Yacht Mooring in
Palma de Mallorca
A captain's guide to fenders, lines, and berthing in the Mediterranean's superyacht capital
Palma has more superyachts per square mile than almost anywhere on earth. During peak season — May through October — the marinas are packed, berths are tight, and the Tramontana can blow through with almost no warning. Standard fender setups that work fine in a quiet northern marina are often not enough here.
We've been supplying fenders and mooring gear to captains and charter operators in Mallorca since 1986. Here's what the experienced crews know that first-timers don't.
The Marinas — What to Expect at Each
Palma has four major yacht marinas, and each one presents different berthing challenges. Knowing what to expect before you arrive makes the difference between a clean approach and a stressful one.
The technical hub for superyacht refit and maintenance. Berths here tend to be larger and the wharfside is generally more industrial. Stern-to is standard. If you're here for a refit, fenders will be working hard — budget for neoprene covers as a minimum.
A prestigious marina close to the city centre. Berths are a mix of alongside and stern-to. Space between neighbours is tight at peak season. The dock edges are mostly concrete and stone — unforgiving if a fender slips or is undersized.
Central location, popular with charter yachts and private motor yachts alike. Predominantly stern-to with laid mooring lines. Well-run marina but very busy in summer — expect close neighbours and frequent wake from vessel movement.
Designed by Philippe Starck and one of the most visually striking marinas in the Med. Predominantly motor yachts, many in the 30–60m range. The floating docks are well-maintained but beam clearance between yachts is minimal at the larger berths.
The Tramontana — Why Palma Needs Bigger Fenders
The Tramontana is a cold, dry northerly wind that funnels down from the mountains and hits the Bay of Palma with surprising speed. It can go from flat calm to 30+ knots in under an hour. It arrives with little warning, especially in spring and autumn.
When the Tramontana is running, a yacht in a Palma stern-to berth experiences repeated lateral loading — particularly if moored on a northerly-facing quay. Undersized fenders compress fully on the first gust and leave your hull in direct contact with your neighbour or the dock. In Palma, the one-inch-per-four-feet rule is a floor, not a ceiling. Size up.
For yachts regularly berthing in Palma, we recommend sizing one step above the standard recommendation. A 50-foot yacht that would normally use 12" fenders should be running 14". A 65-footer on 14" fenders should be on 16". The extra diameter costs almost nothing relative to the gelcoat repair it prevents.
Fender Setup for Palma Berthing
Stern-to is the default at all four major Palma marinas. Here's how experienced captains set up for a typical summer berth in Palma.
- Minimum 4 fenders per side, ideally 5. Three is not enough in Palma — especially during charter season when the berths are dense and neighbouring boats are moving constantly. Deploy fenders at maximum beam and spread them along the hull to cover the full zone of potential contact.
- Set fender height to match your neighbour's rubbing strake or fender. In Palma's mixed-fleet marinas, you may be next to a 40m superyacht on one side and a 12m sailing yacht on the other. Your fenders need to be set at heights that cover both contact zones.
- Two stern quarter fenders — always. The concrete quays in Club de Mar and Marina Port de Mallorca are unforgiving. Position one fender on each quarter, angled to protect the transom platform and any bathing ladder fittings.
- Keep a roaming fender at hand during approach. Have one crew member ready to position a free fender wherever contact looks imminent. In a tight Palma berth with a crosswind, you will need it.
- Cross your stern lines. Port stern line to starboard quay cleat, starboard to port. This prevents the stern from swinging under Tramontana gusts. If the marina uses lazy lines from a bow mooring chain, have the foredeck crew ready well before you begin reversing in.
Neoprene covers are essential in Palma, not optional. With boats moving frequently in and out of adjacent berths, fenders rub constantly throughout the day even when your yacht is stationary. Bare PVC will leave marks on your topsides within weeks. Shop Fender Covers →
Recommended Fender Sizes for Palma
Based on the Tramontana factor and typical berth conditions across Palma's marinas, here are our size recommendations — sized one step above the standard rule to account for local conditions.
| Yacht LOA | Standard Rule | Palma Recommendation | Qty (Stern-To) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–40 ft | 8–10" | 12" (30 × 65 cm) | 3 per side + 2 stern |
| 40–55 ft | 10–12" | 14" (36 × 85 cm) | 4 per side + 2 stern |
| 55–70 ft | 12–14" | 16" (41 × 115 cm) | 5 per side + 2 stern |
| 70–100 ft | 16–18" | 20" (46 × 153 cm) | 6 per side + 2 stern |
| 100 ft+ | 20–24" | Contact us | Contact us |
Heavy-displacement motor yachts should size up again from the Palma recommendation. A 55ft trawler-style motor yacht carries significantly more displacement than a 55ft sailing yacht of the same length.
Mooring Lines for Palma
Palma's marinas use a mix of systems — some berths use laid mooring chains with lazy lines that you pick up from the bow, others require you to drop your own anchor as you reverse in. Confirm with the marinero before your approach which system your berth uses.
For stern lines, polyester is the right material for Palma. Nylon's stretch means your yacht will swing in the berth when the Tramontana arrives — which is precisely the moment you don't want movement. Low-stretch polyester keeps the yacht positioned precisely. All Yachtfend mooring lines and docklines are 100% polyester with a UV resistance rating of 9/10 — important in Mallorca's 300+ days of annual sunshine.
Shop Yachtfend Mooring Lines → | Shop Docklines →
Palma de Mallorca rewards preparation. The marinas are beautiful, well-run, and full of experienced crews — which means any mooring mistake is very public. The captains who moor cleanly here every time have two things in common: they size their fenders up for the Tramontana, and they use neoprene covers to protect their hull through a long, busy charter season.
If you're fitting out a yacht for a Palma season and aren't sure what you need, email us at sales@yachtfend.com with your yacht's LOA, beam, and displacement. We've been doing this since 1986.
Outfit Your Yacht for Palma
Fenders sized for Med conditions, neoprene covers, polyester mooring lines, and fender hooks for fast deployment. Everything from Yachtfend.