Marbella has turned heads once again. Spotted off the coast of Puerto Banus, the magnificent 110-metre megayacht Kaos, owned by American billionaire Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie, has drawn crowds of onlookers to the glamorous marinas, arriving in convoy with its 67-metre support vessel, Kalm.

A floating palace with Qatari royal origins

Kaos carries an eye-watering price tag of around €300 million, making it one of the most spectacular and valuable private vessels in international sailing. Originally built in the Netherlands by renowned shipyard Oceanco, the vessel was commissioned for the late Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, before later passing into Walton Laurie’s hands.

Onboard services are designed to rival those of an ultra-luxury hotel, comfortably accommodating up to 31 guests across 15 premium cabins, including an exclusive master suite located on an entirely private deck. A dedicated crew of up to 45 professionals keeps things flawlessly running. World-class amenities include a fully equipped gymnasium, a luxury spa, a guest lift, an onboard cinema room, a certified helipad, and a private medical bay.

The optical illusion that stops people in their tracks

Much of Kaos’s fame rests on her extraordinary exterior, the work of Barcelona-based designer Igor Lobanov, who has said he “was allowed to do anything he wanted.” Cascading decks painted in different shades of blue evoke the waves of the sea, create an effect that tricks the eye into perceiving a far leaner silhouette than the vessel truly possesses. At the time of her delivery, she contained more marble and stone in her interior than any other superyacht ever recorded.

Following purchase, Walton Laurie, daughter of Walmart co-founder James “Bud” Walton and one of the world’s wealthiest women with a fortune estimated at around $10 billion, undertook a major refit in Hamburg. Over 1,500 square metres of interior spaces were redesigned, and the yacht was rechristened Kaos.

Meet Kalm, the vessel travelling in convoy

Accompanying Kaos on her Puerto Banus visit is Kalm, a 67-metre support vehicle valued at around $30 million. Carrying helicopters, tenders, jet skis, and all technical equipment required for operations at sea, Kalm ensures Kaos keeps its guest spaces completely uncluttered

Environmental scrutiny and a brush with eco-activists

Kaos has not always sailed in calm waters. Back in July 2023,she was targeted by eco-activists , defacing her hull with red and black spray paint in protest at the environmental impact of superyacht travel. During a previous stay in Spanish waters, Euro Weekly News reported on the massive strain the vessel placed on local infrastructure, revealing how the €300m superyacht drained immense amounts of electricity and shore power simply to keep its internal systems running while sitting idle at the dock in Malaga.

Puerto Banus still a magnet for the global elite

Every summer, the world’s most exclusive superyachts choose the famous port as one of their stops through Europe. Few destinations can match Marbella’s combination of glamour, infrastructure, and climate.

A young British man has passed away after smashing into rocks in the Spanish sea in the municipality of Mazarron, located in the southeastern region of Murcia. The man, 25, had gone into cardiac arrest after making impact with rocks on the Percheles Beach.

Horror incident in Spanish holiday hotspot

The tragic incident happened just after 4:00pm on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10.  A spokesman for the local government-run emergency response coordination centre stated: “We received several 999 calls around 4:05pm yesterday afternoon reporting difficulties in getting a swimmer out of the water at Percheles Beach in Canada de Gallego, part of the municipality of Mazarron. […] According to the callers, two young English men reported that their companion had struck the rocks and was unconscious in the water.”

Emergency services race to the scene, but it is sadly too late for the young man

The young man had been holidaymaking in the popular Spanish town, and was swimming in the sea when the horror incident took place. Two of his companions drew attention to the accident, and locals managed to pull the man out of the water. Emergency responders, including the Guardia Civil, the Mazarron Local Police, the Mazarron Civil Protection, firefighters from the Murcia Region Fire and Rescue Consortium, and an ambulance from the 061 Emergency and Urgent Healthcare Service, raced to the scene. The health professionals present tried to revive him, using the CPR method as well as specialised resuscitation equipment, but they were unable to do so and the man was sadly pronounced dead.

A beach with no lifeguard: A striking and tragic reminder for holidaymakers in Spain

Questions are swirling as to the nature and safety of the beach in which the incident occurred, as well as the lack of a lifeguard on the beach. The beach in question is accessible by an unpaved road, and the closest town to the area is Cañada de Gallego.

The tragic incident has called attention to the importance of being safe while swimming at sea, particularly in secluded beaches. Beaches that do not have a lifeguard, nor access to quick emergency response in the case of an incident, should be avoided if holidaymakers want to swim.

Additionally, as peak season comes into full swing, holidaymakers and locals are reminded that the increase of alcohol consumption, late-night partying, and the holiday mindset could make accidents like these more likely, and that any tourist or resident should exercise caution when swimming, hiking, or doing any other physical activity that may result in injury, especially in low-light conditions or areas where help cannot arrive immediately.

As temperatures begin to soar across Spain, pet owners are being urged to take extra precautions when exercising their dogs. Under Spain’s Animal Welfare Law, owners have a legal responsibility to protect animals from conditions that could cause suffering or injury, with serious breaches carrying fines of up to €50,000.

