Rapita Charter Boat Rental: Drive a Small Boat Along Mallorca's South Coast Beaches
Quick answer
Rapita Charter hires a self-drive boat from Sa Ràpita for $314 (about €279), up to 4 people, 4 to 8 hours, 25 litres of fuel.
A €200 deposit is held, and GetYourGuide rates it 4.9/5 from 33 reviews; read the licence section before you pay.
The Rapita Charter boat rental is a small self-drive boat hire at Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita, on Mallorca's quiet south coast, with the shore to Es Trenc and Colònia de Sant Jordi in reach.
The boat holds up to four, the operator walks you through the controls, and you choose between 4 and 8 hours. It sits with the other options on my page for boat rental in Mallorca.
The detail that changes the decision is the law. The listing says no licence is needed, but Spain's rule for small-boat exemptions changed on 1 October 2026 and its preamble says renters must hold a title. Ask Rapita Charter in writing before you pay.
| Operator | Rapita Charter; charter registration 0739/24 as stated on the listing |
|---|---|
| Boat type and capacity | 2022 lightweight aluminium boat with bimini shade and swim stairs; up to 4 people |
| Price | $314 per boat (about €279 at 0.88865 EUR per USD, 2026-10-16) |
| Duration | 4 to 8 hours; the listing shows start times after you pick a date |
| Departure point | Dock H, Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita, 200 m on your right from the club gate - Sa Ràpita pin on Google Maps |
| Route | Sa Ràpita, Ses Covetes, Platja des Trenc, Colònia de Sant Jordi, all optional |
| Food and drink | Not included; bring water |
| Gear | 25 litres of fuel, life vests, snorkel gear, anchor, safety equipment |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before; weather can cancel departures |
| Rating | 4.9/5 from 33 reviews on GetYourGuide (guide 5.0, value for money 4.9) |
What do you get with the Rapita Charter boat rental?
You get a whole boat for up to four people with 25 litres of fuel, safety gear, life vests, snorkel kit and a short lesson, then you drive it yourself along the shore. The hull is lightweight aluminium, and the boat dates from 2022.
- Boat: 2022 aluminium boat with bimini shade, swim stairs and anchor.
- Fuel: 25 litres included; ask what happens if you want to go further.
- Safety: life vests and safety equipment on board.
- Briefing: the owner explains how to handle the boat before you leave.
Is the Rapita Charter boat rental really licence-free?
The listing says no licence is required, but the exemption it relies on was rewritten by Real Decreto 1188/2025, in force for this article from 1 October 2026. Read the amended wording before you assume the old rule.
| Point | Rule |
|---|---|
| Boat | Private use of a motorboat up to 5 m and 15 CV, with no power-reducing device |
| Distance and time | No more than 2 nautical miles from the departure port; daytime only |
| Age | 18 or older |
| Rentals | The decree's preamble says the renter of such a boat must hold the corresponding title |
The ten reviews I could read pre-date 1 October 2026. The listing also wants an adult with every guest under 18. The decree text is on the BOE page; ask Rapita Charter how your group is covered on your date and keep the reply.
Where does the Rapita Charter boat rental start, and how do you get there?
It starts at dock H inside Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita: go in through the port, walk 200 m on your right from the club gate, and at the end of dock H look for the Rapita Charter logo. Walking route on Google Maps
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bus | TIB line 508 from Plaça Espanya in Palma to the Club Nàutic stop; the TIB announcement for line 508 shows the timetable has changed before, so check current times |
| Car | Paid car park at the club entrance, about €5 per day per the listing |
| Pin | Open the listing pin on Google Maps |
I cannot give a drive or bus time, because the listing gives none. The wheelchair-accessible label is on the listing, but a reviewer in September 2025 said the boarding aid is weak in deeper water, so ask about boarding before you rely on it.
What is the route along the south coast?
