At Meet the Sea, we believe that understanding the sea means understanding the people whose lives have been shaped by it.
For the first episode of our new podcast series, recorded aboard our boat in the waters of Cala Roja beneath the historic Torre d’en Rovira, we had the privilege of welcoming one of Ibiza’s most fascinating storytellers: Carlos Martorell.
Few people have witnessed Ibiza’s transformation as closely as Carlos. Arriving on the island in 1963, long before international tourism, luxury yachts and global fame, he experienced a very different Ibiza: an island of fishermen, farmers, artists and dreamers.
Many readers will know Carlos as the author of Réquiem por Peter Pan en Ibiza, a novel inspired by real events and characters from the island’s extraordinary past. Others will know him as one of the most influential public relations figures in Spain, responsible for landmark events, luxury brand launches and the introduction of countless personalities to Ibiza.
During our conversation, Carlos shared remarkable memories of arriving in a virtually untouched Ibiza. He described San Antonio Bay before development, when dolphins could be seen close to the coast and the island felt almost deserted.
He recalled organising one of the first publicity trips that would help introduce Ibiza to a wider audience. What began as an adventurous journey for a group of young people from Barcelona eventually attracted the attention of Ricardo Urgell, who would later open the first Pacha Ibiza and help shape the island’s nightlife culture.
Yet beyond the stories of parties, celebrities and cultural change, a deeper theme emerged throughout the conversation: the sea.
For Carlos, the Mediterranean has always been the true treasure of Ibiza.
One of the most striking moments of the interview was his recollection of the “Funeral for the Mediterranean” organised in 1978. At a time when environmental awareness was almost non-existent, Carlos created a symbolic performance warning that uncontrolled tourism could one day threaten the marine environment that made Ibiza special.
Many people misunderstood the message at the time. Yet nearly five decades later, concerns about plastic pollution, wastewater, overcrowding and the loss of marine biodiversity have become central issues for the island.
Carlos reflected on the changes he has witnessed firsthand. He remembers swimming among abundant sea urchins and starfish, diving into pristine waters and experiencing a Mediterranean that felt limitless and untouched. Today, he worries about declining water quality and the pressures created by the island’s extraordinary success.
His words resonated strongly with our mission at Meet the Sea.
Every day, we introduce families and children to the wonders of Ibiza’s marine environment. We teach marine biodiversity, organise snorkelling experiences, explore hidden coves and encourage a deeper connection with the sea. The hope is simple: people protect what they understand and love.
Listening to Carlos, it became clear that the challenges facing the Mediterranean today are not new. The warnings existed decades ago. What has changed is that we now have a greater responsibility—and perhaps a greater opportunity—to act.
Carlos recently reflected on the experience of recording this conversation in his own blog, where he describes the interview and shares additional memories of Ibiza’s remarkable past. We encourage readers to explore his article and discover another perspective on the island’s evolution.
The conversation reminds us that Ibiza’s future depends not only on preserving its culture and history, but also on protecting the sea that has always defined it.
Because without the Mediterranean, there is no Ibiza.
Listen to the full podcast here:
Read Carlos Martorell’s article here:
https://elobservadorsolitario.blogspot.com/2026/05/me-entrevistaron-para-un-podcast-en.html
