A legacy of craftsmanship
Bellamar is a true local treasure, handcrafted in 1931 by the renowned master boat builder Joan Nadal in his workshop on Es Pianc beach in Cadaqués. Built originally as a recreational fishing boat, it represents a golden era of maritime construction, where quality was paramount.
Today, it stands as one of only about 30 surviving boats built by Nadal, serving as a rare, living piece of Cadaqués history that has witnessed the village’s transformation over the last century.
From Smuggling Tales to Artistic Inspiration Throughout its long life, Bellamar has lived many stories, from rumored involvement in tobacco smuggling across the French border in the 1940s to hosting the very first wave of tourists in the 1950s. In 1993, Bellamar was meticulously restored by Francesc "Quico" Despuig Carreras, a master of classic wooden boat building who revived Joan Nadal’s original workshop to ensure this local tradition would not be lost.
This dedication to preservation ensures that every voyage today carries the same authentic spirit that has defined the Cadaqués coastline for generations.
Reviving the Tradition Now under the care of Joel Despuig Reid (Quico’s son), Joy Giannaros (Joel’s wife) and Eduard Faro Costa, Bellamar Cadaqués was created to revive the wooden boat sailing tradition and with a commitment to authentic, slow-paced tourism in the Cap de Creus Natural Park.
As a classic lateen sailboat, Bellamar offers an unrivaled connection to the sea, allowing guests to slow down and explore the rugged cliffs and secret coves of the natural park - the same wild landscapes that once inspired Salvador Dalí.
Bellamar is more than just a boat; it is an invitation to slow down and experience the Mediterranean coastline of Cap de Creus exactly as it was meant to be enjoyed.
