Every season, the maritime safety regulations in Malaga are updated for swimmers, jet skis, surfers, floats or kayaks etc. In this article we tell you everything you need to know for leisure in the waters of our coastline!
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Maritime safety regulations in Malaga
We present you the important information in different sections according to your interests.
Maybe you want to rent a boat in Malaga. Or do you enjoy surfing in Malaga or go kayaking. Maybe you are a swimming enthusiast or you are more into adrenaline on a jet ski.
You may also be interested to know that surfing, paddle surfing, pedal boats, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wind-foiling or similar activities you have to use a life jacket.
In case you are ‘just’ a sunbather enjoying the sun and lounging on the beach, you will also be interested to know what not to do on the beaches of Malaga, as you may be fined a considerable amount of money.
Marked bathing areas
Sport and recreational boating is not allowed in the marked bathing areas. You can not use floating recreational craft, self-propelled recreational watercraft or towed watercraft in order to ensure the safety of bathers.
Kayaks, paddle surf etc.
This section refers to all floating devices without mechanical propulsion. The practice of surfing, paddle surfing, pedal boats, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wind-foiling or similar, will require the use of life jackets.
Includes: canoes, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards (paddle surfing), pedal boats. You can navigate these in the strip of sea between 50 and 200 metres from the coast.
Jet skis
Jet skis must maintain a minimum distance of 100 metres from other vessels of any kind. You can not navigate closer than 400 metres from the coast and may only enter and leave the beach through marked channels.
Its use is only for daytime. You can not go further from the coast than one mile and no further than 5 miles from the place of departure of the vessel. In other words, forget about riding your jet ski from Benalmadena to have a beer at a beach club in Marbella.
Surf
Windsurfing, windfoil or similar boards must be used outside the bathing area or in areas designated for surfing at a maximum of 500 metres from the coast. You can use surfboards and kitesurfing boards may a maximum of 200 metres from the shore.
Take a look at our article Surfing in Malaga to find out the best areas and schools offering courses.
Flyboard
The Flyboard is another self-propelled recreational watercraft. Its use is only for daytime, more than 400 metres from the coast and at most half a mile.
Their minimum distance to bathers must be 100 metres and you can not use them in beach access channels for recreational craft.
Beach access channels for vessels
The access channels to the beaches are exclusively for the entry and exit of boats. You must not swim in these areas.
Sailing vessels
You have to tow sailing vessels in order to enter a beach access channel, unless they have a motor. Channels must remain clear, therefore, vessels can not anchor there.
Unmarked bathing areas
In unmarked bathing areas you can not use sport and recreational boating and any type of floating recreational craft. These devices are very popular along the Costa del Sol in summer, be it water-skiing, bananas, donuts, Sky-Bus, Fly-Flish, Paracraft and similar.
Permitted ages for using these recreational devices
Permitted for users over 16 years of age. Children over 12 years of age require parental or guardian consent. This activity requires the use of a life jacket.
Open water swimming
Open water swimming is a sport that has been gaining popularity in recent years all along the Costa del Sol.
You can practise open water swimming only in daylight. The use of an individual buoy is compulsory. It is also important to have the appropriate safety equipment such as a life jacket or a float to avoid sinking in case of emergency.
Persons taking a dip in open water next to a vessel that marks their position do not need to carry a marker buoy.
Navigation in caves
No boat or floating craft that is propelled by a motor is allowed to enter sea caves.
Especially the eastern Costa del Sol of Nerja and Maro has a spectacular natural beauty due to its rock formations and cliffs. We can recommend you to rent a kayak and take a guided tour through the turquoise waters, where there are also some sea caves.
You can find more information in our article Active Tourism and adventure sports in Malaga, in the section Kayaking in Maro.
Diving
The area around Nerja and the Maro Natural Park is also the most beautiful on the Costa del Sol for scuba diving.
There are a number of diving schools to introduce you to this beautiful sport or where you can rent your equipment. As in open water swimming, every diver must have a marker buoy.
Minimum age for diving activities
The minimum age for recreational and sport diving is 8 years old with the following depth limitations:
- From 8 to 9 years old: depth limit 6 metres. From 10 to 11 years old: depth limit 12 metres. From 12 to 15 years old: depth limit 21 metres. From 16 to 18 years old: depth limit 40 metres.
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