Cala Canyelles, the northernmost marina in Lloret de Mar, shelters a fleet of privately chartered vessels ranging from eight-metre motor launches to fourteen-metre catamarans, most equipped with shade canopies and swim ladders.
The anchorage itself dates to the 1970s expansion of Costa Brava tourism infrastructure, but the tradition of local boat hire predates that era — fishermen from Lloret and neighboring Tossa de Mar rented day-use dinghies to holidaymakers as early as the 1950s, a practice that evolved into today's skippered charter market.
Modern Lloret de Mar private boat hire addresses a specific segment: visitors seeking access to cliff-backed calas — Cala Boadella, Cala Pola, Cala Giverola — that remain unreachable by road and poorly served by scheduled ferries. A private charter eliminates the fixed timetables and crowded decks of group cruises, allowing flexible itineraries, unhurried swimming stops, and the option to anchor in secluded bays during peak midday hours when coastal trails fill with hikers. Skippers, nearly all lifelong Costa Brava mariners, navigate the rocky headlands and advise on wind patterns, tide cycles, and the safest entry points for shallow-draft vessels.
The most requested routes trace the thirteen-kilometer stretch between Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar, a shoreline studded with thirty-two named coves and punctuated by the Punta de la Tordera lighthouse. Half-day charters typically cover four to six stops; full-day itineraries extend north to Sant Feliu de Guíxols or south to Blanes, depending on prevailing sea conditions. Catamarans, favored for group charters of six to twelve passengers, offer stable platforms for onboard barbecues and shaded lounging areas. Motor yachts, faster and more maneuverable, suit couples or small families prioritizing range over deck space. Most operators include snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and a skipper-prepared cooler; catering, alcohol packages, and sunset timing carry upcharges detailed at booking.
Cala Canyelles marina operates daily from 10:00 to 19:00 between April and October, with reduced winter availability dependent on weather windows. Morning departures between 10:00 and 13:00 encounter calmer seas — the westerly Garbi wind typically strengthens after 14:00, increasing chop in open water. Charter durations range from two-hour cove samplers to eight-hour expeditions; pricing scales with vessel size, season, and passenger count, not with distance covered.
4 hr
