San Sebastian Boat Tours

San Sebastian, or Donostia in Basque, is a city in the Basque Country known the world over for the film festival that takes place every year in September. However, it is ideal to visit all year round for its beautiful coastal walks, its gastronomy, its otherworldly cliffs and unforgettable beaches.

One of the best things to see and do in San Sebastian is to take a boat trip, to see wonderful places, many of which you could not easily see from the coast. Here I tell you about the boat trips that have interested me the most, and that will give you the opportunity to see the main attractions of the city from a unique point of view.

This type of excursion is ideal for you to get to know the bay of Pasaia and other attractions such as Mount Igueldo, one of the most important in San Sebastian. They also allow you to see the towns of Hondarribia and Getaria, the coast of Gipuzkoa and the flysch of Zumaia, a wonderful rock formation, making it one of the best tours you can do in San Sebastian.

These full day tours usually include hotel pick-up and drop-off and are done by car and boat with small groups of up to 6 people. During the tour a specialised guide will tell you all about the attractions you visit. They can be done with children and at any time of the year.

As for the attractions you will see, in Hondarribia you can discover La Marina and the old town, as well as having lunch in one of the best Pintxo restaurants in town. You can also have lunch in Getaria, another of the destinations usually included in these tours, if you prefer.

The tours include a tour of the coastal town of Getaria where you can see the Txakoli vineyards overlooking the sea, its harbour and the fishing traditions of the Basque villages. You can also visit the Zumaia Flysch, a 60-million-year-old rock and sediment formation. It is one of the sites where the famous Game of Thrones series was filmed.

Details of interest

• Price: from 340€.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: van and boat.
• Advantages: you will see the Basque coast, Mount Igueldo, the villages of Pasaia, beaches, vineyards and the Flynch of Zumaia, where Game of Thrones was filmed.
• Disadvantages: food and drinks are not usually included.
• Recommendations: Bring comfortable clothes, footwear and water.

These are boat trips around the most beautiful bays of San Sebastian: Pasaia, Hondarribia and Hendaye. They are ideal for you to appreciate the best panoramic views and enjoy a unique sunset

These excursions usually last around 4 hours and start in the morning. In addition, they usually have a professional guide who will tell you about the history of the Basque coast and many other interesting facts.

These tours are available all year round and small groups of people (up to 12) can participate. They can usually be done with children and even babies and many companies will give you a souvenir photo as a gift.

These are the most common sites to see on a boat trip around the bays of Pasaia, Hondarribia and Hendaye in San Sebastian:

• Mount Urgull, with the castle of La Mota and representing one of the most important natural heritages of San Sebastián.
• The Urumea River, which runs through the city.
• Zurriola breakwater and beach, an ideal place for surfing and water sports enthusiasts.
• Pasaia Bay, where you can visit Murgita Cove, the La Plata lighthouse and small fishing villages.
• The slopes of Jaizkibel, a place of cliffs, coves and lush vegetation.
• The Labetxu valley, or "valley of the gods", where you will see beautiful coloured stones.
• Txingudi Bay, where you will see the Hondarribia marina and the castle in the old town.
• The Bay of Hendaye, which is on the border with France.
• Mount Igueldo, with its amusement park, and Peine del viento, a series of sculptures made by Eduardo Chillida by the sea.
• Santa Clara Island, located in the centre of the Bay of La Concha, is the perfect place to get the best views of the whole city.

Interesting details

• Price: around 130€, with food and drink included.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages: you will be able to see the most important bays of San Sebastian and the main attractions of the city.
• Disadvantages: in winter the excursions only take place on certain days of the week.

If you want to get to know the coast of San Sebastian in a different way, I recommend that you sign up for a luxury evening on a private sailing boat. In addition to the incredible experience of sailing on a sailboat, this type of excursion usually includes a trip around the Bay of La Concha with a disembarkation in Pasai Donibane, a charming fishing village.

These are exclusive tours for groups of family or friends that can be done at different times during the day and are available on certain days of the week, so it is always best to book in advance. It is ideal for those who prefer privacy rather than crowds.

These tours often offer pick-up in certain areas, which you should check in advance. In addition, there is usually a knowledgeable guide who will tell interesting stories about all the sites you see along the way.

These boat trips are suitable for children and are available at any time of the year. In addition, most allow you to jump off the boat to cool off or swim, while enjoying the best panoramic views of the Bay.

Details of interest

• Price: around 350€.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: sailboat.
• Advantages: you will get to know the coast of Donostia and the Bay of La Concha in an exclusive way.
• Disadvantages: food and drink are not usually included.

This type of excursion is ideal for a first look at the coast of San Sebastian and La Concha Bay, especially if you are short on time. They take place on the San Sebastian Catamaran, which has a capacity for 120 people, and lasts only 40 minutes.

This type of trip allows you to see the city's most important attractions such as the sculptures by Oteiza and the Wind Comb, the Ulia and Igueldo mountains, the mouth of the Urumea river, the Paseo Nuevo, the Kursaal cultural centre and auditorium, Ondarreta beach, the Miramar Palace, the City Hall, and the Pico del Loro overhang, which separates the beaches of La Concha and Ondarreta.

During the navigation, a guide will tell you interesting facts about each of the attractions you visit. The tour is available all year round, with a shorter timetable in winter, and can be done with children. The best time to embark is from June to September.

