The Balearic Islands maintained their leading role as the main market for recreational boat registrations in Spain in 2025, despite registering a year-on-year decrease in their activity, according to the market report prepared by ANEN with data from the directorate general of the Merchant Marine.
The Balearic islands clocked 664 registrations of recreational boats last year, consolidating itself as the province with the highest number of registrations at the national level, ahead of Barcelona (564) and Murcia (491), which occupied the second and third place respectively.
Although these figures confirm the strength of the Balearic nautical sector compared to other regions, the trend reflects a 19.9 per cent drop compared to the same period in 2014, a trend that has been repeated across much of the Spanish market.
Spanish nautical market: the view nationwide
Nationwide, registrations through September totaled 4,992 units, representing a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to the previous year. This suggests a general trend of adjustment and consolidation of the market. There was weaker performance to May 2025 and a growing recovery in the last quarter.
The last quarter of the year was particularly positive, with December 2025 recording a 14 per cent increase, helping to close the year on a solid note despite a more demanding economic environment.
ANEN’s CEO, Jordi Carrasco, says: “2025 has been a year of adjustment and consolidation for the nautical sector, following the strong growth experienced in previous years. The positive trend in the last quarter, especially for smaller vessels, confirms that recreational boating maintains a solid demand base and a remarkable capacity to adapt to a more demanding economic environment.”
The behavior of the nautical charter segment has also followed the general downward pattern, with a significant reduction in accumulated registrations, although the Balearic Islands continue to lead this subsector within the Spanish market.
Spanish boat rental experiences decline
Nationally, the boat rental market saw 1,418 new registrations, a 19.3 per cent decrease, representing a sharper decline after the strong growth experienced in previous years. The Balearic Islands registered 321 new boats for this activity, leading the national market and accounting for nearly a quarter of all charters nationwide, despite a 23.2 per cent drop. They were followed by Barcelona, with 194 new registrations, and Alicante, with 171.
The post Spain: marine market holds steady, Balearic Islands maintain top spot appeared first on Marine Industry News.
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