The route runs east and south from Sa Ràpita past Ses Covetes to Platja des Trenc and on to Colònia de Sant Jordi, with each stop optional and more than 20 km of coast in view. The description also names Es Carbó, Es Caragol and Cap de ses Salines as places you can reach.
| Stop | What the listing says | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita | Start and end | Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita |
| Sa Ràpita | Sailing along the beach | Sa Ràpita |
| Ses Covetes | Sailing, optional | Ses Covetes |
| Platja des Trenc | Snorkelling, optional | Platja des Trenc |
| Colònia de Sant Jordi | Swimming, optional | Colònia de Sant Jordi |
The listing gives no sailing times between stops, so I will not estimate them. A reviewer suggests bringing snorkel gear anyway because the water is clear; the listing already supplies it.
How long is the rental and when can you go?
The rental runs from 4 to 8 hours, with the start time chosen in the calendar. Sunset limits the longer options in autumn and winter, because the exemption only allows daytime navigation.
| Month | Sunset |
|---|---|
| Jan | 5:50 PM |
| Feb | 6:26 PM |
| Mar | 6:56 PM |
| Apr | 8:26 PM |
| May | 8:56 PM |
| Jun | 9:18 PM |
| Jul | 9:15 PM |
| Aug | 8:45 PM |
| Sep | 7:58 PM |
| Oct | 7:11 PM |
| Nov | 5:35 PM |
| Dec | 5:27 PM |
From mid-April the day stretches past 8:25 PM, so an 8-hour rental is easy from May to September. By November sunset is at 5:35 PM, so a 4-hour rental must start before lunch.
What is included and what do you pay extra for?
The boat, 25 litres of fuel, shade, swim stairs, life vests and snorkel gear are included; the deposit is held in addition. The listing asks for the €200 deposit in cash if possible, which makes the return faster.
- Included: boat, 25 litres fuel, bimini shade, swim stairs, life vests, snorkel gear, anchor, safety equipment.
- On top: €200 deposit, preferably cash; parking about €5 per day.
- Bring: towel, sunscreen, water.
- Not allowed: unaccompanied minors and alcohol in the vehicle.
How does the Rapita Charter boat rental compare with other rentals?
At $314 for up to four it costs the same as the Santa Ponsa rental, one passenger fewer, and more hours: up to 8 against 6.
| Rental | Price | Duration | Rating | People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapita Charter, Sa Ràpita | $314 per boat | 4 - 8 hours | 4.9 (33) | Up to 4 |
| Santa Ponsa self-drive rental | $314 per boat | 3 - 6 hours | 4.7 (92) | Up to 5 |
| Arenal Boat Charter, El Arenal | $213 per boat | 2 - 6 hours | 4.7 (560) | Up to 7 |
For a day on the beaches of the south, I'd book the Rapita Charter boat; for a bigger group or the Palma bay, the El Arenal rental carries seven. The shared options are on my boat tours in Mallorca hub.
Is the Rapita Charter boat rental worth it against a shared boat trip?
It is worth it for two to four people who want a long day on the south coast at their own pace; it is not worth it if you want a crew, food or a guide.
At four people the from-price boat is $79 each, above a catamaran lunch at $62 to $76, but you get the whole boat and a day of your own planning.
- Worth it: couples and small families who want beaches without crowds.
- Weigh up: the licence question and the 2 nautical mile limit.
- Look elsewhere: a skippered trip from the private boat tours in Mallorca if you want to sit back.
Is a self-drive boat hire from Sa Rapita worth it?
A self-drive boat hire from Sa Ràpita is worth it for the coastline, since the beaches along the south shore are far from the Palma crowds and the boat is yours for as long as you book.
| Factor | Rapita Charter | Shared catamaran from Palma |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314 per boat | $39 - $76 per person |
| Control | You steer and choose stops | Fixed route |
| Food | Bring your own | Often a meal included |
| Start | Sa Ràpita, south coast | Palma, bay |
When is the best time to go, and how windy is it?
