Some of the tourists ran for their lives, fearing the high-speed boat was going to crash on the beach and into the crowd.
Others who watched in disbelief took pictures and video footage on their mobile phones as the drama unfolded on the Costa del Sol.
The beach in Manilva, Malaga, was packed with families enjoying one of the hottest days of the year so far in Spain.
Many were lounging on sunbeds or towels, whilst others were swimming or paddling in the water and could easily have been hit by the speeding boat.
Police later posted their own footage of the Bond-style chase on their Twitter site, saying: “The drug trafficking organisations do everything for economic profit, putting people at constant risk.
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“On this occasion a supply boat crosses at full speed a beach full of people in Manilva, #Málaga. Although he tried to flee on foot, the pilot was arrested.”
The footage shows how sunbathers line the shoreline as the police helicopter chases the boat below and a number of people run away for fear of an escalating incident.
The boat gets closer to the beach and eventually lands on the sand.
The man inside, wearing black, then gets out and runs away.
Tourists on the beach are heard screaming and shouting “run!”
The police helicopter from the Spanish National Police had spotted the boat earlier.
Onlookers later praised the police for their swift action in catching and arresting the man.