10 boat routes in Euskadi.

Boat tours in Euskadi, adventures on the high seas.

Boat tours in Euskadi are one of the most demanded experiences by the people who visit us. It is not surprising. Our coast, irregular and wild, attracts and enchants. Even more so when we have the chance to see the large cetaceans that inhabit these waters. Quite a spectacle. It is not the first time we talk about this kind of experiences, and in previous publications we have already talked about the boat routes in Urdaibai or the boat routes in Bilbao, 2 areas of great natural, cultural and historical interest in which regular boat routes are made on a daily basis almost all year round. Although there are countless boat routes, from TurismoVasco we wanted to select what for us are the most important and beautiful boat routes in the Basque Country. A compilation of maritime routes, with which we want you to know some of the most striking corners of our coast. These boat trips are made both along the coast and inland, between estuaries and marshes, thus offering the possibility of discovering Euskadi from a different point of view. In this sense, the most popular tourist routes are those that allow us to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, sail next to the Guggenheim Museum or tour the Bay of La Concha. Three very attractive options that merge with other trips to the high seas to offer a wide range of possibilities.

If you are looking for boat trips in Euskadi, if you are looking for regular boat routes that show you some of the most beautiful places of our geography, you are in luck. Throughout this article we are going to reveal the most important and striking outings of our coast. Maritime tours, which show us the charms of the most visited enclaves of the Basque Country. And most of the boat tours that we show you in this article have audio guides or public address system to show an important part of the history of the environment that we travel. A nice way to learn about some of the most important historical landmarks of each place.

The maritime routes of Euskadi that we present today, allow us to enjoy a different perspective to the one we have from land. 10 options that take us to know different spaces and facets of the Basque coast from the bow of a boat. Remember that in this section you will also find customized routes and transport routes, therefore, not all are sightseeing tours. Variety and quality. We hope you like them.

Boat tours in Bilbao.

Bilboats, one of the most important maritime companies in Greater Bilbao, offers us to know the capital of Biscay from the deck of its boats. Currently, Bilboats has 2 maritime routes along the Bilbao estuary: Sailing Bilbao and Sailing to the sea. The first one, lasting about 60 minutes, allows us to get to know the entrails of the center of Bilbao (from the City Hall Bridge to the Zorrozaurre riverside) while the second one, lasting about 120 minutes, allows us to extend the route until we reach the Bizkaia Bridge and the Port of Bilbao. Most of the tours are done in a monohull boat with a capacity to carry 80 passengers. A boat, which, divided into 2 decks (interior and exterior), allows us to know Bilbao from the comfort of this type of boat.

Remember that at the entrance, in the bar area, the audioguides are provided free of charge. The only requirement is to leave your ID card or any other supporting document while using them. We recommend you to use them. In this aspect, we must say that the audio that Bilboats has designed is perfectly synchronized with the route of the boat, so we only have to press play at the beginning of the route. Bilboats provides us with interesting information about the geography and history of the city we are visiting. A dynamic and entertaining visit that tries to show us the “old” and “new” Bilbao making references to the industry and buildings that we find on our way. Highly recommended. One of the best options to visit Bilbao by boat.

Boat tours in Urdaibai.

Hegaluze, a company based in Bermeo, is in charge of showing us the charms of this natural paradise. An environment of great value, which was listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1984. We must indicate that Hegaluze surprises us with 3 routes that show us such amazing places as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Elantxobe or the Biscayan coast. Shocking places where nature plays a vital role. We are sure that it is not the first time you hear about San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, one of the most visited places in Euskadi and also one of the most surprising. But you should know that the rest of the routes are just as striking, especially the route that shows us Elantxobe from the sea, simply breathtaking. Highly recommended.

Hegaluze has different audios, which, played through the public address system of their boats, inform us about the places we are sighting. Currently this Basque company has 3 boats, practical and comfortable boats that take us to know some of the most striking cliffs of the coast of Biscay. If you decide to opt for any of the boat trips proposed by the company Hegaluze, we recommend reading our article “Bermeo, what to see and do“. Bermeo, the port from which these boats depart, is one of the most beautiful towns on our coast, a safe bet.

