Two tall-masted ships dominate the centre of the harbour, their dark hulls anchored side by side and their rigging rendered in swift, confident lines. The water reflects the hulls and the sky above, broken by energetic brushstrokes that create a shimmering, lively surface. The sky is a pale, almost milky blue, with subtle hints of cloud and sunlight diffused across the upper half of the painting.

Sorolla uses thick, textured strokes to build up the forms of the boats and the water, giving the surface a sense of immediacy and movement. The composition is balanced by the verticals of the masts and the horizontal sweep of the waterline, guiding the viewer’s gaze through the busy harbour scene. Bright dabs of colour on clothing and boats animate the otherwise restrained palette of soft blues, greys, and browns.

Near the red boat, a blue and white dinghy is tethered, its hull catching light reflections from the water. Several figures in blue and red clothing are gathered on a dark rowboat to the right of the central ships, some seated and some standing. A pale seagull glides low over the water in the lower left quadrant of the painting.

In the distant left background, a white sailboat with a reddish sail is visible, its form softened by atmospheric haze. The far shoreline is rendered in muted greys and browns, forming a gentle, undulating horizon across the background. The upper left corner contains a faint, vertical scratch or mark in the paint surface.

Light falls most strongly on the water immediately in front of the boats, creating turquoise and white highlights that contrast with the darker reflections. The paint is applied in loose, rapid strokes, especially in the depiction of the water and sky, giving a sense of spontaneity. The edges of the painting are roughly finished, with some areas of bare canvas or ground visible near the corners.

Fine, dark lines define the rigging and spars, contrasting with the thicker, more textured paint of the hulls and water. Small, indistinct boats and sails dot the distant water, painted with minimal detail to suggest depth and activity.