Balchik Harbour Bay
Балчик · Balčik · Baltchik
43°24.9'N 28°09.7'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for good holding on mud/sand in 3–8m. Well sheltered from north and west — reasonable overnight anchorage. In strong NE, the bay becomes uncomfortable from fetch across the Black Sea. The small harbour breakwater provides additional protection for vessels berthed inside.
About This Anchorage
Balchik is one of the most charming and underrated towns on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Its fame among those who know it rests on a remarkable combination: the Summer Palace of Queen Marie of Romania (built 1924–1936) and its extraordinary botanical garden, carved into the white chalk cliffs above the sea. Queen Marie — granddaughter of both Queen Victoria and Tsar Alexander II — fell in love with the town and created a personal sanctuary of terraced gardens, chapels, and summer pavilions above the harbour. Today the palace and the 65,000-plant botanical garden are open to visitors. The old town below, with its white limestone houses cascading down to the water, has a distinctly un-commercial character. The small harbour has a marina facility, and the anchorage in the bay provides a peaceful overnight stop far from the noise of the main resort strip.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in bay; harbour berth fees approx BGN 15–25/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Harbour speed limit. Small commercial port traffic — check with harbour master on VHF. Entry formalities required if arriving directly from abroad.
Hazards
- !Open to E and NE — strong NE winds create uncomfortable chop in bay
- !Shallow coastal patches west of harbour — approach from east
- !No fuel dock — plan fuel needs; Varna (35nm) is nearest dock
Skipper's Tips
- →Queen Marie's Palace and botanical gardens are unmissable — allow half a day
- →The white chalk cliffs above Balchik glow at sunset — extraordinary light
- →The old town fish restaurants are excellent and very affordable by Western standards
- →Balchik hosts an international jazz festival in July — vibrant atmosphere
- →Good departure point for the 8nm passage south to Kavarna and Kaliakra Cape
Facilities
Town restaurants and cafés in old quarter. Supermarket within 500m. Fuel by can from town — nearest fuel dock at Varna (35nm).
Nearest provisions: Balchik town centre (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
May–September. Good overnight anchorage in calm to moderate conditions. Queen Marie's Palace is open May–October.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
On the Black Sea, NE winds and seiches can drag a poorly set anchor. Complete your entry formalities at Varna and then let Safety Anchor Alarm monitor your GPS position continuously while you rest.
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