Boat tours in Donostia San Sebastian.

The boat tours in Donostia San Sebastian allow us to know the emblematic Concha Bay from a different perspective. Since 1942, the company “Motoras de la isla” has been offering us the opportunity to get to know this environment in an economical, fun and practical way. This is how this route allows us to reach the Santa Clara Island in Donostia San Sebastian. Undoubtedly one of the most emblematic corners of the capital of Gipuzkoa.

In addition to the direct route to Santa Clara Island, the island’s motorboats also have a second maritime route that allows us to contemplate the beauty of the bay with more comfort through the underwater vision of one of their boats. On the other hand, if you are looking for a boat to enjoy special moments of Donostia San Sebastian such as the Concha Flag, the fireworks or private excursions during any other time, know that the island’s motorboats also offer this type of service. Highly recommended.

Boat tours from Donostia San Sebastian.

If you want to know the cliffs that surround Donostia San Sebastian, if you want to know the capital of Gipuzkoa from the sea, we recommend that you value the possibility of making some of the sea crossings that connect Donostia San Sebastian with Pasaia and Hondarribia. Undoubtedly 2 of the most striking and picturesque towns of the coast of Gipuzkoa. Through these boat tours, you will have the chance to discover the bay of La Concha, the bay of Pasaia and the bay of Txingudi. 3 really idyllic sceneries.

The boat chosen to make these trips allows us to glide over the sea, thus minimizing the impact that the sea waves have on the boat and therefore on the passengers. A unique boat on the Basque coast that encourages us to discover some of the most amazing corners of our coast. A great option for all those people staying in the capital of Gipuzkoa and who want to enjoy a pleasant sea route. We must remember that the price includes a souvenir photo of the experience, water or soft drink without alcohol and the option to swim in the bay of La Concha. A very complete service that awaits you in the port of Donostia San Sebastian.

Boat tours in Zumaia.

Geoparkea, the geopark of the Basque coast, proposes a maritime route to discover the incredible flysch that we find between the towns of Zumaia and Deba. An impressive geological phenomenon, which shows us the history of the earth in a pleasant, educational and fun way. This is, without a doubt, the most informative maritime route of the list that we propose today. Far from just showing us the environment through which it passes, on board the boat we are surprised with an incredible geological lesson on the history of the earth. Thus, making use of fossils and information panels, they offer us to know one of the most beautiful stretches of the Basque coast. What do you think? Are you up for it?

You should know that this maritime route is part of the guided tours to know Geoparkea, a maritime route, which, combined with explanations from land, offers an overview of the rich history of the land we walk on. The region in which this maritime excursion takes place, Urola Kosta, has many attractions. Among them we would like to highlight the txakoli wineries, the towns of Getaria, Zarautz or Zumaia and the incredible gastronomy offered by restaurants such as Xixario or Katxiña. A beautiful and complete range of possibilities that we recommend you to explore. Nature, history, culture and gastronomy. It couldn’t be more complete.

Boat tours in Getxo.

Getxo, one of the most complete and beautiful towns in Greater Bilbao, offers all kinds of maritime services. Among them, maritime routes for fishing in Euskadi, routes in jet skis in Bilbao and sailing routes. Of course, we must make special emphasis on the regular sailboat trips proposed by the tourist office of Getxo. An impressive experience that allows us to sail the Biscayan coast with the strength of the always imposing sea breeze. In this sense we must point out that although all boats offer us the freedom to sail the waters of the Bay of Biscay, doing it on a sailboat always brings an extra plus. Sailing is a real pleasure.

If you choose this option, we recommend reading our article on what to see in Getxo, because, in our opinion, this coastal town is one of the most impressive of those surrounding Bilbao. Clear witness of this are the Bizkaia Bridgethe cliffs of the Galea or the Old Port of Algorta. We are sure that you will love them. We must clarify that the route to follow during these sailing trips depends largely on the weather and the state of the sea. The safety and comfort of the visitor above all. That is why these sailing trips can take us to contemplate the impressive cliffs of Getxo or to enjoy the charm of the estuary of Bilbao. An industrial environment that is being reconverted into one of the most important areas of Bizkaia.

