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⚓ Spanish Law Changed On 1 October 2026
You can no longer rent a self-drive boat in Spain without a boat licence. A new national rule ended the old licence-free category. It covers the whole country, including Lanzarote, and no operator can work around it.
If you hold a licence, nothing changes. Titulín, PER or a recognised foreign licence and you can still take the Quicksilver out yourself, exactly as before, same price.
If you do not hold a licence, a skipper comes with you. We already offered this before the rule change, so it is nothing new for the operator. It needs at least 2 days' notice and is subject to availability. Message us for the price.
One honest note. If the reason you wanted this boat was being on your own with no crew, a skipper changes that. We explain the alternatives further down rather than just taking your booking.
Tap a topic to jump straight to it
Self-Drive Boat Lanzarote, Quick Facts
Self-Drive Boat Hire Lanzarote, What Changed And What To Do Now
For years you could rent this boat in Lanzarote and drive it yourself with no licence at all. That ended on 1 October 2026. This page gives you the straight version: what the rule means, the two ways you can still get on the water from Marina Rubicón, and our honest view on which is worth your money. The Quicksilver 475 Axess is still a lovely little boat, and for licence holders nothing has changed at all.
If you came here searching for a boat with no licence, read the box above. Not the answer you wanted, but it is the truth and there are good alternatives.
Your Three Options Now
Nothing has changed. Take the Quicksilver out yourself, same boat, same price, same freedom.
- Accepted: Titulín, PER or recognised foreign licence.
- From 160€ for 2 hours, whole boat, up to 5 guests.
- We check it at booking, so nobody is refused at the pontoon.
Same boat with a qualified skipper aboard. We offered this before the rule change, so the operator is set up for it.
- At least 2 days' notice and subject to availability.
- Message us for the price for your date and duration.
- Honest note: the boat seats 5, so the skipper uses one of those seats.
Once somebody else is driving anyway, a proper boat trip gives you more for similar money: a crew, drinks, and a licensed approach to whales and dolphins.
- No responsibility for navigation or damage.
- Bigger boats, shade, and room to swim.
- Wildlife done legally. This small boat cannot approach them.
The Boat: Quicksilver 475 Axess
A modern, compact boat of around 5 metres with a 15 CV engine, based at Marina Rubicón. Stable, simple to handle and genuinely easy for a first-timer, which is why it suited this product so well. The boat has not changed, only the paperwork has.
Open-bow boat with a small engine. Smooth, forgiving and straightforward.
Padded seats, central console and room for your group. The skipper uses a seat if you need one.
Bimini sun canopy, a solarium sunbathing area and a swim ladder.
Bluetooth speakers, a fridge and storage. Snorkel masks and fuel included.
Prices By Duration
The price is for the whole boat, up to 5 guests, not per person. Fuel included. It works out at a flat 80€ per hour whatever you pick, so a longer day does not cost more per hour.
| Duration | Total | Deposit | On Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | 160€ | 25€ | 135€ |
| 3 hours | 240€ | 40€ | 200€ |
| 4 hours | 320€ | 50€ | 270€ |
| 5 hours | 400€ | 60€ | 340€ |
| 6 hours | 480€ | 75€ | 405€ |
| 7 hours | 560€ | 85€ | 475€ |
| 8 hours | 640€ | 100€ | 540€ |
| 9 hours | 720€ | 110€ | 610€ |
Should You Still Book This?
You have a licence? Absolutely. Five metres, five people, nine hours if you want them, from Marina Rubicón into some of the calmest water in the Canaries. At a flat 80€ an hour for the whole boat it is still good value, and the rule change does not touch you at all.
No licence? Think about what you actually wanted. If it was simply being on the water with your group, a skipper is a small compromise and the boat is still great. If it was the privacy, being alone out there with nobody watching, then be honest with yourself that a skipper changes that.
And check the maths on a captained trip. Once you are paying for a skipper anyway, a proper Lanzarote boat charter often lands close in price and gives you a bigger boat, drinks, shade and a crew licensed to approach whales and dolphins. This little Quicksilver legally cannot.
What The Rule Actually Says
Spain used to allow small boats with limited engine power to be rented with no licence, under tight rules on size, daylight hours and distance from shore. A briefing from the rental company was enough. A national rule effective 1 October 2026 removed that category.
