Reviewed · COSTA DEL SOL BOAT RENTALS WITHOUT A LICENCE
FourWinns HD240 boat rental for 10 people 4 hours
The best part of this outing is the freedom to set your own pace along the coast between Marina del Este and Maro-Cerro Gordo. You can cruise, stop for a swim, snorkel, or use the included water toys instead of following a fixed sightseeing schedule. I like the private group setup for up to 10 people, and I like that the Four Winns HD240 gives you a proper sports boat rather than a basic harbor ride.
The main catch is the extra cost of gasoline, which is not included in the group price. You also need to check the booking terms carefully: one set of information says cancellation at least five days ahead may qualify for a refund, while the formal policy says the booking is non-refundable except when bad weather cancels the outing.
Key points at a glance
- Four-hour private boat rental: The price of $733.69 covers a group of up to 10 people, not each individual passenger.
- Maro-Cerro Gordo coast: Your route can take in the striking coastal area near Nerja and La Herradura.
- Water fun included: Snorkeling equipment and water toys are provided, with donut riding, water skiing, and wakeboarding possible.
- Captain available: If you do not have the required qualifications, you can arrange a captain rather than skip the trip.
- Morning departure: Meet at Alborán Náutica & Charters in Marina del Este at 10:00 a.m.
- Fuel is extra: Budget for gasoline on top of the advertised group price.
Setting out from Marina del Este at 10:00 a.m.

You meet at Alborán Náutica & Charters in Puerto Deportivo Marina del Este, on Avenida Marina del Este in La Herradura. The marina is the practical starting point for this coast because it puts you close to the water around La Herradura, Almuñécar, Nerja, and Maro.
The advertised start time is 10:00 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point. That makes the outing easy to plan around a morning on the boat, with no need to arrange a separate return from another port.
Before leaving, you should expect an introduction to the boat and its functions. One account describes clear instruction on operating a Four Winns boat, and the staff have also been praised for being welcoming and helpful. If you are driving, listen closely during this part. A four-hour rental feels generous only if you get moving without spending too much of it finding your way around the controls.
The exact boat description here is a Four Winns HD240 for up to 10 people. Some past outings have used other Four Winns models, including a 4win 420, so confirm the precise boat at booking if the model matters to you. The supplied information also describes a boat around six meters long with 150 horsepower in one outing, but that detail should not be assumed as a guaranteed specification for every HD240 rental.
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Cruising toward Maro-Cerro Gordo and Nerja

The main appeal is the coastal run from Marina del Este toward the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Site. This area gives you a mix of open-water cruising, rocky shoreline, small coves, and places to stop for a swim.
You are not buying a rigid sightseeing cruise with a guide narrating every bend. You are renting a sports boat and choosing how to use the four hours. That distinction matters. If your group wants to cover some distance, you can spend more time underway. If swimming and water sports matter most, you can settle into a favorite stretch of water and stay there.
The route toward Nerja is especially useful for groups with mixed interests. Adults may enjoy the coast and the boat ride itself, while teenagers can make good use of the donut and other water toys. One family outing had four teenagers using the donut for much of the journey between the marina and Nerja. That gives you a good sense of how quickly this can become an active day rather than a quiet cruise.
You should not expect every minute to be spent at top speed. The boat needs to leave and return through the marina, and the group may want time for swimming, equipment changes, and short stops. The value is in having the choice. You can make the day lively or keep it relaxed.
Swimming and snorkeling along the coast
Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring a full set of gear for the group. The supplied information does not promise a particular marine site, water conditions, or visibility, so treat snorkeling as a flexible part of the outing rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.
The best use of the equipment is likely to come during a calm stop. A moving boat is the center of attention while you are cruising, but a quiet pause gives you time to get into the water, look around, and dry off before heading onward. Bring the usual personal basics for a boat day, such as swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, since only snorkeling equipment and water toys are specifically included.
Four hours is a useful length for this kind of rental. It is long enough to reach the coast around Nerja, enjoy a swim, and still have time for the return. It is not so long that a group becomes tired, sunburned, or short on patience. One piece of feedback called four hours enough to see the area and have a pleasant swim, which is a fair way to think about the timing.
The drawback is that the coast and the water can change with the weather. The experience requires good weather, and conditions will affect how comfortable swimming and snorkeling feel. If the sea is unsettled, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund.
Donut rides, skiing, and wakeboarding

The included water toys make this more than a simple boat rental. Depending on conditions and the equipment available for your outing, you may be able to use a donut, water skis, or a wakeboard.
The donut is the easiest group activity. It requires less technique than skiing or wakeboarding, and it lets several people take turns during the trip. For a group with teenagers, it may become the main event. For adults who would rather watch than ride, it adds something to enjoy from the boat without forcing everyone into the water.
Water skiing and wakeboarding require more confidence and coordination. The supplied details list them as possible activities, but they do not promise instruction, a particular tow setup, or guaranteed availability for every rental. If either sport is essential to your plans, ask Alboran Charters exactly what is included before you pay.
The boat’s sports design suits this kind of use. It is intended for movement and recreation, not just sitting at anchor. Still, you should be realistic about fitting 10 people, equipment, and personal belongings aboard. Ten is the maximum group size, not necessarily the most comfortable number for a group that wants to carry lots of gear and spend the day moving between activities.
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What the private group price really means
The listed price is $733.69 for the group, up to 10 people. Split ten ways, that is about $73 per person before gasoline. Split among eight people, it is about $92 each, again before fuel. For a private four-hour boat outing, that can be good value if your group fills most of the available places.
The price makes less sense for a small party. Two or three people would carry most of the group cost themselves, and you would still need to pay for fuel. This is best suited to a family group, two couples traveling together, or a circle of friends who want private use of the boat.
Fuel is not included, and the information provided does not state a fixed gasoline charge. Ask how fuel is calculated before departure. This is one of the most important questions because the final cost depends partly on how far you cruise and how much time you spend using the boat’s power.
The private format also has value beyond the arithmetic. You choose your pace, decide how long to swim, and control the balance between sightseeing and water sports. You are not sharing the boat with strangers or waiting for a group schedule. If that flexibility matters to you, the per-person cost becomes easier to justify.
Staff service and small onboard details

