Sant Feliu de Guíxols - Marnaton eDreams

In 1795, the Spanish warship Montañés slipped into the harbor of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, desperately seeking cover while pursued by a French squadron. As the crew readied their defenses, they unleashed a barrage of 1,100 cannonballs to hold their ground, turning the bay into a scene of intense naval warfare. Centuries earlier, the inhabitants had lived with similar urgency, constructing the Benedictine monastery in the 10th century as a fortified bulwark against Arab raids and rival monastic orders. Today, as you stand on the Platja de Sant Feliu preparing for your swim, the horizon is still dominated by the same landmarks that once guided lookout towers during these volatile centuries.

The view from the water

Navigating these waters brings you face-to-face with the Porta Ferrada, a pre-Romanesque facade from the 8th century that serves as a silent witness to the town's maritime evolution. As you move along the coastline, the silhouette of the Hermitage of Sant Elm rises on the cliffs above, a structure rebuilt after French forces leveled it in 1696. The seabed itself holds remnants of an even older timeline; the hill supporting the Maritime Rescue Museum sits atop an Iberian settlement dating back to the 5th century BC, where excavations have unearthed ceramics that connect the modern coastline to ancient Mediterranean trade routes.

Race day mechanics

Organized by MARNATON, the event offers distances of 1500m, 3500m, 6000m, and 10500m, catering to varying levels of endurance. The June date aligns with the start of the summer season, though water temperatures in the Catalan Mediterranean remain refreshing enough to often warrant the use of a wetsuit for comfort over longer distances. For those looking to bridge the gap between regional events, the X Travessia Badia de Palamós takes place just weeks prior, offering a complementary experience in nearby waters. Whether you are aiming for the 10.5km challenge or the shorter sprint, the route keeps you in close proximity to the historic fortifications that defined the survival of this bay for over a millennium.