Hiring a boat in Palamós: a practical guide to planning your day
Palamós has something that neither Roses nor Blanes has: it is a genuine working fishing port, with the fish auction running every afternoon, and at the same time it sits right in the middle of the best stretch of the Costa Brava. From here, in under an hour at sea, you can reach anywhere from S’Agaró to Begur. This is the practical guide to planning your day.
Where you leave from
From Port Esportiu Marina Palamós, right in the town. There is parking nearby, although in July and August it is worth arriving with time to spare. Boats are handed over at the pontoon, with the deposit according to each boat’s terms.
Which boat to choose
The real question is not “which is the best” but “how many of you are there and what do you want to do”.
- 4 or 5 of you and one has the Licencia de Navegación: a traditional 5-metre llaüt. You go at an easy pace, anchor in the nearby coves and need nothing more. If nobody has a licence, go out with a skipper.
- You want to get around and go far: a RIB. With a powerful engine you can reach Aiguablava or the Medes without the whole day going on the trip.
- You are a large group or want comfort: a boat with a cabin and a swim platform, with or without a skipper.
- You are after peace and quiet: an electric llaüt. No noise, no fumes, at a leisurely pace.
If you are not sure which licence each one requires, we explain it in this licence guide.
The wind, which calls the shots here
Two winds shape the day on this coast:
The tramontana comes in from the north, dry and gusty, and can get up very quickly. In a tramontana, coves facing north and north-east become uncomfortable: you need to look for shelter to the south (S’Agaró, Sa Conca).
The garbí is the south-westerly breeze that usually arrives mid-afternoon in summer. It is gentler, but it kicks up a slight chop and makes the afternoon return to harbour bumpier than the trip out.
A simple tip: check the forecast before setting off and plan your course so the wind is behind you on the way back, not on the way out.
Anchorages, in order of distance
| Destination | From Palamós | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Cala S’Alguer | ~15-20 min | Short stop, photos, swimming |
| Castell beach | ~20 min | Whole day, sand, good holding |
| Illes Formigues | ~30 min | Snorkelling |
| Calella and Llafranc | ~40 min | Lunch ashore |
| Aiguablava / Fornells | ~1 h | The bluest water |
| S’Agaró / Sa Conca | ~30 min south | Shelter in a tramontana |
You will find the coves described one by one in this article.
Anchoring without wrecking the seabed
The Posidonia (seagrass) meadows are a protected seabed and are exactly what keeps the water on this coast so clear. Always anchor on sand: it is easy to spot from above because the bottom looks light and uniform, while Posidonia shows up as dark patches. An anchor dug into Posidonia rips out a plant that takes decades to recover, and it holds worse too.
What to bring
- A cool box with ice and more water than you think you will drink.
- Sun cream and something to cover up with: at sea the sun hits twice as hard.
- Mask and snorkel. You will use them at the Formigues.
- Shoes that can get wet and a waterproof bag for your phone and documents.
- No glass on board if you have children with you.
When to come
June and September are the best months: the water is already warm, the coves are quiet and prices are lower than in August. July and August have the most reliable weather but also the biggest crowds — set off early and you will win the day. May and October are perfect if what you are after is cruising rather than swimming.
See the full fleet or tell us your plan and we will tell you which boat fits.