The Balearic lead Spain’s nautical market with 308 recreational vessel registrations through May

The Balearic Islands recorded 308 recreational boat registrations between January and May 2026, representing an 11.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The archipelago accounts for 13.8% of the national market and tops the ranking by province, ahead of Barcelona and Murcia. The nautical charter sector also positions the Balearic Islands as a national benchmark, with 22.8% of charter registrations.

The Balearic Islands registered 308 recreational vessel matriculations between January and May 2026, marking an 11.6% year-on-year growth compared to the same period in 2025. Across Spain, the market reached 2,228 registrations, up 10.6% from the 2,014 recorded in the same period the previous year.

According to the monthly report prepared by the Spanish National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), based on data provided by the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, the archipelago consolidates its position as the region with the highest volume of registrations in the Spanish market, accounting for 13.8% of the national total.

By province, the Balearic Islands rank first nationally, followed by Barcelona with 291 registrations and Murcia with 266. These three provinces concentrate a significant share of nautical activity registered during the first five months of the year.

The Balearic leadership also extends to the nautical charter market. Between January and May 2026, the islands recorded 165 charter-related registrations, broadly in line with the previous year (167 in 2025), representing 22.8% of the national total. In Spain, the charter market reached 726 registrations, an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

In the national charter ranking, the Balearic Islands are followed by Barcelona, with 119 registrations, and Murcia, with 65, as the provinces with the highest number of vessels registered for rental use.

At the national level, vessels up to 6 meters continue to dominate the market (65.6%), with 1,462 registrations between January and May 2026, a 9.7% increase year-on-year. Boats between 6 and 8 meters total 429 units (+5.1%), while those between 8 and 12 meters account for 211 registrations (+13.4%). The strongest percentage growth is seen in larger vessels: boats between 12 and 16 meters rose by 21.7% to 84 registrations, while vessels over 16 meters, representing 1.9% of the market, reached 42 registrations.

By vessel type, motorboats remain the dominant segment (46.9%), with 1,046 registrations up to May, an increase of 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. Jet skis recorded 604 registrations, growing 15.5% year-on-year. Sailing boats also performed positively, with 95 registrations and 25% growth. Folding inflatables remained broadly stable with 230 units and a slight decline of 0.9%, while rigid inflatable boats totaled 222 registrations, down 7.9% compared to January–May 2025.