Why is Palma a refit base?
Hill Robinson, citing the Monaco Yacht Show's 2025 market report, says Spain now takes 20% of refits by yachts over 30 metres, and that Palma is the centre of that work. The firm puts it down to density: decades of skilled trades, specialist workshops and contractors gathered in one city. Hill Robinson also reports that more than 1,200 yachts pass through STP each year. For crew, that means a steady flow of yachts in yard periods, and a lot of work on the hard between October and May.
STP Shipyard Palma runs what it calls an open shipyard. The captain chooses which contractors to bring in, rather than taking a single yard workforce. STP lists more than 500 specialist companies, six travelifts up to 1,000 tonnes, seven dry dock pits, and capacity for yachts up to 120 metres. An expansion of close to eight million euros added five berths for yachts up to 110 metres. Astilleros de Mallorca, the other main yard, works on a full-service model.
The marinas and the season
Club de Mar sits a short walk from the city. Dockwalk lists 543 moorings there, more than 70 of them for superyachts, with berths for yachts up to 170 metres. Boat International reports a reconstruction worth around 100 million euros aimed at drawing more superyachts to Palma. STP has its own berthing area beside the city as well, so yachts in for work and yachts on the wall are close together.
The year runs in two halves. Hill Robinson says the refit season has traditionally run from October to May. YPI Crew puts the Mediterranean cruising season at roughly May to October, and names Palma, with Antibes, as a crew hotspot in the run-up. February to May is when YPI says new crew should search hardest, because yachts are filling posts and taking temporary crew to prepare for summer. In winter, YPI notes that shipyard periods still bring work, especially for engineers.
The crew community
Hill Robinson says the winter brings working crew infrastructure: training courses, crew accommodation and good flight links, which makes a five-month refit easier to live through. YPI names The Corner Bar, Cuba Bar and Havana Bar as places crew gather. Bluewater's Palma page lists Agua Bar, Ventura Harbor Bar and Shamrock Bar. Contacts made in those places matter, because a lot of short-notice work passes by word of mouth.
What a new arrival does first
Find a cheap bed among other crew. YaCrew lists Hostal Apuntadores, at C/Apuntadores 8, as a Palma crew house, and describes crew houses as affordable places to network. Then register with agencies that have a Palma desk. The Crew Network runs TCN Palma at C/ Porto Pi, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Erica Lay of EL CREW CO in Palma told Dockwalk that daywork is excellent for new crew, and that a few days can change your prospects. Each day of daywork gives you another line on the CV and another referee.
Be honest with yourself about the choice of town. YPI's interior recruiter says Antibes is the place for junior crew, because most agents meet and interview candidates there. Palma suits people who want refit work, deck and engineering daywork in the yards, and a city they can live in through the winter. If you sign on for daywork, Dockwalk quotes advice to agree contract dates, pay and hours in writing first.
What you need
- Savings to live onUK agency wilsonhalligan advised dayworkers to have enough money for roughly three months, covering accommodation, food, transport between marinas and social life.
- A complete, current CVYPI Crew recruiters put a complete and up-to-date CV first, and say crew should keep in regular contact with their recruiter.
- Being there in personErica Lay of EL CREW CO told Dockwalk that crew who can get to Palma or Antibes in person have the advantage.
- Agency registrationYPI advises registering with a few reputable agencies. TCN Palma is one agency with an office in the city.
- A written daywork agreementAdvice quoted by Dockwalk is to sign a daywork agreement with the yacht that sets out the dates, the pay and the working hours.
How to get there
- Before you flyTime your arrivalAim for February to May, when YPI Crew says yachts fill posts and take temporary crew before the Mediterranean season. Arriving during the October-to-May refit season gives you yard daywork too.
- Day 1Find a crew bedStay where other crew stay. YaCrew lists Hostal Apuntadores in Palma as a crew house, and Bluewater lists hostels and hotels near the waterfront.
- Week 1Register with local agenciesVisit agencies with Palma offices, such as TCN Palma at Porto Pi, and go through your CV with a recruiter face to face.
- Weeks 1-4Look for dayworkAsk for work around STP, Club de Mar and the other yards and marinas. Daywork builds references and contacts.
- Weeks 4-12Turn daywork into a postYPI's engineering recruiter says temporary work before the season leads to good references and, from there, a permanent post.
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Questions people ask
When is the best time to go to Palma to find yacht work?
YPI Crew says February to May is the best time to look for Mediterranean jobs, and names Palma as a hotspot for that period. The refit season runs from October to May, according to Hill Robinson, so there is yard work in winter as well.
Is there work in Palma in winter?
Yes. Hill Robinson says Palma's refit season has traditionally run from October to May, and that the town has crew accommodation, training and flights through the winter. YPI notes that shipyard periods keep engineers especially busy outside the main seasons.
What is STP in Palma?
STP Shipyard Palma is a refit and repair yard in the city. It runs an open-yard model, so captains choose their own contractors from more than 500 specialist companies. It handles yachts up to 120 metres and 1,000 tonnes.
Where do new crew stay in Palma?
Most stay in crew houses or hostels to keep costs down and meet other crew. YaCrew lists Hostal Apuntadores as a Palma crew house. Bluewater's Palma guide also lists hostels and hotels near the waterfront.
Is Palma or Antibes better for a first job?
YPI's interior recruiter says Antibes is the place for junior crew, because most agents meet and interview candidates there. Palma suits crew looking for refit and yard daywork, and those who want a city to live in through the winter.
How much money should I bring?
There is no fixed figure. UK agency wilsonhalligan advised dayworkers to save enough for roughly three months of accommodation, food, transport to marinas and social life.
Sources
- Hill Robinson: why Palma is still a leading hub for superyacht refit
- Hill Robinson: STP expansion in Palma
- STP Shipyard Palma: home page and facilities
- Dockwalk Superports: Club de Mar
- Boat International: Club de Mar-Mallorca interview
- YPI Crew: the main yachting seasons
- YPI Crew: yacht crew hubs
- The Crew Network: TCN Palma office
- Dockwalk: how dayworking helps new crew
- YaCrew: crew houses