The strongest practical impression is that the staff provide friendly service and a clear handover. A good briefing matters more than flashy extras on a self-drive rental. You want to understand the boat, the controls, and the basic plan before leaving the marina.
One outing included a cooler bag filled with soft drinks selected in advance. Treat that as a possible service detail rather than a guaranteed inclusion, since drinks are not listed among the formal inclusions. Ask ahead if you want refreshments arranged.
The boat has also been noted as having Bluetooth for music. That is a nice touch for a private day on the water, though one outing had distorted speakers even at low volume. I would bring modest expectations about the sound system and avoid making the day depend on onboard music.
The service appears to be the most consistent strength. A staff member named Melania received specific praise for her kindness and helpful manner. The available information does not identify a dedicated guide for this rental, so you should think of the staff as the marina team handling the boat, instructions, and arrangements rather than a traditional tour guide.
Captain rental and driving your own boat

If you have the required qualifications, the rental lets you take control of the boat. If you do not, you can hire a captain. This is important because the experience is not limited to licensed boaters.
The information does not state the captain’s fee, so ask whether the captain is an optional supplement and how that changes the total price. Also confirm who makes the final decision about the route and stops when a captain is aboard.
A captain can be worthwhile for a group that wants to relax, drink soft drinks, focus on swimming, or avoid spending the first part of the outing learning the controls. It also removes uncertainty for anyone who has little experience with a sports boat. On the other hand, a self-drive rental may suit you better if operating the boat is part of the fun and you already meet the required qualifications.
Do not assume that being comfortable on a small motorboat is the same as meeting the rental requirements. Confirm the qualifications accepted by Alboran Charters before arrival. That simple check can prevent a frustrating start.
Who will enjoy this four-hour rental most?
I would recommend this outing most strongly to a group of friends or family members who want control over their day. A group of up to 10 can spread the cost, rotate through the water toys, and still have time to enjoy the coast.
It is especially well suited to:
- Families with older children or teenagers who want an active day
- Friends who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and towable water toys
- Qualified boaters who want to set their own route
- Groups willing to hire a captain for a more relaxed outing
- People staying near La Herradura, Almuñécar, Nerja, or Malaga who can reach Marina del Este
It is less suitable if you want a guided coastal explanation, a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or a low-cost excursion for just one or two people. It may also disappoint anyone expecting fuel, drinks, or a fully staffed sightseeing cruise to be included.
The activity is listed as suitable for most people, with service animals allowed and public transportation nearby. Those details make the meeting point more accessible, but the supplied information does not give specific details about boarding assistance or boat accessibility. If that affects your plans, ask the operator before booking.
Booking, weather, and cancellation details
You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity begins at 10:00 a.m. at Marina del Este. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup from Nerja or another coastal stop.
Weather is a real part of the decision. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful protection for a sea-based activity, particularly when snorkeling and water sports are central to the plan.
The cancellation wording needs careful attention. The supplied information says in one place that canceling at least five days ahead qualifies for a full refund, but the formal cancellation policy says the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Before paying, ask Alboran Charters to confirm which rule applies to your booking. Do not rely on the more generous wording without written confirmation.
Should you book the Four Winns HD240?
Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private, active half-day on the coast. The combination of Maro-Cerro Gordo, swimming, snorkeling equipment, and water toys gives you more freedom than a standard boat cruise. The friendly marina service and option to hire a captain make it workable for both experienced boaters and complete beginners who prefer not to drive.
Think twice if your group is small, if you dislike extra fuel charges, or if you want every cost fixed in advance. Confirm the boat model, gasoline arrangements, captain fee, water-sport equipment, and cancellation terms before you commit.
For the right group, this is a flexible way to see the coast from the water. Fill the boat, plan for fuel, and treat the route as your own four-hour playground rather than a formal guided tour.
FAQ
Where does the boat rental start?
It starts at Alborán Náutica & Charters in Puerto Deportivo Marina del Este, Avenida Marina del Este, 18690 La Herradura, Granada, Spain.
What time does the activity begin?
The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.
How long is the boat rental?
The rental lasts approximately four hours.
How many people can use the boat?
The price covers a group of up to 10 people.
Where does the boat go?
The outing departs from Marina del Este and can take you along the coast toward the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Site, La Herradura, Almuñécar, and Nerja.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.
Are water toys included?
Yes. Water toys are included. The available information lists activities such as donut riding, water skiing, and wakeboarding.
Can I rent a captain?
Yes. You can hire a captain if you do not have the required qualifications to operate the boat.
What happens if bad weather cancels the outing?
If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
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