June to August gives the warmest water and fewest rain days, with July at 1.5 and highs of 31 to 32 degrees Celsius, while September to November have 8 or more rain days. Average daily peak wind sits near 17 km/h in summer and rises to about 20 km/h in the cooler months.
| Month | Avg high 2025 | Avg high 2015-24 | Rain days (1 mm+) | Avg peak wind | On the water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 15°C | 5.9 | 20.2 km/h | Cool; short swims |
| Feb | 16°C | 16°C | 6.7 | 19.6 km/h | Cool; short swims |
| Mar | 17°C | 17°C | 7.5 | 21.0 km/h | Cool; short swims |
| Apr | 20°C | 19°C | 7.8 | 19.5 km/h | Cool; short swims |
| May | 24°C | 23°C | 7.4 | 17.8 km/h | Warm and manageable for a small boat |
| Jun | 31°C | 28°C | 4.1 | 16.6 km/h | Hot; the south-coast beaches are the draw |
| Jul | 31°C | 31°C | 1.5 | 16.7 km/h | Hot; the south-coast beaches are the draw |
| Aug | 32°C | 31°C | 4.2 | 16.5 km/h | Hot; the south-coast beaches are the draw |
| Sep | 28°C | 27°C | 8.8 | 16.8 km/h | Hot; the south-coast beaches are the draw |
| Oct | 24°C | 24°C | 7.8 | 17.2 km/h | Warm and manageable for a small boat |
| Nov | 19°C | 19°C | 8.1 | 19.8 km/h | Cool; short swims |
| Dec | 16°C | 17°C | 5.5 | 18.0 km/h | Cool; short swims |
Today the sea off Sa Ràpita is 25.0 degrees Celsius. Check the marine forecast of Spain's weather service, AEMET, the day before; the listing says weather can cancel departures. Spanish holidays after today from the Nager.Date API are 1 November, 6 December and 8 December.
13.56 million tourists visited Mallorca in 2025, yet the south coast stays quieter than the bay of Palma.
What do renters say?
Renters praise the owner's briefing, the clean boat and the clear water. I could read only ten reviews, all five-star, dated between 2023 and 2026, so this is the favourable end of the range.
- Owner or guide (9 of 10): friendly, clear on how to drive, gives route tips.
- Boat condition (5 of 10): clean, comfortable, well equipped.
- First-timers (3 of 10): easy to drive after the lesson.
- Complaint (1 of 10): the boarding aid is weak in deeper water.
Who should skip the Rapita Charter boat rental?
Skip it if you want a skipper, a meal on board, a short outing under 4 hours, or you are not comfortable steering a boat. A shared trip from the Mallorca boat tour hub fits better.
- Parties above four: the boat takes four; see the seven-seat El Arenal boat.
- Anyone under 18 alone: an adult must come too.
- Anyone needing easy boarding: ask about the ladder first.
How do you book the Rapita Charter boat rental?
A self-drive boat from Sa Ràpita for up to four, $314 (about €279) for 4 to 8 hours, with 25 litres of fuel and snorkel gear.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
- Pick the date and the length in the booking widget.
- Ask Rapita Charter about the licence requirement for your date.
- Bring €200 for the deposit, ideally in cash.
- Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence for the Rapita Charter boat rental?
The listing says no licence is required. Spain's amended article 10 applies from 1 October 2026 and its preamble says renters need a title, so ask the operator in writing.
How much is the Rapita Charter boat rental?
It is $314 per boat, about €279, for up to four people and 4 to 8 hours.
Where can I find boat rental in Mallorca?
My page on boat rental in Mallorca lists the self-drive options.
Is fuel included?
25 litres of fuel are included. Ask Rapita Charter what happens beyond that.
What is the deposit?
The listing holds a €200 deposit and prefers cash because it is faster to return.
How do I get to Sa Ràpita without a car?
The listing points to TIB bus 508 from Plaça Espanya in Palma to the Club Nàutic stop. Check current times with TIB.
Where is the boat?
At dock H inside Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita, 200 m on your right from the club gate, at the end of the dock.
Can children come?
Yes, with an adult; the listing wants a grown-up with every guest under 18.
Can I snorkel?
Yes. Snorkel gear and life vests are included.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The listing says yes, but a reviewer found the boarding aid weak in deeper water, so ask first.
What if the weather is bad?
Departures can be cancelled for weather; the operator moves your date or refunds you.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 470250 (price, includes, meeting point, reviews, checked 2026-10-17); BOE, Real Decreto 1188/2025 (article 10 amendment and the 1 October 2026 start); TIB, line 508 announcement; Govern de les Illes Balears, AETIB tourism statistics; Open-Meteo climate and marine data; Nager.Date holidays; Frankfurter exchange rate; sunrise-sunset.org; AEMET marine forecast.
