A practical guide for guests planning a Maia Fair charter
The best anchorages near Marbella include Playa del Cristo at Estepona, the Benahavis coastline below Los Flamingos, the calas off Cabopino Natural Monument, Playa Linda Vista at San Pedro de Alcantara, and the Golden Mile beach club anchorages off Marbella Club and Puente Romano. Each works best in different wind conditions and the captain selects the optimal anchorage on the day based on sea state and your group's preferences.
Each day the captain picks the anchorage based on three things: wind direction (anchorages on the lee side of the prevailing wind are calmer), sea state and swell direction, and your group's preferences for swimming, beach club access, photography or seclusion. The choice is finalised after the morning weather check and discussed with the lead guest at boarding.
The western coastline offers the most secluded anchorages within easy reach. Playa del Cristo at the western edge of Estepona town is a natural cove with calm water, sandy bottom and the old town visible from the deck. Bahia Dorada towards Manilva is more open but quieter. The La Duquesa stretch and Punta Chullera provide overnight options for extended charters.
Just 12km west of Berth 092, the Benahavis stretch below the Los Flamingos and La Quinta golf resorts offers some of the calmest water on the coast, sheltered by the curve of the bay. The anchorage opposite the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel is ideal for half day charters wanting glamour without the journey. Estrella del Mar beach club tender access from this anchorage.
Anchoring off the Golden Mile (4 to 6km east of Puerto Banus) gives direct tender access to Marbella's most exclusive beach clubs. Off Marbella Club for the original Golden Mile glamour, off Puente Romano Sea Grill for fine dining, off Trocadero Arena for relaxed Mediterranean elegance, off Nikki Beach for the famous Sunday party atmosphere. Tender drops require advance booking for sunbeds and lunch.
The eastern coastline offers cleaner water and less crowded anchorages. Playa Artola off Cabopino sits below the protected Artola Dunes Natural Monument, the only natural undeveloped beach in the Marbella area. The calas off Calahonda and the anchorage off La Cala de Mijas all work well for full day charters with longer swim stops.
For overnight charters, the captain selects sheltered bays where Maia Fair can lie safely through the night. Favoured spots include the calas off Playa del Cristo, sheltered bays in the Sotogrande area, and the anchorage off Cap Spartel for cross border charters towards Morocco.
| Anchorage | Distance | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Marbella Old Town beaches | 6km East | Quick half day, town views |
| Golden Mile beach club anchorages | 4-6km East | Beach club access |
| Benahavis coastline | 12km West | Calm water, half day |
| Playa Linda Vista San Pedro | 10km West | Quiet swimming |
| Playa Artola Cabopino | 20km East | Natural beauty, dunes |
| Playa del Cristo Estepona | 30km West | Sheltered cala, town tender |
| La Cala de Mijas | 30km East | Beach club lunch |
| Bahia Dorada Manilva | 40km West | Quiet, less developed |
| Sotogrande sheltered bays | 50km West | Overnight |
| Strait of Gibraltar bays | 80km West | Overnight, dolphin watching |
Yes. The captain takes preferences into account when planning the day. The final choice is based on conditions on the day, but where conditions allow, your preferred anchorage will be the destination.
Some are. Benahavis and Golden Mile anchorages are busier in July and August. The captain has alternative options for every condition and never anchors somewhere that compromises the experience.
Yes. All Maia Fair anchorages are chosen with safe swimming in mind, with depth, current and proximity to other vessels assessed before the boarding ladder goes down.
Sunset anchorages depend on the time of year. In summer the sun sets behind Sierra Bermeja so anchorages off Benahavis and Estepona give the best silhouette. In winter the sunset is further south.
Maia Fair operates within standard Spanish anchorage regulations. Some areas like the Cabopino dunes are protected and have specific anchorage zones the captain follows.
Standard anchoring at Spanish public coastal spots is free. Marina entry for tender drops at private marinas like Estepona, Sotogrande or La Duquesa may carry a small fee.
Anchorages with quick tender access to a beach club work well, particularly the Golden Mile (Trocadero Arena, Nikki Beach), Benahavis (Estrella del Mar) or La Cala de Mijas. Non swimmers can spend the swim stop ashore.
Maia Fair is a 72ft yacht with a deep draft, so it anchors offshore in deeper water for safety. The tender then carries guests to the beach. Depending on the anchorage, the tender ride is 2 to 5 minutes.
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