The Spanish recreational boating market has grown by more than 10% through May 2026 and remains stable at the start of the season.
During the period, 2,228 recreational boat registrations, including jet skis, were recorded – a 10.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The figures are from the latest Recreational Boat Market Report (January-May 2026) published by ANEN, based on records provided by the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine.
The strongest performance was seen in vessels over 8 metres in length, while the up to 6 metre segment continues to hold the largest share of the market (65.6%), with 1,462 registrations between January and May 2026, a 9.7% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Year-on-year growth
There were 429 boats of between 6 and 8 metres in length registered, up more than 5% compared to the same period last year.
There were 211 registrations of boats between 8 and 12 metres in length, up 13.4%.
The largest percentage increases were recorded in the larger lengths: the number of registrations of boats between 12 and 16 metres grew by nearly 22%, with 84 registrations and those over 16 metres – representing 1.9% of the market – reached 42 registrations.
By vessel type, motorboats remain the leading market segment, representing a 47% share, with 1,046 registrations through May, 17.5% more than in the same period of 2025.
There were 604 jet ski registrations, with a year-on-year growth of 15.5%; sailboats also showed positive growth, with 95 registrations – a 25% increase.
Folding inflatable boat registrations remained stable, with 230 units and there were 222 registrations of semi-rigid inflatable boats, a drop of nearly 8% compared to the January-May 2025 period.
Positive charter boat market
The charter boat market continued a positive trend with 726 boats registered between January and May 2026 compared to 654 in the same period in 2025.
Out of these vessels, there was a growth of nearly 40% in the number of jet skis registered.
There were 37 sailing boats registered, a 19.4% increase.
The Balearic Islands, Barcelona and Murcia had the highest number of registrations, with the Balearic Islands representing nearly 14% of the total, up nearly 12% compared to the same period in 2025.
In the charter market, the Balearic Islands saw the most activity with 165 registrations, followed by Barcelona with 119 registrations and Murcia with 65.
