The Port Authority removes 'party boat' companies like Barca Samba from the area in front of the Auditorium

PalmBoats offering music and parties for tourists will no longer be allowed to operate from their traditional base in the port of Palma, opposite the Auditorium. The tender specifications issued by the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) for this space prohibit any activity that includes "parties or dances on board, with music produced by mechanical or electronic means, or through live performances by a musician or musicians." The tender also states that "activities, events, parties, or dances on board that, due to their nature, are annoying, harmful, unhealthy, or dangerous, or that significantly disrupt the peace, rest, or safety of users and the population of the city of Palma or the port of Palma" are also prohibited.

In this way, companies like the well-known Barca Samba, famous for its excursions around the Bay of Palma and which had accumulated complaints from residents, will no longer be able to moor in front of the Auditorium, in the place where boats used for recreational activities and outings for locals and tourists usually dock. For years, residents of Palma, especially from the Son Armadans neighborhood and the Paseo Marítim area, have repeatedly complained about noise, loud music, and disturbances coming from party boats that left the port of Palma and stayed close to the coast, with loudspeakers and music at full volume until the early hours of the morning. On some occasions, residents even shared testimonies on social media about how the impact of these activities affected their peace and quiet and their sleep.

The businessman who owns the Barca Samba is precisely qui managed a good part of the places in the Feixina Christmas marketHe goes alone manage 45 of the 60 positions The street market, presented as an initiative to promote local and traditional commerce, was criticized by local residents for not showcasing local crafts or produce. Instead, it featured a collection of offerings typical of Northern Europe, where such events are common. This business owner will have to cease operations in front of the Auditorium due to this change in conditions.

A climate of unease on the seafront promenade

The climate of complaints from residents and public discontent led the Palma City Council and the APB to include an explicit ban on the party boatsThese vessels are considered part of the noise problem and contribute to the disruption of the urban and maritime space. With the comprehensive reorganization of the Port of Palma, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has decided to prohibit any possibility of mooring these vessels in front of the Auditorium and is limiting their operations.

The new concession for managing vessel moorings at the local traffic docks of the Port of Palma is key to regulating passenger activity and maritime excursions within this integrated area. Unlike the previous system, the terms and conditions introduce criteria for urban coexistence and sustainability, such as the explicit prohibition of allowing mooring and embarkation and disembarkation operations for vessels included in the Consell de Mallorca's tourist registry that organize parties, music, and activities that are disruptive, harmful, and significantly disturb the peace. This includes playing music and live performances, as well as any activity that could compromise the safety and health of port and city users and residents. This measure reflects the express desire to ensure a use compatible with urban life and the integration of the port with the surrounding city.

An investment of 220 million

The overall redevelopment project represents an estimated investment of €220 to €240 million and will affect approximately 400,000 square meters. It is expected to be developed between 2026 and 2035 and includes, among other aspects, landscape integration, the recovery of public spaces, and a new structure of uses and mobility that connects the waterfront with the daily life of Palma. The goal, as stated by the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), is for the port to cease being perceived as a strictly industrial and maritime traffic infrastructure and to become part of the city's everyday landscape, with green spaces, promenades, and social and cultural activities that extend beyond its simple port functionality. The planned transformation of the port is not without public debate. Social organizations and stakeholders in the nautical sector have expressed concerns about how this plan will be implemented and which uses will take precedence, and have raised the need to reconcile economic competitiveness with urban quality of life. The reorganization of moorings and the regulation of maritime tourism activities are part of a broader strategic framework that seeks to consolidate the port as an economic engine, but also as a civic space integrated into Palma and its waterfront.