Bulgaria — Varna Bay & Kaliakra Cape

Krapets Anchorage

Крапец · Krapets

43°36.6'N 28°33.6'E

Depth

37m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

100m

Holding

Fair

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

100m

100m for fair holding on sand in 3–7m. Sandy bottom without mud reduces holding — verify set carefully. This remote anchorage is only suitable in settled conditions; no protection from north or NE which are the prevailing summer winds.

About This Anchorage

Krapets is one of the most remote and undiscovered anchorages on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast — a tiny village just 7km from the Romanian border with a pristine beach and almost no tourist infrastructure. The anchorage offers access to a completely uncrowded stretch of Bulgarian coastline rarely visited by foreign sailors. The village itself is a genuine Bulgarian rural settlement, largely unchanged by the mass tourism that has transformed the resort areas to the south. The nearby Durankulak Lagoon — Bulgaria's largest coastal lake — is a Ramsar-designated wetland and one of Eastern Europe's most important bird migration stopover sites, with over 300 recorded species. For sailors seeking authentic, quiet Black Sea sailing far from the resort strips, Krapets provides a rare opportunity.

Protected From

W · SW · S

Exposed To

N · NE · E

Anchoring Rules

Anchoring fee
Free anchoring
Permit required
No

Restrictions: No restrictions on anchoring. Respect the adjacent Durankulak Lagoon bird reserve boundaries (marked on charts).

Hazards

  • !Fully exposed to N and NE — prevailing summer winds; settled conditions only
  • !Sandy bottom holding is fair — drag risk if conditions change overnight
  • !Remote location — no emergency services; nearest at Shabla or Varna
  • !Near Romanian border — do not cross maritime boundary inadvertently

Skipper's Tips

  • One of the most peaceful and authentic anchorages on the Bulgarian coast
  • Durankulak Lagoon birdwatching is world-class in spring and autumn migration
  • The beach is pristine — a rare find on any Black Sea coast
  • Monitor weather obsessively here — no escape in a NE blow
  • Stock up well at Shabla before heading to this remote anchorage

Facilities

Water Fuel Restaurant Provisions WiFi

Very limited village facilities. Small shop with basic provisions. Shabla (5nm) has better provisioning.

Nearest provisions: Shabla (5nm)

Best Months & Season

Jun, Jul, Aug

June–August only. Settled conditions essential. Remote anchorage requiring careful weather planning.

Recommended Anchor Types

Danforth (best in sand)DeltaCQR/plow

Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m

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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