Boat route in the Flysch of Bizkaia.

The Flysch of Bizkaia, one of the most interesting stretches of the Basque coast, offers guided tours by sea and land practically all year round. These experiences allow us to get to know the towns of Getxo, Sopela, Barrika, Plentzia, Gorliz, Lemoiz, Bakio and Bermeo in the company of a local guide specialized in geotourism. Remember that there is also the possibility of private visits in this area of our coast. A very attractive option for associations, companies, schools or groups of friends.

These boat trips depart from the port of Plentzia, a small and charming town located on the coast of Biscay. From here, the boat sets course to the lighthouse of Gorliz. A place where we will have the opportunity to contemplate paradisiacal coves and the striking island of Villano. We will continue the visit knowing the cliffs of Barrika and the beach of Muriola, one of the scenes of Game of Thrones in Euskadi. A very attractive visit, which we recommend you to enjoy in first person.

Boat rental in Euskadi.

If the routes that we have mentioned do not convince you, if the different routes that we propose are not attractive to you, you should know that there is the possibility of renting boats for private tours. This type of routes usually have a higher cost but also a greater customization, allowing us to create a maritime route to our liking. If you are interested in this type of experience, we recommend that you evaluate the different options available depending on the number of people, the stretch of coast you want to know and the type of boat in which you want to sail around the Basque Country. If you have any questions, we recommend you to leave us a comment in this article, we will try to answer you as soon as possible. More information in our article about boat rentals in Euskadi.

Our recommendation is that you merge the incredible sensations of sailing in the Bay of Biscay with the refreshing experience of swimming in these waters. A nice plan, which, together with our friends or family can be simply perfect. In addition, this type of private tours usually have the possibility of adding an appetizer based on our typical pintxos. A nice and intense way to get to know the Basque coast. Are you up for it?

Boats to see cetaceans in Euskadi.

Seeing cetaceans in Euskadi is one of the great attractions of our coast. Sailing with whales, dolphins and other cetaceans that live among us is simply amazing. A unique experience that we highly recommend. During this type of maritime routes cetaceans are not the only animals that accompany us, and by air, several species of seabirds usually accompany the boats that make this type of routes.

We must inform that, although whale watching in Euskadi is not an exact science, although it is not always possible to enjoy incredible sightings, it is common to see some of the species mentioned above. At present, the company VerBallenas has a 99% of sightings in its outings. A statistic that highlights the great work that this company does on the Basque coast.

Transport ships.

Although all the aforementioned boats are specialized in tourist tours, there are countless boats that help the Basques themselves in their daily lives. This is the case of the boats that link the shores of different geographical features such as the Bilbao estuary, the Bay of Pasaia or the Bay of Txingudi, among others. Motorboats or gasolines that make short and indispensable trips to transfer passengers from one point to another. We recommend you to go to Pasaia to enjoy one of the most important cultural projects of Euskadi(Albaola) and take the motorboat to go to Pasai Donibane, old fishing port and one of the most idyllic places of our coast. A movie plan.

The same case that we have exposed in Pasaia, is reproduced in Getxo and Hondarribia, where after enjoying some of the many charms that have both localities we can set course to Portugalete and Hendaye correspondingly. An impressive plan, where families are the main protagonists. And it is that the smallest of the house, the children, have a great time enjoying maritime transports like the ones we have mentioned in this section.

Book boat tours in Euskadi.

If you want to book a boat tour in Euskadi at the best price, we recommend you to use the booking system of TurismoVasco.com, simple, fast and secure. As you will see, not all the companies mentioned in this article have online booking at this moment, but we are sure that they will be implementing it as time goes by. We recommend you to be attentive to our social networks(Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), as we will be updating this article with new routes and maritime companies in the near future. For now, we recommend you to book online the boat trips in Urdaibai and the maritime routes in Bilbao2 leading companies that offer some of the best maritime experiences.

As you have been able to see, there are many boat routes in Euskadi. Different and unique experiences that allow us to know Euskadi from the sea. 100% recommended. In case you have any questions or recommendations, we encourage you to use the comment system that you will find below these lines, we will try to respond as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!