Byala Bay
Бяла · Byala · Biala
42°52.3'N 27°54.7'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
95m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
95m
95m for good holding on sand/mud in 4–10m. Open to NE — monitor conditions. The white chalk cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop and some wind deflection from the north. In sustained NE above F5, proceed south to Sveti Vlas Marina.
About This Anchorage
Byala ('White' in Bulgarian) is a small Black Sea resort town north of Emine Cape, notable for its striking white chalk cliffs that tumble into the sea — a geological curiosity on a coast more typically characterised by sandy beaches. The cliffs create a picturesque harbour approach and provide partial wind deflection. The town itself is an unpretentious Bulgarian seaside resort — nothing of the scale of Sunny Beach, with a genuinely pleasant character and good fish restaurants. The bay provides a practical overnight anchorage on the passage between Emine Cape and Varna, with reasonable holding on sand and mud. The approach from sea is straightforward with good water depth. The white cliffs glow at sunset, making this one of the more photogenic anchorages on the central Bulgarian coast.
Protected From
W · NW · SW
Exposed To
E · NE · N
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; small harbour berth fees approx BGN 15–20/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Check harbour master on VHF before entering harbour. Speed limits in harbour.
Hazards
- !Open to E and NE — uncomfortable in strong NE conditions
- !Shallow coastal patches near the cliffs — approach from open water
- !White cliff face — unstable in places; do not anchor close under cliffs
Skipper's Tips
- →The white cliffs are extraordinary — different from the limestone capes further north
- →Good provisioning stop between Emine Cape and Varna passages
- →Byala town restaurants are excellent and affordable — fresh Black Sea fish
- →The cliff walk above town gives panoramic views over the bay
Facilities
Beach restaurants and cafés in Byala. Small supermarket. No fuel dock — nearest at Sveti Vlas Marina (15nm).
Nearest provisions: Byala town (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
June–September. Practical overnight stop on the coastal passage. White cliff scenery makes this a worthwhile destination in its own right.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 95m
Black Sea NE winds and thunderstorms can develop quickly on the central Bulgarian coast. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously while you sleep anchored off the coast.
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