The catamaran, a rising trend in Spain's nautical summer

The catamaran has become a star of Spaniards' boating holidays, with holidays afloat emerging as an alternative to apartment rentals. Between January and June 2026, Spain registered 3,105 new recreational boat registrations, up 11.2% year on year; of these, 1,041 were for charter, compared with 905 in the same period last year (+15%), according to data from national boating association ANEN. Boat rental is growing especially in the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Andalusia, and for family sailing the catamaran is gaining ground over the traditional monohull thanks to its stability, spaciousness, shallower draft — allowing access to coves — and energy efficiency, with growing hybrid and electric options. The economics also help: while a holiday apartment in the Balearics costs between 1,250 and 3,700 euros a week, a catamaran charter starts at 2,490 euros in low season and 4,440 in high season according to Nautal — but sleeps 8 to 12 people, includes an on-board kitchen and multi-destination cruising. Nautical membership clubs, offering unlimited sailing for a periodic fee, are also growing fast. The global catamaran market, valued at 4.5 billion dollars in 2025, is expected to grow at 7.1% annually to 2035, according to GM Insights. Brands such as Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Bali, Excess, Sunreef and Leopard will return to the Barcelona Boat Show (14-18 October at Port Vell), Europe's fair with the largest catamaran display, with more than 30 boats habitually moored.