In practice: everyone driving a rental boat in Spain now needs a valid licence, or a qualified skipper has to be on board. It is not a Lanzarote rule and not a company policy. Anyone still advertising "no licence needed" boat rental in Spain is out of date.
The practical stuff, tap a section to open it
Included And Not Included
- Private Quicksilver 475 Axess, your group only.
- Space for up to 5 people.
- Fuel included, no surprise costs.
- Snorkel masks.
- Bluetooth music system.
- Bimini sun canopy, solarium and swim ladder.
- Fridge and storage on board.
- Club Canary booking support and licence check.
- A skipper. Available with 2 days' notice, ask us for the price.
- Food, drinks and ice. Bring your own, there is a fridge.
- Refundable 100€ security deposit, taken on arrival.
- Whale watching. This boat cannot legally approach them.
Licences, Meeting Point And What To Bring
- The person driving must hold a valid boat licence. Titulín, PER or a recognised foreign licence.
- Send us a photo when you book. We confirm it with the operator before your date.
- No licence in your group? Request a skipper with at least 2 days' notice, subject to availability.
- The driver must also be 18 or over, carry valid ID or passport, and must not drink alcohol during the rental.
- Departure from Puerto Deportivo Marina Rubicón, Playa Blanca.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before your start time.
- Bring your Club Canary ticket, the driver's licence and ID.
- The balance is paid before departure, by cash or card.
- A refundable 100€ security deposit is taken on arrival and also covers the snorkel masks. It is returned once the boat and equipment are checked back in.
- Swimwear, a towel and sun cream.
- Your own food, drinks and ice. There is a fridge and storage on board.
- Prone to seasickness? Eat beforehand, skip the alcohol, and consider a tablet 30 minutes before boarding.
- The boat stays within a set coastal navigation area for safety. The team explains the area and the boat before you set off.
- Not a whale watching trip. If you see whales or dolphins, keep a safe legal distance. Only licensed boats may approach.
Self-Drive Boat Lanzarote, Frequently Asked Questions
The questions people ask us most since the licence rule changed. Still unsure? Message our local team on WhatsApp, we reply fast.
Do I need a boat licence to rent this boat in Lanzarote?
Yes. Since 1 October 2026 Spanish law requires a valid boat licence for self-drive rental. The old licence-free category, which this boat used to fall under, no longer exists anywhere in Spain.
A Titulín, PER or recognised foreign licence is accepted. Send Club Canary a photo of yours when you book and we confirm it with the operator before your date, so nobody is turned away at Marina Rubicón.
No licence? A qualified skipper can join you, with at least 2 days' notice and subject to availability. Message us for the price for your date and duration.
Can we get a skipper instead of driving ourselves?
Yes, and this was already available before the rule change, so the operator is set up for it.
A skipper needs at least 2 days' notice and is subject to availability. Message the Club Canary team with your date, duration and group size and we will confirm availability and the price.
One thing to know: the boat seats five, so the skipper uses one of those seats. Book accordingly.
How much does it cost, and is fuel included?
The price is for the whole boat, up to 5 people, not per person. Fuel is included.
It works out at a flat 80€ per hour whatever duration you choose: 160€ for 2 hours, 240€ for 3, 320€ for 4, 400€ for 5, 480€ for 6, 560€ for 7, 640€ for 8 and 720€ for 9 hours.
You reserve with a small deposit through Club Canary and pay the balance on arrival. A refundable 100€ security deposit is taken at the marina, which also covers the snorkel masks.
A skipper, if you need one, is not included in those figures. Message us for the price.
What happens if I turn up without a valid licence?
You will not be allowed to take the boat out, and it is treated as a no-show with no refund.
That is not the operator being awkward. Letting an unlicensed person drive is now illegal, so they have no flexibility at all.
This is exactly why Club Canary checks your licence at booking rather than leaving it to the day. Send the photo and it is handled. And if you need a skipper, request it at least 2 days ahead, it cannot be arranged at the marina.
How many people can come, and what is the boat like?
Up to 5 people, and the boat is private, so it is only your group. If you need a skipper, one of those five seats is theirs.
The boat is a Quicksilver 475 Axess, a modern open-bow boat of around 5 metres with a small engine. Stable, forgiving and simple to handle. It has padded seats, a bimini sun canopy, a solarium sunbathing area, a swim ladder, Bluetooth speakers, a fridge and storage.
