Puerto Marina · Benalmádena
We leave Puerto Marina for the sheltered waters between Benalmádena and Mijas, home to a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. A calm, easy trip built so families and anyone prone to seasickness can enjoy the Alborán Sea without any fuss.
High
Chance of a sighting in season
approx. 2 h
Average length of the trip
Apr–Oct
Best time to see them
Over 85% real chance of dolphin sightings in season. The odds go up when the sea is calm.
The continental shelf off Benalmádena is wide and shallow, so the water sits more protected here than along the western coast. That draws in coastal bottlenose dolphins, seen almost year-round, along with turtles basking at the surface.
CommonTursiops truncatus
This is the dolphin you're most likely to meet here. The coastal pods know boats well and often come over to ride the bow wave. They travel as a family, calves included through the summer.
All year, most active May to September
FrequentCaretta caretta
In the warmer months it's easy to come across a loggerhead resting at the surface. They don't spook quickly, so there's time to cut the engine and watch for a while before they dive.
June to October, when the water is warmer
OccasionalStenella coeruleoalba
Rarer off Benalmádena because it favours deep water, it shows up when we head a little further out. It moves in large, lively groups, leaping well clear of the boat. Seeing it here is a bonus that doesn't happen every trip.
Now and then in summer, further offshore
We cast off at Puerto Marina and head out to look for dolphins, either following the coastline towards Torremolinos and Mijas or towards Málaga. Before we pull away we pass La Carihuela and the Bil-Bil Castle, depending on which route we take based on where the dolphins are, which look quite different from the water than you'd expect. From there we look for the bottlenose pods on the fishing grounds between the harbour mouth and La Cala de Mijas.
It's one of the gentlest routes on the whole Costa del Sol: the shelf is wide and the seabed rises slowly, so the swell breaks less and the ride stays smooth. That's why it works so well with children and with anyone not used to boats. There's no need to go far out — the dolphins usually turn up just a few miles from the harbour mouth.
3–6 nm
Distance to the usual grounds
20–30 min
To the first sightings
20–40 m
Average depth of the area
For this trip we use stable boats with good shade, easy to move around in while you watch. We have 13 boats available along the Costa del Sol. Here are the ones available at Puerto Marina.
We meet you at the mooring about 15 minutes before departure. Puerto Marina has parking and plenty of places for a coffee, so there's no rush to find the boat.
Before we leave we explain how we'll approach the animals, what to do when they appear and where to stand for the best view. We hand out life jackets and answer any questions.
We clear the harbour mouth and hug the coast for the first few minutes, with La Carihuela beach or the Bil-Bil Castle and the Benalmádena skyline alongside. A good moment for photos before we go looking for the dolphins.
Once we reach the bottlenose area we slow right down and let them come to us. We cut the engine where we can so as not to disturb them and enjoy the moment in silence.
We head back unhurried along the same stretch of coast. Weather permitting, there's the option of a quick swim near the shore before we re-enter Puerto Marina.
Everything people ask us before heading out to see dolphins in Benalmádena.
Calle la Fragata, Amarre 685, 686 y 687, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga
Exit 222 off the A-7 / N-340 towards Puerto Marina. It's well signposted from the motorway. About 20 minutes from Málaga city and 15 from the airport.
The C1 commuter train (Málaga–Fuengirola) stops at Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena; from there a local bus or taxi reaches the harbour in a few minutes.
Puerto Marina has paid public parking inside the complex and metered spaces nearby. In summer it's worth arriving early, as it fills up.
Puerto Marina is one of the liveliest harbours on the Costa del Sol, so the day needn't end when you step off the boat. Here's what's within a short walk.
An aquarium inside the harbour itself. A good way to round off the day with children if the dolphins left you wanting more marine life.
Benalmádena's most classic beach-bar promenade, a short step from the harbour. Grilled sardines and fried fish looking out over the sea you've just sailed.
A small Moorish-style castle right on the shore, very photogenic. You'll have spotted it from the water on the way out; up close it's worth the stop.
Puerto Marina itself has a craft market, terraces and ice-cream parlours. The perfect plan to stretch the afternoon without leaving the area.
Still after more time at sea? You can rent a boat for the day in Benalmádena, compare harbours in our dolphin-watching guide, or, if cetaceans of the Strait appeal, take a look at our trip from Manilva.
Real reviews from customers in Benalmádena.
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!! It's a super fun activity, and with a bit of luck you'll see dolphins swimming right next to you. The guy, Aitor, is a really good person and attentive to everything!
An incredible experience!! From the very first moment they made us feel very comfortable and we really enjoyed the trip. The atmosphere was spectacular. They took us to see dolphins, a manta ray — amazing! I'd especially like to highlight the team, Ramón and Brian, who were attentive, fun and professional at all times. Thanks to them we had a brilliant time. We definitely recommend it 100% and will be back! Thanks for everything!!
Great boat experience, we saw lots of dolphins and flying fish and the staff were great, very friendly and pleasant, the boat very well equipped and clean — we'll be back.
Book your trip to see dolphins in Benalmádena, or message us and we'll help you pick the boat and the time.
