Built in 1995 on the historic Racó de l'Art — the stretch of coast where generations of Torredembarra fishermen had long practised their traditional drag-net fishing — Port de Torredembarra has grown into one of the Costa Dorada's most dynamic nautical destinations, combining a modern sports marina, a working fishing harbour and a rich calendar of regattas and maritime activities throughout the year.
Today the port is one of the newest and most modern marinas on the Catalan coast, with 695 moorings accommodating boats from 6 to 28 metres. Its 7,000 m² professional dry dock, equipped with a 50-tonne gantry crane and a 5-tonne static crane, is among the largest in the region. For visitors arriving by land rather than sea, the port's 4,000 m² commercial area — with waterfront restaurants, cafés and ice-cream parlours — is open year-round and makes a pleasant destination for an evening stroll or a leisurely lunch watching the boats come and go.
The fishing heritage is preserved through the Confraria de Pescadors de Torredembarra (Fishermen's Guild), which is headquartered at the port. Five quays totalling 410 metres serve the remaining artisanal fleet — a handful of boats that still head out at dawn, continuing a centuries-old fishing tradition. The port's fish market (llotja) remains active — the 2023 catch totalled 32,652 kg.
The port's most remarkable feature is the Biotop — the world's largest artificial reef made of natural stone. Standing 22 metres tall and spanning an area equivalent to a football pitch, this underwater mountain of 40,000 tonnes of 25-million-year-old limestone took 15 years to develop. Designated a no-fishing zone, the Biotop has become a thriving marine ecosystem: over 250 native species were identified in its first year, including 11 threatened and 9 protected species. Moon fish (Mola mola) — the world's largest bony fish — regularly visit as a cleaning station, and gorgonians, corals and nudibranchs have established naturally. The reef is accessible for scuba diving, freediving and snorkelling through authorised operators based in the port.
The Biotop is complemented by the Puertos de Vida (Ports of Life) initiative, developed with the NAR (Natural Art Reefs) association, which has replaced conventional moorings with ecological anchorages using biotope structures that serve as nurseries for fish fry. The port is recognised as Spain's first sports marina with a natural-space regeneration project.
Beyond ecology, the port is an active hub for maritime culture. The Roca Foradada Regatta, held annually in late June, is one of the Costa Dorada's signature sailing events. The Liga de Cruceros runs regular races through the season. Traditional maritime heritage is celebrated through courses and gatherings of Vela Llatina (Latin sailing) — the lateen-rigged boats that once defined Mediterranean trade — organised by the Orsapop Association. The Associació de Vogadors de Torredembarra preserves traditional rowing, and the Gussiaires de Baix a Mar maintain a fleet of 14 traditional boats and 2 Latin-sail vessels. In summer, the Roca Foradada Festival brings live music and culture to the waterfront.
