It's almost everyone's first question, and the good news is clear: in Menorca you can rent and drive a boat with no qualification at all, as long as the boat stays within certain legal limits.
When you do NOT need a licence
You can sail with no boating qualification if the boat meets all of these requirements:
- Maximum length: 5 metres for motorboats (6 metres for sailing boats).
- Maximum power: 15 HP (11.26 kW).
- Distance from shore: no more than 2 nautical miles (around 3.2 km).
- Daylight navigation only.
Our no-licence boats meet all these limits.
When you DO need a licence
If you want a larger, more powerful boat or to sail further from shore, you'll need a valid qualification (PNB, PER or equivalent). The most comfortable alternative is a private charter with skipper.
The Balearic rules
Since 2024, the Maritime Authority tightened the rules for renting recreational boats without a qualification in the Balearics. In practice this means a short, compulsory handling briefing before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