Snorkel masks and fuel are included. Food, drinks and ice are not, so bring your own for the fridge.
Where does it leave from, and when should we arrive?
From Marina Rubicón in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your start time.
Bring your Club Canary ticket, the driver's boat licence and valid ID or passport. The balance is paid before departure, by cash or card.
Where can we go, and can we see dolphins?
The boat stays within a set coastal navigation area for safety, and the team explains exactly where before you set off. It is a relaxed swim-and-cruise day along the coast rather than a long crossing.
This is not a whale watching trip. If you see whales or dolphins you must keep a safe legal distance and cannot approach them, as only licensed boats may do so. Any coast guard fine for disturbing wildlife is the renter's responsibility.
If the wildlife is your main goal, take a Lanzarote boat trip with a licensed crew instead.
Is there a security deposit?
Yes. You reserve online with a small booking deposit through Club Canary, then a refundable 100€ security deposit is taken on arrival at the marina. It also covers the snorkel masks.
It is returned once the boat and equipment are checked back in. Please handle everything with care.
What if the weather is bad, or someone feels seasick?
The trip depends on safe conditions. If it is cancelled for weather, you are offered a new date or a credit voucher valid for one year.
If conditions are safe but someone feels seasick and you choose to come back early, a refund is not given, as that is a risk of any boat trip. If you are sensitive to motion, eat beforehand, skip the alcohol, and consider a tablet 30 minutes before boarding.
Booking And Cancellation Policy
The Licence, Read This First
- Since 1 October 2026 a valid boat licence is required by Spanish law for self-drive rental.
- Send a photo of your licence when you book. We confirm it with the operator before your date.
- Arriving without a valid licence means you cannot drive, treated as a no-show with no refund. There is no flexibility here, it is the law.
- No licence? Request a skipper at least 2 days in advance, subject to availability. Not something that can be arranged on the day.
Deposit And Payment
- Reserve online with a deposit and pay the balance on arrival, by cash or card.
- A refundable 100€ security deposit is taken at the marina and also covers the snorkel masks.
Cancellation And Rescheduling
- Free cancellation or rescheduling up to 72 hours before, by email to office@clubcanary.com.
- 24 to 72 hours before: a 50€ fee applies.
- Under 24 hours or a no-show: 75% of the arrival payment is charged, fuel excluded.
- Arriving late reduces your rental time rather than extending the end.
Weather
- This trip depends on safe conditions. If it is cancelled for weather, you are offered a new date or a credit voucher valid for one year.
- No refund if the trip ends early due to seasickness. If you are sensitive to motion, take precautions before boarding.
Food, Drinks And Alcohol
- Bring your own food and drinks. The driver must not drink alcohol. Any fine for breaking this is your responsibility.
Respect For Marine Life
- Swimming with or approaching whales and dolphins is strictly forbidden. Any coast guard fine for disturbing wildlife is your responsibility.
- Stay inside the navigation area explained in your briefing.
No licence, or want someone else to drive? Browse Lanzarote boat hire for crewed boats and charters.
Prefer to share and keep it cheap? See the Lanzarote boat trips, with food, drinks and a captain included.
Questions about licences, skippers or durations? Message our local team on WhatsApp. We reply fast.
Club Canary's Honest Take
Real talk from your local team in the Canary Islands
We will be straight, because you probably came here searching for a boat with no licence.
If you have a licence, book it without thinking twice. A flat 80€ an hour for the whole boat, up to five of you, nine hours if you want them, and the water around Playa Blanca is some of the calmest in the Canaries. Nothing about the rule change affects you.
If you do not have a licence, ask yourself what you wanted. Just a day on the water with your mates? A skipper is fine, the boat is still lovely, message us 2 days ahead. Wanted to be out there on your own with nobody watching? Then be honest, that part is gone.
And do the sums before you decide. Once you are paying for a skipper anyway, a crewed boat often lands close in price with a bigger boat, drinks and a crew who can legally take you to the dolphins. This Quicksilver cannot do that last bit at all.
Licence? Go and enjoy it. No licence? Ask us and we will point you right.
⛵ See Your Options 💬 WhatsApp Our Local TeamMade with love by the Club Canary Team.
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