Hundreds of recreational boats, especially sailboats, visit these attractive coasts every year. The wind in the Cantabrian Sea is rarely calm, making it the ideal setting for sailing sports, with regattas held throughout the year.

Cantabria has a large resident fleet of sailboats, a breeding ground for elite sailors with significant achievements in national, international, and Olympic competitions. There are several sailing schools operating in the region, and throughout the year it is possible to take beginner or advanced courses with specialized instructors.

Marinas

The exceptional orographic conditions of the Cantabrian coastline favor the location of maritime ports for fishing and sports use, allowing fishing and nautical sports practices almost all year round.

In Cantabria, nautical activity can be carried out practically all year round due to the excellent conditions of its bays, where some of the main marinas are located. In the Bay of Santander and the Bay of Laredo-Santoña, sailing and motor sports boats go out every day of the year.

The most important marinas are, from East to West:

• Castro Urdiales. This port is located in front of the town’s Yacht Club and next to the beautiful Castro fishing port.
• Laredo. This modern marina, located next to the town center, has 857 berths and a large service area, as well as a technical area. It is destined to become one of the reference marinas of the Cantabrian coast.
• Santoña. In this beautiful seaside town, there is a marina with a capacity for 100 boats. It has pontoons in a perfectly protected dock.
• Puerto Deportivo Marina de Pedreña. Located in the south of the Bay of Santander, in the town of the same name, opposite the well-known Real Club de Golf de Pedreña.
• Marina del Cantábrico. This is the most important marina in the Cantabrian region. Located southwest of the Bay of Santander, it is very close to Santander Airport and the Cantabrian highway.
• Puertochico. Located in one of the most emblematic areas of Santander, in the heart of the city, Puerto Chico is undoubtedly one of the best-known marinas in our country, having produced Olympic sailors of the caliber of Gorostegui, Abascal, Piris, and López-Vázquez.

Other towns such as Suances, Comillas, and San Vicente de la Barquera, where important fishing ports are located, also have space for sports boats, both sailing and motor.

Sailing Schools:

• The Príncipe Felipe High-Performance Sailing Center (CEAR) in Santander: A sailing school for all audiences and levels, and the current training and preparation headquarters for the Spanish Olympic sailing team.
• Real Club Marítimo de Santander Regatta School: Located in the heart of the Bay of Santander, next to Puertochico.
• Cantabrian Water Sports School “Isla de la Torre”: Situated at the entrance of the Bay, opposite the Magdalena Palace and beach in Santander.
• Marina de Cudeyo Water Activities Center: Located in the Marina de Pedreña.
• Real Club Náutico de Laredo Sailing School.
• Real Club Náutico de Castro Urdiales Sailing School.
• Santoña Sailing School.

Links of interest:

• Cantabrian Sailing Federation: https://www.fcvela.com/
• Association of Nautical Interests of Cantabria, AINACAN: Founded with the main purpose of safeguarding the interests of the maritime sector in the region. https://www.facebook.com/AinacanNautica