Interesting details

• Price: around €13 per person.
• Duration: 40 minutes.
• Means of transport: catamaran.
• Advantages: you will have a first panoramic view of the Concha Bay and the coast of San Sebastian and some of the main attractions from the ocean.
• Disadvantages: the boat does not stop, it only stops at each attraction for a few minutes.

A good option in San Sebastian is to take a boat trip to the island of Santa Clara, which is located off the Bay of La Concha, and was declared a Historical Centre of National Interest in 1968. Visiting it is one of the best day trips you can do in San Sebastian.

These trips usually include a stop on the island so you can relax or take a dip in its waters. Also, when the tide is high, a natural pool is formed where you can take a dip. The boat trip takes about 40 minutes round trip, but you can stay as long as you like on the island, as the boats cross every 30 minutes.

The tour is available from June to September and usually has a guide on the boat trip who will tell you about the history of the island and other interesting facts. If you wish, you can walk around the island on foot as there are paths and stairs suitable for all ages.

Santa Clara Island has many facilities such as showers, lifeguards, bars, tables, and there is also a lighthouse with a spectacular view of the city. It also has balconies and viewpoints with lovely views of the bay of La Concha, Mount Urgull, Mount Igueldo and the beautiful cliffs.

Interesting details

• Price: from 7€ per person.
• Duration: 40 minutes round trip, but you can stay on the island for as long as you wish.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages: you will be able to see Santa Clara Island and enjoy an excellent view of the coast of San Sebastian.
• Disadvantages: Does not include food and drinks.
• Recommendations: Bring a swimming costume and comfortable shoes.

This type of excursion allows you to get to know the Basque coast and the most famous coastal villages. The municipality of Pasaia or Pasajes is home to 4 villages that are connected by passages: San Pedro and San Juan, which are usually visited on these tours, and Trintxerpe and Antxo. They also usually include a visit to the historic centre of Hondarribia.

These are excursions that are carried out with small groups of people and offer hotel pick-up in certain areas. Children can also go on them. The best time to do it is in high season, from June to September, when the weather is more pleasant.

One part of these tours is done in a van, the tour of Pasaia Donibane and the village of San Juan, which is a fishing village where you can see the old town and much more. The boat part is to cross to the village of San Pedro where the old Apostoluaren Eliza church is located.

During all these tours a professional guide will accompany you and tell you the history of the city of San Sebastian and many interesting facts about the places you visit.

Interesting details

• Price: around 100€ per person.
• Duration: between 4 and 5 hours.
• Means of transport: boat and van.
• Advantages: you will get to know the most popular villages on the Basque coast.
• Disadvantages: you must be prepared to walk, with comfortable shoes and clothes.

This type of excursion allows you to discover the most hidden cliffs of Donostia, sailing on a yacht in small groups of people. Some of the attractions usually seen on these tours are the Kursaal cultural centre and auditorium and Zurriola beach. The boat departs from the port of San Sebastian.

These activities have a professional guide who will show you the most secret cliffs of San Sebastian. They are also ideal for you to learn about the history of the old village of Pasajes, made up of small fishermen's houses.

During these excursions, you usually have time to cool off in the water and sunbathe in one of the best areas in the west. It is an ideal activity for the whole family and the best time to do it is in high season, from 15 June to 15 September.

These tours allow you to see the best panoramic views of the Peine del Viento, the Bay of La Concha, Santa Clara Island and the Bay of Donostia.

Details of interest

• Price: around 60€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: yacht.
• Advantages: you will get to know the most secret cliffs of Donostia.
• Disadvantages: it is not usually available every day.

If you are travelling with your partner, you will love to share a special tour for two people on a private boat, and enjoy activities such as swimming, lunch in a restaurant in Guetaria and a tour of the town.

These tours take place in the morning, accompanied by a specialised skipper who will tell you the history and other details about the places you will see on board the boat. The sound of the sea, the wind and the singing of the seagulls will undoubtedly make for a very romantic trip.

In Guetaria you can take a dip on the beach before embarking on a tour of the town, where you can choose a restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch.

Guetaria is one of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country, known for being the birthplace of the sailor Juan Sebastián Elcano and the fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. It is a fishing village of stone houses and steep, narrow streets, ideal for eating fresh fish and tasting txakoli, a local white wine.

Interesting details

• Price: around 350€, including lunch in Getaria.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages: you can enjoy a romantic evening on a special route along the Basque coast. Lunch and a glass of cava can be included.
• Disadvantages: many companies do not offer refunds for cancellations or changes of date.

On this type of excursion you will be able to see the most popular sites of San Sebastian from the sea and the most popular attractions for visitors. Please note that the boats do not usually disembark at all the sites, but only at those specified in the tour description.

Among the most important sights you can see from the boats are Zurriola beach, the Oteiza sculpture, the Paseo Nuevo breakwater, the mouth of the Urumea river, the Kursaal cultural centre and auditorium, the Ulía and Igeldo mountains, the Peine del Viento sculpture group and Santa Clara Island.

In the Bay of La Concha you will be able to see Ondarreta Beach, the Miramar Palace, the overhanging Pico del Loro, La Concha Beach and the Town Hall. You will also be able to visit the most famous villages of Pasaia, such as San Juan and San Pedro.

Bear in mind that you should always wear comfortable clothes and footwear and bring a swimming costume, sunglasses and sunscreen because many of the excursions include stops at beaches or sea areas where you can take a dip or sunbathe for a while in the beautiful natural surroundings, especially in the warmer seasons.