prices are at their lowest.

Keep an eye on the forecast: according to sailing schools, the levante, an easterly that brings a swell, is more frequent from autumn to spring.

June

For many, the best month. The water averages around 20 °C, the days are the longest of the year and, on weekdays, the coves are quiet. Prices go up a step, but are still a long way off August’s.

The buoy fields also operate in season. According to Palafrugell’s 2026 coastal use plan, its paid buoy fields run from 16 May to 30 September. The free daytime buoy fields in Palamós and Palafrugell, designed to protect the Posidonia (seagrass), have operated in previous seasons from 15 June to 15 September. In buoy fields you tie up to a mooring buoy rather than dropping anchor.

July and August

The water is at its warmest, averaging between 22 and 23 °C. On the other hand, these are the most expensive months, with the most boats in the best-known coves. Three examples of the price difference, per boat per day:

• Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 CC: from 764 € the rest of the season and 1,076 € in July and August.
• Nuva M6 Open: from 362 €, and 510 € in July and August.
• Llaüt Pascual 25 pams ‘Maria’, full day: from 215 € in low season and 275 € in high season.

The wind that shapes the day is the garbí. According to the official guide ‘Cales i ports de la Costa Brava’, it is a south-westerly breeze that picks up from midday, and the entrance to Port Marina Palamós faces south, so it pays to head back with time to spare. The practical approach is to set off early and do the furthest swims in the morning, as on the coves route from Palamós. Watch out, too, for summer thunderstorms, which can bring sudden strong gusts.

September

The other great month. The water is still warm, averaging about 21 or 22 °C, because the sea is slow to cool, while crowds and prices drop. The days are getting shorter, so plan to return earlier than in July. As autumn advances, days of levante and swell become more likely.

October

The end of the season for many boats. The water averages around 19 °C, still fine for a quick dip on sunny days, and low-season rates apply. With shorter days, a half-day trip or a sunset boat trip works well, as sunset comes early at this time of year.

November to March

According to the official harbour guide, the tramontana, a strong northerly, dominates in winter and can blow hard for days. The water drops to about 13 °C and most listings have no rates for these months. If you would like to go out then, write to us and we will tell you what is available.

How prices change through the season

Several listings have three price tiers: low, mid and high season. The Calion 197 listing, for example, publishes these daily rates for 2027:

• 11 May to 7 June: 280 €.
• 8 June to 5 July: 330 €.
• 6 July to 25 August: 400 €.
• 26 August to 30 September: 330 €.

In other words, choosing late August or September instead of high summer brings the day down from 400 € to 330 €. Prices are per boat, VAT included. All boat types are compared in how much it costs to rent a boat in Palamós.

Tips for choosing your date

• If swimming is the priority, aim for late June, July, August or the first half of September.
• If you want quiet coves, choose June or September, ideally on a weekday.
• If budget comes first, May, June, September and October have the lowest rates.
• Whatever the month, check the forecast the evening before and again that morning. We explain how in tramontana, levante and garbí.

From 1 October 2026 you need at least the Licencia de Navegación (the basic Spanish boating licence) to skipper a rental boat yourself. If you do not have it, go out with a skipper.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to rent a boat on the Costa Brava?

June and September: the water averages between 20 and 22 °C, it is less crowded than in August and prices are lower.

Is the water warm enough for swimming in June?

Yes, for most people. The June average is around 20 °C and rises through the month. In early June it can be cooler.

Can you rent a boat in October?

Yes, several boats are still available in October, at low-season rates. The water averages around 19 °C and the days are shorter.

How far in advance should I book for August?

The sooner the better, as it is the busiest period. Under our terms, you can cancel free of charge up to 30 days before departure.

Already have a date? Write to us via the contact page with the month, the number of people and your licence, and we will tell you which boats fit and what the day will cost.