PELAYOS DE LA PRESA GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Titulín in the Reservoir: Earn Your Licencia de Navegación at Pantano de San Juan
A combined online-theory and four-hour practical program from Greenwich Náutica that prepares students to helm recreational boats up to 6 meters at the Embalse de San Juan.
Titulín in the Reservoir: Earn Your Licencia de Navegación at Pantano de San Juan.
Adventure brief
Titulín in the Reservoir: Earn Your Licencia de Navegación at Pantano de San Juan
Greenwich Náutica’s Bono Licencia de Navegación Todo Incluido pairs self-paced online theory with a focused four-hour on-water practical at the embalse de San Juan, enabling participants to qualify to navigate recreational boats of up to six metres.
Located just southwest of Madrid in the scenic embalse de San Juan, the Bono Licencia de Navegación Todo Incluido offers an unmatched gateway for anyone eager to master boating in Spain’s inland waters. This unique blend of online theoretical learning and hands-on practical training lets you navigate vessels up to 6 meters in length, empowering you to command boats with confidence and official certification. Whether you’re an aspiring sailor or an outdoor enthusiast seeking new adventures, this course delivers essential maritime skills in an easily accessible and strikingly beautiful setting.
Embalse de San Juan is a well-known reservoir famous for its vast open waters surrounded by rolling hills and the dense Mediterranean pine forests typical of the Community of Madrid. Popular for both locals and visitors, it offers a peaceful yet vibrant boating experience free from the crowded coasts. The course itself starts online, allowing you to study at your own pace with access to a dedicated virtual campus that includes theory materials, auto-evaluation tests, and personalized tutor support. When ready, the practical portion takes place on-site at the reservoir's marina in Pelayos de la Presa, where you'll operate homologated boats under expert supervision over a comprehensive four-hour session.
What makes this program stand out is its balance of flexibility and depth. With nine months to complete both theory and practice, it fits well into busy schedules and is ideal for learners aged 16 and older. The hands-on experience ensures you understand boat handling, navigation rules, safety protocols, and emergency procedures in real conditions. The embalse de San Juan setting enhances the learning curve, offering calm waters and natural surroundings that exaggerate the pleasure of piloting a boat.
This isn’t just a boating course but a first step into exploring Madrid’s aquatic landscapes and beyond, making the region more approachable for water activities. Being able to carry the official Licencia de Navegación opens up opportunities for personal recreational boating and even small-scale coastal excursions elsewhere in Spain.
The operator’s commitment to clear communication is evident: the purchase of this course includes immediate online access but requires a separate booking for the practical session. This ensures personalized scheduling tailored to each student’s readiness. For those interested, in-person payment options and direct contact details provide convenience and confidence.
In summary, the Bono Licencia de Navegación Todo Incluido at embalse de San Juan is a singular adventure, mixing rigorous licensing standards with the freedom and thrill of Spain’s inland waters, making it a must-try for water lovers visiting the Madrid region.
Route Schematic
Route & Practical Schematic
Key locations and access points for the practical portion of the course.
Meeting point — Pantano de San Juan
The practical takes place at the Pantano de San Juan; participants meet in Madrid at this reservoir for the on-water session.
Embarcadero in Pelayos de la Presa
The embarcadero is located in Pelayos de la Presa, to the southwest of the Community of Madrid and serves as the local launch point for the practical training.
Access via M-501
Access to the embankment and the Pelayos de la Presa embarcadero is via the M-501, the road known locally as the 'carretera de los pantanos.'
Participants must be at least 16 years old at the time of the tests and practices and must meet medical fitness requirements (psychophysical evaluation per national regulation) before obtaining the title; operators may alter routes or schedules according to availability and local conditions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Integrated theory plus a concentrated 4-hour practice
The package grants immediate access to the online theoretical campus and includes a separate four-hour practical session in Madrid to complete the course requirements.
Practice on the Embalse de San Juan
Practical sessions take place on the embalse de San Juan, a reservoir southwest of the Community of Madrid where the operator runs the on-water portion of the course.
Helm boats up to 6 metres
Completing the combined theoretical and practical training enables participants to operate recreational vessels up to six metres in length under the Licencia de Navegación regulations.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
You study theory at your own pace via the virtual campus, then schedule a separate four-hour practical in Madrid at the embalse de San Juan where the hands-on portion completes the course needed to obtain the Licencia de Navegación.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits — and who should take care.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The voucher grants immediate access to the online theoretical campus; the practical is a separate four-hour session in Madrid and you have up to nine months from purchase to complete both parts subject to availability.
Practical sessions occur at the embalse de San Juan; the local embarcadero is in Pelayos de la Presa with road access via the M-501.
You can buy the course online (with a small management fee) or request bank transfer details from the operator; payment in cash may be possible at Greenwich Náutica’s Madrid offices—check office hours before visiting.
Operator-provided materials and any specific on-water kit requirements are not detailed in the supplied materials; contact Greenwich Náutica directly for their recommended equipment list before attending the practical.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Does purchasing the bono reserve my practical date?
No. Purchase of the bono does not automatically reserve a practical date; you must consult availability and book the practical session separately.
How long is the on-water practical?
The practical session is four hours long in Madrid at the embalse de San Juan.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must have turned 16 years old at the time they undertake the tests and practices.
Are there medical requirements?
Yes. A psychophysical medical examination is required to assess vision, hearing, coordination, balance, strength and general health as part of eligibility for the title.
Where is the practical held?
Practicals are held at the embalse de San Juan; the embarcadero is in Pelayos de la Presa, accessible via the M-501.
Can I study the theory immediately after purchase?
Yes. From the moment of purchase you receive access to the virtual campus to begin the online theoretical portion at your own pace.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-02T04:07:11.413Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.