STCW, RYA Yachtmaster and superyacht crew training based in Palma de Mallorca — one of the Mediterranean's most active yachting hubs.
Book direct →The Nautical Academy — formerly trading as SOVREN Nautical Academy — is a maritime training school operating out of Palma de Mallorca, the beating heart of the Western Mediterranean superyacht industry. The academy delivers the full range of courses crew need to enter and progress in the professional yachting sector, from internationally recognised STCW Basic Safety Training through to RYA Yachtmaster certification.
With accreditation from both the Marshall Islands maritime authority and the Royal Yachting Association, The Nautical Academy is well placed to serve crew joining commercially operated vessels as well as those pursuing a recreational or professional sailing qualification. Its Palma base puts trainees within reach of charter fleets, superyacht refit yards and a large year-round crew placement community.
Whether you are a complete beginner looking to break into the industry via a deckhand or superyacht intro package, or an experienced seafarer refreshing your STCW certifications, the academy offers a practical, professionally focused route to getting your paperwork in order.
The internationally required safety foundation for anyone working aboard a commercially operated vessel. Covers personal survival, fire prevention and firefighting, first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities.
Book on The Nautical Academy →Advanced STCW modules and refresher courses for existing certificate holders. Keeps your mandatory safety credentials current and adds higher-level endorsements required for senior crew roles on commercial yachts.
Book on The Nautical Academy →RYA Yachtmaster and Officer of the Watch preparation and examination courses. A key qualification for deck officers and skippers aiming to take command of sailing or motor yachts in coastal and offshore passages.
Book on The Nautical Academy →Bundled entry-level programmes combining the core certificates needed to get your first deckhand position. Ideal for career changers and recent graduates looking to break into the superyacht industry from scratch.
Book on The Nautical Academy →Prices and dates are indicative — confirm directly with The Nautical Academy before booking.
A 3-star boutique hotel in a restored 16th-century palace in the heart of Palma's historic old town, a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral and Almudaina Royal Palace, with a courtyard breakfast terrace and antique-furnished rooms.
View options →A traditional Mallorcan guesthouse set in an old town house roughly 250 metres from Palma Port, with a rooftop terrace, garden, and free Wi-Fi — a budget-friendly city-centre option.
View options →An aparthotel in a centuries-old former textile factory building in central Palma, offering self-catering suites with kitchenettes, 8 minutes’ walk from Palma Port and 17 minutes’ walk from Palma Yacht Club.
View options →Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) — approximately 12 km east of the city centre. Bus line A1 runs every 15–20 minutes to Plaça d’Espanya, taking around 30 minutes and costing approx. €5. Taxi takes around 15–20 minutes and costs approx. €25–€35.
Palma Intermodal Station (Estació Intermodal), Plaça d’Espanya — central station in the city. Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) operates island-wide rail to Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor, plus a metro to the university. There is no high-speed or mainland rail link; the island’s rail network is local only. Travel to or from mainland Spain requires ferry or air.
Port of Palma de Mallorca (Estació Marítima). Operators: Baleària, Trasmediterránea, Grandi Navi Veloci. Routes: Barcelona–Palma (approx. 3h 30m–6h, year-round); Valencia–Palma (approx. 6h 45m–7h 30m, year-round); Dénia–Palma (approx. 5–6h, Baleària).
Search ferry routes →Mallorca is an island; cars must arrive by ferry from Barcelona, Valencia or Dénia, or be hired locally on arrival. The Ma-19 motorway connects the airport to Palma city centre in around 15–20 minutes. Paid parking is available throughout central Palma; the old town has limited street parking so car parks near Parc de la Mar are recommended.
Open in Maps →Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the Balearic island of Mallorca. There is no mainland rail connection — the island has its own local rail network (SFM) useful for reaching inland towns. The fastest mainland connection is by air (PMI); ferry is the car-friendly alternative from Barcelona, Valencia or Dénia. Price estimates are indicative and may vary by season.