X Travessia Badia de Palamós

On the morning of June 7, the Platja Gran de Palamós transforms into a hive of activity, organized by the local Club Natació Palamós and the town council. Swimmers gather before the pier, where the familiar, adrenaline-filled ritual of the traditional pier jump marks the start of the 10th edition of this event. As part of the official Circuit Català d'Aigües Obertes, the race draws a mix of local enthusiasts and those testing their speed over 1,000m, 2,500m, or the combined 3,500m distance. The atmosphere is grounded in the community’s long history with the Mediterranean, a relationship defined by centuries of maritime defense and trade.

Historical currents underfoot

While you navigate the bay, you are swimming through waters that were once a primary target for Mediterranean piracy. The coastline is watched over by the legacy of the Torre de la Creu del Castellar, a circular watchtower built on the Puig de la Creu del Castellar. This structure was designed to signal threats from the sea to the inland valleys and the monastery of Romanyà de la Selva, serving as the most far-reaching point of surveillance in the Calonge territory. Further along the coastline, the Torre Lloreta stands at the confluence of the Riera del Tinar and Riera del Junco, a royal outpost intended to monitor local barons and coordinate defensive fire patterns along the shore. The defensive architecture of the region extends inland to the Benedormiens Castle, documented since 1041 as a stronghold granted to the monastery of Sant Feliu de Guíxols to protect the Vall d'Aro. While you focus on your stroke, these stone sentinels remain permanent fixtures overlooking your path. Archaeological traces of the 1st-century Roman villa of Pla de Palol and the ancient Cova dels Moros dolmen remind swimmers that this bay has been a hub of human habitation for millennia. Those seeking more coastal challenges in the area can look to the Marnaton eDreams in Sant Feliu de Guíxols held later in June or the winter swims in Platja d'Aro for a different seasonal character. The bay itself is calm, offering a controlled environment for the race, though the proximity to the historic landmarks provides a sense of the scale of the coastline. Logistics are handled locally, with wetsuit rentals available through a partnership with the specialized store Esportissim for those who require equipment for the 3.0 mm Sailfish Ignite 2 models often used in these conditions.