Embarca / Blog

Where to launch an inflatable: how to find and choose a boat ramp

The Embarca team · Published 14 October 2026 · 4 min read

I know of no single official list of boat ramps in Spain. There are ramps run by state and regional ports, yacht clubs, town councils and beach accesses, each with its own fees, hours and rules. This guide gives you the method to find a good one and not get surprises at the gate.

Where to look

• Marinas and fishing ports. Almost all have a ramp or slipway, but use depends on the operator: the Port Authority (state ports), the regional body (in Andalusia, Puertos de Andalucía) or a private concession. Call or write to the harbour master.
• Yacht clubs. They often have a ramp for members and some allow one-off use for a fee. If you are not a member, ask.
• Town councils. Many beach ramps are municipal and may be closed in the bathing season. The council's website or the local police can clarify.
• Other boaters. Forums, fishing groups and harbour regulars know which ramp has a good surface and which one eats trailer wheels.
• Embarca. With Pro, the launch and ramp finder covers Huelva to Castellón and ports and marinas across Spain, with what matters: whether access is public, what the surface is like, whether there is a fee and how to get there by car with a trailer. The curated guide to anchorages and launches currently covers the Axarquía, the Costa Tropical and Sotogrande; we keep expanding.

What to ask before you go

1. Is it public? Do you need to be a member, have a berth or request permission?
2. How much? Launch fee and trailer parking, if any, and how it is paid (sometimes cash only).
3. Hours and season? Some ramps close at night or in high season.
4. What boats does it admit? Weight, length and trailer type.
5. Where do I leave the car and trailer? Not all have parking nearby.
6. Required paperwork: the boat's and the trailer's (registration, inspection, insurance). Ask your Captaincy what you need for your type of boat.

What to look at on the ramp

• The surface. Concrete in good condition is ideal. Algae, silt or loose gravel can make vehicle wheels slip.
• The slope. A steep ramp demands a car with good grip. Use the handbrake and chocks.
• The bottom at the end. Stones or steps at the foot of the ramp damage the trailer and propellers.
• Wind and swell. With a beam sea, launching and recovering is much harder: check the wind before leaving home.
• Room to manoeuvre. Summer weekends bring queues. Go early.

The launch procedure, in six steps

1. Get everything ready off the ramp: plugs in, engine, kit and lifejackets aboard, fuel connected.
2. Remove the trailer straps, leave one safety strap and keep the bow line in hand.
3. Reverse slowly until the stern floats; do not immerse the car's wheels more than necessary.
4. Release the last strap, push the boat into the water and tie it to the dock (never leave it loose).
5. Clear the car and trailer quickly so you do not block anyone.
6. Start the engine with the boat already tied up and check the propeller is clear and cooling water flows.

Recovery is the same in reverse, with the same lack of hurry: none.

And if there is no ramp

Some light inflatables can be launched by hand from a beach. If you do, check with the town council whether it is allowed on that beach and at that time of year: in the bathing season there are usually marked zones and restrictions, and launching or beaching in them causes problems. It is not about courtesy: it is the safety of swimmers.

Sources

• Puertos del Estado and Puertos de Andalucía: directories of ports and contact details for each operator.
• Salvamento Marítimo, before setting off: condition of the boat, paperwork and trip planning (in Spanish).