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ll boats coming to the Mediterranean generally pass through the port of Palma. An ideal stopover before crossing the Straits of Gibraltar to reach the Caribbean, Mallorca is strategically located between Europe and Africa, between Spain, France and Italy.
“Mallorca has always been popular in the sailing world,” explains Kate Branagh, event director of the Superyacht Cup, “but in recent years the island has become a major hub for superyachts, making this industry one of the most important economic sectors [on the island]”. Thanks to its sunny climate and central location to many European capitals, Mallorca hosts a large number of regattas throughout the season including the Superyacht Cup, Palma Vela and Copa del Rey. These conditions are appreciated by professionals, many of whom live on the island, and amateurs alike.
Mallorca is now home to large superyacht marinas, shipyards, crew agencies, crew training schools, a handful of crew houses and basically any other yachting service, you can ever dream of. For a long time, the port of Palma housed shipyards that built fishing boats, cargo ships, and some yachts. But the decline of fishing and the rise of yachting transformed the purpose of these shipyards.