Zahara de los Atunes by boat, with a skipper
Zahara de los Atunes has no marina, so any boat trip to Zahara de los Atunes has to set off from the nearest one: Barbate marina, about 15 minutes away by car and about 5 miles by sea. From there we sail our Bavaria 36 towards Zahara on all our trips.
Seen from the water, Zahara is a ribbon of sand several kilometres long, with the white village in the middle, the Sierra de la Plata behind it and, to the south, the coves of Atlanterra and the Camarinal lighthouse. It’s our favourite stretch of coast for watching the sunset: the sun drops into the Atlantic right in front of you.
All our trips are private: you hire the whole boat for your group, up to 7 people, and the skipper takes care of the sailing.
The sailing route from Barbate to Zahara
A short route that packs a lot in. We sail it on the sunset trip, on the half day and as the first leg of the full day towards Tarifa.
Barbate bay
We leave the marina, hoist the sails and leave the mouth of the Barbate river behind.
Zahara beach
We sail parallel to the beach, past the village and the remains of the old Palacio de las Almadrabas.
Atlanterra and Cabo de Plata
With more time, we carry on to the coves of Atlanterra, Los Alemanes beach and the Camarinal lighthouse.
Back to Barbate
We sail back, with the sun going down over the horizon if it’s the sunset trip.
What you’ll see from the sailboat off Zahara
Sunset over the Atlantic
The Zahara coast faces west: the sun sets right ahead of the boat, with nothing blocking the horizon.
The village and its beach
Eight kilometres of almost untouched sand, with the white houses of Zahara and the Sierra de la Plata behind.
The almadraba
In spring, the buoys and nets of the almadraba off the coast, a way of fishing for tuna that has been practised here for centuries.
The coves of Atlanterra
Clear water over sand and rock near Cabo de Plata, good for anchoring and swimming on calm days.
trips to Zahara
Which trip to choose to see Zahara
from€245
Sunset sailing trip
From Barbate
We sail off Zahara in the evening light and head back as the sun sinks into the Atlantic.
from€420
Half-day sailboat charter
From Barbate
The Barbate cliffs, Caños de Meca and a stop at anchor in calm water for a swim.
from€750
Full day and charter
From Barbate
Head for Trafalgar and Conil or for Bolonia and Tarifa, with lunch on board and stops for a swim.
When to sail off Zahara
The best season runs from May to October. In summer the days are long, the water is warmer for swimming and sunset comes after 9.30pm.
Zahara is famous for its wind. With a poniente, the sea off the beach is usually fine for sailing and the trip is very pleasant. When a strong levante blows, the area near the Strait gets tricky, so we’ll suggest another time, another route or a different date.
Spring is almadraba season, the age-old tuna-fishing technique that gives the village its name. During those months you’ll see the marked nets off the coast, and we adapt our sailing to keep clear of them.
Getting to the boat from Zahara
- Boarding pointBarbate marina
- Distance by carAbout 10 km, around 15 minutes
- Distance by seaAbout 5 miles
- Exact locationWe’ll send you the pontoon details when we confirm your booking
Questions about boat trips to Zahara
Can’t find your answer?
Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll reply within 24 hours.
Can I hire a boat that leaves from Zahara de los Atunes?
Zahara has no marina. The nearest one is in Barbate, about 15 minutes away by car, and that’s where our trips to Zahara set off from.
How much does a boat trip in Zahara cost?
The sunset sailboat trip off Zahara costs €245 for the whole boat, or €35 per person with a group of 7. The half day costs €420 and the full day €750.
Can we swim off Zahara?
Yes. On half-day and full-day trips we anchor in a calm spot for a swim, depending on the wind.
Do I need a licence?
No. Every trip comes with a skipper.
boat hire in Zahara
Boat hire in Zahara de los Atunes with skipper
Boat hire in Zahara de los Atunes starts at Barbate Marina, just 5 miles from Zahara beach. Choose the sunset sail (€245), the half-day charter (€420) or the full day (€750) on a private sailboat for up to 7 guests.
Your skipper holds an official nautical licence, the sailboat is cleared for charter and fully insured (liability and passenger cover), and our guests rate us 5 stars on Google.
Zahara from the sea
Why see Zahara de los Atunes from a sailboat
From the water you see Zahara as few visitors do: the long golden beach, the village and the Sierra de la Plata behind Atlanterra. The sunset sail is the most popular way to enjoy it.
How to book
Send us a WhatsApp or use the contact form with the date, the trip and the number of guests. We reply quickly and confirm availability and payment. Please arrive about 15 minutes before departure at Barbate Marina; we send you the exact pontoon location when you book.
more coastline
Other destinations from Barbate
Caños de Meca and Trafalgar
Conil de la Frontera
Tarifa and the Strait
Zahara from the sea
Book your boat trip to Zahara
Tell us the date and how many of you there are, and we’ll suggest the best trip to Zahara de los Atunes.
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