The warning comes as veterinarians continue to highlight the dangers of heatstroke, dehydration and burns caused by hot pavements during the summer months. While many residents adjust their routines during periods of extreme heat, experts warn that dogs remain particularly vulnerable because they are less able to regulate their body temperature than humans.

Legal responsibility and potential penalties

Authorities may consider it a breach of an owner’s duty of care if a dog suffers harm as a result of being exposed to dangerous conditions, particularly if the animal develops heatstroke, dehydration or injuries caused by hot surfaces.

Under Spain’s animal welfare framework, serious infringements can carry fines ranging from €10,001 to €50,000. The severity of any penalty depends on the circumstances and the impact on the animal’s wellbeing.

Why hot weather can be dangerous for dogs

Unlike humans, dogs do not cool themselves efficiently through sweating. Instead, they primarily rely on panting and limited sweating through their paw pads.

During periods of extreme heat, dogs can quickly become overheated, especially when exercising, walking on hot surfaces or spending prolonged periods in direct sunlight. Certain breeds, including Bulldogs, Pugs and French Bulldogs, are particularly vulnerable because their shortened airways make cooling themselves more difficult.

Owners should also ensure that any muzzle used does not prevent panting, as this can increase the risk of overheating, particularly during hot weather.

Older dogs, puppies and animals with underlying health conditions also face an increased risk of heat-related illness. Heatstroke can develop rapidly, particularly during Spain’s summer heatwaves, making prevention essential.

How to keep your dog cool during Spain’s summer

Veterinary experts recommend walking dogs during the coolest parts of the day, ideally early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are lower. Strenuous exercise should be avoided during the hottest hours, typically between midday and late afternoon.

Owners should always carry fresh drinking water and offer it regularly during walks. Access to shade is equally important, particularly in urban areas where concrete and asphalt can reach extremely high temperatures.

A simple way to test whether the ground is too hot is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for several seconds. If it feels uncomfortable, it may also be hot enough to burn a dog’s paw pads.

At home, pets should have constant access to fresh water, shaded areas and adequate ventilation. Cooling mats, fans and damp towels can help reduce heat stress, while dogs should never be left unattended inside parked vehicles, where temperatures can rise to dangerous levels within minutes.

Recognising the signs of heatstroke

Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency that requires immediate attention. Early warning signs often include excessive panting, heavy drooling, restlessness and difficulty settling.

As the condition worsens, dogs may become anxious, weak, lethargic or disoriented. Other symptoms can include bright red gums or tongue, rapid breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation, loss of coordination, collapse or unconsciousness.

Without prompt treatment, heatstroke can lead to organ failure and may prove fatal. For this reason, pet owners should act quickly if they suspect their dog is overheating.

What to do if you suspect heatstroke

If a dog begins showing signs of heatstroke, it should be moved immediately to a shaded or cool location. Small amounts of cool drinking water can be offered, but the animal should not be forced to drink.

Owners should begin lowering the dog’s temperature gradually using cool, rather than ice-cold, water. Wet towels can be applied to the neck, chest and abdomen to help reduce body temperature safely.

Veterinary attention should be sought as soon as possible, even if the dog appears to recover. Internal complications can develop after the initial symptoms have subsided and may not be immediately visible.

Questions and answers

Is it illegal to walk a dog in hot weather in Spain?

No. Spanish animal welfare law does not set a specific temperature at which walking a dog becomes illegal, including 40°C or above.

However, the law does require owners to avoid exposing animals to conditions that could cause suffering or injury. In extreme heat, this can include risks such as heatstroke, burns from hot asphalt, dehydration or collapse from overheating.

Whether an offence has occurred depends on the circumstances, including the time of day, duration of the walk, condition of the dog and whether reasonable precautions were taken.

Can someone really be fined €50,000?

Potentially, yes. Serious infringements under Spain’s Animal Welfare Law can carry fines of between €10,001 and €50,000 where negligence results in significant harm to an animal.

What is the safest time to walk a dog during summer?

Early morning and late evening are generally the safest times, when temperatures are lower and pavements are less likely to cause burns.

How can owners tell if the pavement is too hot?

A common guideline is to place the back of your hand on the surface for several seconds. If it feels uncomfortably hot, it may also be too hot for a dog’s paws.

What is the biggest danger during extreme heat?

Heatstroke is one of the most serious risks. It can develop rapidly and requires immediate action and veterinary treatment.

A reminder for pet owners

As Spain enters another summer of high temperatures, veterinarians and animal welfare organisations continue to stress the importance of prevention. While the law does not specifically ban dog walks during hot weather, owners are expected to act responsibly and avoid exposing animals to conditions that could jeopardise their health.

By adjusting walking times, providing plenty of water and recognising the signs of heatstroke, residents can help ensure their pets remain safe throughout the hottest months of the year while complying with their responsibilities under Spanish law.