Pitragā Cove Anchorage
Pitraga bay · Livonian Coast — Pitraga
57°43.1'N 22°32.9'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for good sandy holding in 3–8m. The small headland provides marginally better protection than the fully open coast, but this anchorage is still exposed to W and N. Only suitable in settled conditions. Cape Kolka is 5nm to the north — the cape's weather effects extend to this area. Set anchor with maximum scope.
About This Anchorage
Pitragā cove is a small natural feature on the Livonian Heritage Coast between Mazirbe and Cape Kolka — one of the final anchorages before the dramatic headland of Kolkasrags. The cove benefits from marginal shelter from a small headland to the northwest, making it slightly more comfortable than the fully open coast anchorages further south on this stretch. The surrounding landscape is part of the Slītere National Park — ancient pine and deciduous forest backing a narrow sandy beach, with the distinctive Blue Hills (Zilais kalns) visible inland. The village of Pitraga is tiny — a handful of traditional Livonian farmhouses amid the pines, with no tourist infrastructure. The anchorage is most valuable as a staging point for rounding Cape Kolka: close enough to the cape to make an early-morning departure feasible, with enough shelter (in the right conditions) for a short overnight rest before the rounding. For sailors making the passage from the open Baltic to the Gulf of Riga (or vice versa), Pitragā cove represents the last practical anchorage before committing to the cape passage. The wild landscape, the Livonian cultural heritage, and the dramatic proximity to Kolkasrags make it one of the more memorable stops in Latvian waters.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW · N
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Slītere National Park — no fires on beach; respect protected areas and nesting birds.
Hazards
- !Cape Kolka proximity — weather effects and wind acceleration from the cape reach this area
- !Exposed to W, NW, and N — untenable in any westerly above F2–3
- !Remote — plan Cape Kolka rounding before committing to anchor here
- !Sandbar hazards near Kolka (5nm north) — up-to-date chart essential
Skipper's Tips
- →Arrive here in the afternoon after checking the morning weather — stage for a dawn Kolka rounding
- →Set anchor as firmly as possible — the cape can generate rapid weather changes at this distance
- →Monitor VHF Ch 16 continuously — check conditions every 2 hours if staying overnight
- →Mazirbe (3nm south) is culturally worth visiting before staging here
- →The early morning view of Cape Kolka lighthouse from the water is extraordinary — one of the Baltic's great sailing moments
Facilities
No facilities. Nearest provisions at Roja (17nm south, via Cape Kolka passage) or Mazirbe (3nm south on same coast).
Nearest provisions: Mazirbe (3nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August in settled conditions only. Primarily a staging anchorage for Cape Kolka rounding. For experienced sailors only. Monitor the forecast continuously — conditions near the cape can change within hours.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
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