⛵ 30th Diada de Vela Llatina · Traditional Sailing in Cala Gamba
More than 40 traditional boats – including several that are over 100 years old – take to the Bay of Palma for a very special anniversary this weekend.
From 11–13 September, Club Nàutic Cala Gamba celebrates the 30th edition of its Diada de Vela Llatina, three days dedicated to traditional lateen sailing, maritime heritage and the communities working to keep it alive.
What began primarily as a sporting competition has evolved over three decades into one of the Balearics’ important gatherings for traditional Mediterranean sailing and maritime conservation. This year, Menorca joins as the invited region, bringing together boats and organisations from across the islands.
More Than 40 Traditional Boats
One of the highlights of the anniversary edition is the extraordinary age of some of the participating vessels.
Around ten historic boats dating from the early 20th century are expected in Cala Gamba, including Na Paquita (1910), San Antonio de Padua (1911), N’Eolo (1915), Boeres (1920), El Único (1921), Avelira (1921) and Ferreret (1924).
They’ll be joined by Balear, the Consell de Mallorca’s traditional barca de bou built in 1924, as well as boats arriving from Menorca – including Maria i Antonio, dating all the way back to 1900.
This makes the Diada as much a living exhibition of Balearic maritime history as a sailing event.
Menorca Comes to Cala Gamba
This year’s special guest boat is Besitos, an 8.3-metre Menorcan llaüt built in 1966 by mestre d’aixa Joan Cerdà Cifre, known as “Nius”.
The boat belongs to Amics de la Mar de Menorca, an association that has spent more than three decades working to preserve the island’s maritime heritage. On Friday evening, the association will also give a talk about its work.
Programme Highlights
Friday 11 September begins with registration before a free-sailing session from 17:00–19:00. At 18:30, the watercolour exhibition Vent i Pigment by Juan V. Aguilar Caballero opens, followed by the official welcome and the talk by Amics de la Mar de Menorca.
On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13, the focus moves onto the water. Boats head out into the Bay of Palma at 11:00, with the warning signal for the regattas and gathering at 12:00.
Spectators can get closer to the action too: “Viu la Diada!” offers the opportunity to follow the traditional sailing from a spectator boat between 10:40 and 13:00 on both days, with limited places available.
Sunday concludes with a traditional fellowship lunch followed by the prize-giving at 15:30, including the Premi Mestre d’Aixa Miquel Llompart.
Good to Know
📅 Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September 2026
📍 Club Nàutic Cala Gamba & Bay of Palma
⛵ 30th anniversary edition
🚤 More than 40 traditional boats participating
🕰️ Around 10 century-old historic vessels
🏝️ Menorca is the invited region for 2026
🎨 Friday · Free sailing, exhibition & maritime heritage talk
⛵ Saturday & Sunday · Main sailing programme from 11:00
👀 “Viu la Diada!” spectator boat · 10:40–13:00 Saturday & Sunday
🎟️ Spectator boat places are limited
🏆 Sunday · Prize-giving at 15:30
If you’re around Palma this weekend, look towards the bay – some of the boats sailing past have been on Balearic waters for more than a century.
