Marriage proposal on a boat on the Costa Brava
A marriage proposal on a boat on the Costa Brava works best when it is simple: a private boat, a quiet cove near Palamós and nobody else around. The key is to prepare the details without your partner suspecting a thing. Here is which boat to choose, when to do it and how to organise it discreetly.
Which boat to choose
Private yacht with a skipper
The Sunseeker Camargue 50 and the Absolute 45 always come with a skipper. You just focus on your partner; the skipper handles the boat, finds the anchorage and stays in the background. From €2,200 a day. See our yacht charter page.
Sailboat or gozzo with a skipper
The Sun Odyssey 40 and the Gozzo Positano 32 Open always come with a skipper, and the Bénéteau Oceanis 37 can have one. A sailboat under sail, with the engine off, creates a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. Sailboats from €245.
Llaüt, if you skipper it yourself
A llaüt is intimate and very much part of local life, but it is rented without a skipper: you need a licence and will have to keep an eye on the boat. The electric llaüt, silent and fume-free, is a rare option on the Costa Brava. Llaüts from €215; the electric one, price on request.
The moment and the place
- Where. The coves between Castell and Cala Estreta, in the Castell–Cap Roig natural area, are all pines and rock, with no buildings. They are quieter first thing in the morning or late in the day.
- When. The last hour of daylight is the most beautiful. In summer the sun sets behind the land, so what you will see is the coast turning golden and the sky glowing over the Gavarres hills. We explain it in our sunset boat trip.
- With the boat stopped. Anchored on sand or moored, with the engine off. Talking over a running engine just doesn’t work.
How to organise it discreetly
- Book from your personal email, not from an account your partner shares.
- Tell us it is a surprise via our contact page. That way we will bear it in mind in every message.
- A believable excuse: a boat trip to celebrate something, nothing more.
- Talk to the skipper beforehand: when you want to do it and whether you need them to step away for a few minutes.
- Have a back-up day. If the sea is rough, it is better to change the date than to improvise.
Keeping the ring safe
A ring that goes overboard does not come back. Keep it in a zipped pocket or in its box inside a bag, and only take it out with the boat stopped and well away from the side.
Photos, flowers or cava
These are not included. If you would like to bring a photographer, flowers or something to toast with, tell us when you book and we will let you know what each boat allows and how many places there are.
Prices
Starting prices per boat per day, VAT included: motorboats from €170, llaüts from €215, RIBs from €230, sailboats from €245 and skippered yachts from €2,200. Prices are higher in July and August. On motorboats fuel is usually paid separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent the boat for just a few hours?
It depends on the boat. Ask us and we will tell you which ones offer shorter trips.
Will the skipper be there at the moment itself?
They stay on board, as it is their responsibility, but they can keep a low profile. Mention it to them beforehand.
Do I need a licence?
Only if you skipper the boat yourself: from 1 October 2026, at least the Licencia de Navegación. With a skipper you don’t need one.
Choose your boat from the list and book online on its page, or tell us your idea via our contact page. We will keep it a secret.