The Balearic Islands close 2025 as leaders in nautical charter despite a decline in registrations

The recreational boating market in Spain closed 2025 with stable performance compared to 2024 and a positive trend in the final quarter of the year, especially in the smaller length segments, according to the 2025 Recreational Boat Market Report, prepared by ANEN (National Association of Nautical Companies) based on data from the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine.

Over the course of the year, 4,992 recreational boats were registered in Spain, representing a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to 2024, while the rental market recorded 1,418 registrations (–19.3%), reflecting a sharper adjustment after the strong growth seen in previous years.

Recreational boat registrations showed weaker performance up to May and a growing recovery in the final quarter, which made it possible to close the year with a stabilizing trend. December recorded growth of 14%, confirming the improvement in market momentum toward the end of the year.

ANEN’s Director General, Jordi Carrasco, noted that “2025 has been a year of adjustment and consolidation for the nautical sector, following the strong growth experienced in previous years. The positive performance in the last quarter, especially in smaller boats, confirms that recreational boating maintains a solid base of demand and a remarkable capacity to adapt to a more demanding economic environment.”

By length, boats up to 6 meters continued to account for the bulk of the market, with 3,492 registrations, representing 70% of the total and a 1% decline compared to 2024. Boats between 6 and 8 meters totaled 898 units (18% of the total) in 2025 and were the segment with the best year-on-year performance (+0.2%). These two segments were key to the recovery in the final quarter.

Meanwhile, boats from 8 to 12 meters reached 407 registrations, reflecting a decline of 0.5%.

Larger boat segments maintained a limited share of the market, in line with trends in recent years: the 12 to 16 meter segment registered 144 recreational boats, down 5.3%, while boats over 16 meters, with 51 registrations, fell by 3.8%.

By type, motorboats remained the leading segment, with 2,066 registrations (41.4%) and a decrease of 3.3% compared to 2024, followed by personal watercraft, with 1,394 units (27.9%) and a decline of 10.7%.

In 2025, notable growth was seen in foldable inflatable boats, which reached 664 registrations (+47.2%), strengthening their share of the total market (13.3%).

The rental market closed 2025 with 1,418 registrations, a drop of 19.3% compared to 2024, after several years of strong expansion. Nevertheless, the final quarter also showed more favorable performance, with a year-on-year increase of 43.8% in December. Boats up to 6 meters continued to dominate, with 938 registrations (18.8%). By type, personal watercraft and motorboats also led the rental market, with 589 and 520 registrations, respectively.

Recreational boating activity in 2025 was concentrated in the main coastal provinces. In the overall market, the Balearic Islands led registrations with 664 units, despite a decline of 18.8%, followed by Barcelona, with 564 registrations and a drop of 1.1%.

They were followed by Murcia, the province that broke records in 2025 with 491 registrations and growth of 85.3%, and Alicante, with 414 registrations and growth of 19.3%, strengthening their role as key hubs of recreational boating in Spain.

In the rental market, the Balearic Islands once again topped the ranking with 321 registrations, despite a decline of 23.2%, accounting for nearly a quarter of total national charter activity. Barcelona (194), Alicante (171), and Murcia (77) followed, confirming the predominance of tourist-nautical destinations and the Mediterranean arc in this segment.