Dance music has become a lot more intimate these days. When once upon a time people would pack into gigantic super clubs to sweat it out with 2,000 other revellers, the trend over the past few years has been towards boutique experiences, with punters seeking laid-back intimacy in place of huge, over-blown all-nighters.
This has all been music to the ears of Spanish boat hire operators. The Mediterranean’s reputation for picture-postcard sunsets and calm, inviting waters combined with some of the best names in European dance music has always thrilled holidaymakers looking for an alternative to the nightclub. However the move away from big clubbing backed up by TV shows like The Only Way Is Essex have resulted in them enjoying a real resurgence in the last couple of years.
2015 has seen Spanish boat parties go from strength to strength, and for arguably the first time the scene really does cater for everyone. From raging sunset parties off the coast of Barcelona to chilled hang-outs and quick dips around the bays and inlets Balearic Islands, whatever you’re into party-wise, Spain probably has a boat for it.
Making Waves in Barcelona
Barcelona Boat Party. Photo credit: Barcelona Boat Party
Barcelona has always had a fiercely independent streak, it is no wonder that the Catalan capital is now one of Europe’s premier music cities.
Barcelona’s party scene never really stops, and during the summer it takes to the waves more often than you might think. While operators like Booze Cruise do pretty much what they say on the tin, others like the Barefoot Boat Party mix top name DJs with romantic sunset vistas of the city skyline.
Looking for Luxury in Marbella
Marbs Party. Photo credit: Marbs Parties
When people talk about ‘going Marbs‘, what they really mean is that they’re off to party in Puerto Banus. Kind of like the Spanish equivalent of St Tropez, this luxurious resort town revolves around its stunning marina, and boat parties form an important pillar of the music calendar.
A few years ago the only way to get onto a boat was to stick on your best bikini or swim shorts and try and blag yourself onto a super yacht. Boat hire companies have started to finally cotton on, and these days it’s quite easy to hire almost any type of vessel – from a small run-about to go dolphin watching to an old style yacht that you can anchor out in the bay and sip champagne while looking like a don.
Club promoters have also started doing regular trips attracting some pretty impressive names. One of the most well-known is Marbs Boat Party, which has hosted some of the biggest parties of the summer so far. August is already looking pretty amazing, with the bank holiday weekend when Dubmonkey’s Chris Rodgers will take over their luxury Catamaran for a three-hour session of tropical house.
The Big Names of Ibiza
Ibiza Rocks. Photo credit: Wikimedia
Europe’s original party island, Ibiza has pretty much defined the boat party as we all know it today. From massive 300-people party cruises to tiny yachts designed for 15 mates to have a chill, Ibiza has a boat for it. And thanks mainly to the Balearic’s breath-taking coast lines and un-forgettable sunsets, you know it’s going to be iconic.
Most of the main party promoters run at least one boat party each season. Ibiza Rocks is one of the largest, setting sail every Wednesday with their Rock the Boat Party.
However, the biggest boat parties on the island are Pukka Up‘s regular sunset boat sessions. Sailing from San Antonio every Tuesday and Friday, these are renowned for combining beautiful sunsets with some of the best house DJs around. This year’s late season has some real gems, with Rudimental, Sigma and Chase and Status all scheduled to play the boat during August and September.
