Cala Compte Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Cala Conta, Cales Blanques, Cala Compte Ibiza
Cala Compte is Ibiza's most celebrated west-facing sunset anchorage, a cluster of small bays and rocky islets with technicolour water and a soundtrack of chilled music from the famous Las Dalias beach bar. The small islands offshore (Illa des Bosc) create a partial W barrier, making this more sheltered from afternoon Ponent than Cala d'Hort. The bottom is mostly sand with Posidonia patches — easier to find sandy spots here than in the more Posidonia-dominated Ses Salines bays. An ideal evening anchor.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
38°53.8'N 001°12.8'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand, Posidonia
Holding
Good HoldingProtected From
N, NE, E, SE
Exposed To
W, SW, NW
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m for the N bay at 3–8m with standard 7:1 scope. The rocky islets (Illa des Bosc, Illa des Escull) to the W provide some W swell break — boats are often comfortable here even in light Ponent.
North bay (Cala Llentrisca / main anchorage): 80m recommended — Anchor in 3–6m in the sandy areas between the rocky outcrops and Posidonia beds.
South bay (Ses Variades): 95m recommended — The southern bay is deeper (4–10m) and sandier but more exposed to SW.
Posidonia Alert — Critical
Posidonia oceanica meadows are present in this anchorage. Before dropping anchor, use the free DONIA app (Spanish Government) to identify sandy patches. Anchoring on Posidonia is prohibited under EU law and Spanish Law 42/2007 — fines reach €450,000 in Formentera and €600,000 in Menorca's UNESCO zone.
Anchoring Zones
Cala Compte has 2 distinct anchoring zones, each with different depth, holding, and exposure characteristics. Choose the zone that matches your boat size and the expected overnight conditions.
Zone 1: North bay (Cala Llentrisca / main anchorage)
- Depth: 3–8m
- Bottom: sand, Posidonia
- Holding: Good Holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E, SE
- Exposed to: W, SW, NW
- Recommended alarm radius: 80m
Anchor in 3–6m in the sandy areas between the rocky outcrops and Posidonia beds. Three small sandy bays cluster around the main Cala Compte headland — the northern bay gives best Tramuntana shelter. Holding in sand is good. The DONIA app clearly shows the sandy corridors between Posidonia.
Zone 2: South bay (Ses Variades)
- Depth: 4–10m
- Bottom: sand, rock
- Holding: Fair Holding
- Protected from: N, NE, E
- Exposed to: S, SW, W
- Recommended alarm radius: 95m
The southern bay is deeper (4–10m) and sandier but more exposed to SW. Good for daytime but the extra depth requires more scope. Better option when N bay is full.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Cala Compte is primarily sand and Posidonia with reliable holding when properly set. Use the following approach:
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 3–8m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back — do not allow chain to pile on top of the anchor.
- Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds. The chain should tighten and the boat should stop moving back.
- Snorkel to verify Posidonia-free hold. Given the Posidonia present in this anchorage, it is strongly recommended to dive on the anchor and visually confirm it is buried in sand — not skimming over Posidonia meadows.
Recommended anchor types for this bottom: SPADE, Rocna, Mantus. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Cala Compte are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to W and SW and NW winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius before going below for the night. 80m for the N bay at 3–8m with standard 7:1 scope. The rocky islets (Illa des Bosc, Illa des Escull) to the W provide some W swell break — boats are often comfortable here even in light Ponent.
May–June for calm water and fewer crowds. September/October often better than July–August despite being technically off-peak. July–August: arrive very early, excessive crowds.
Navigation Hazards
- Very busy with day boats and motor yachts 10:00–18:00 in Jul–Aug — wash and noise
- Posidonia between bays — DONIA app essential
- Rocky islets on W approach — enter from S or N, not from the W
- Open to full W/NW overnight — not suitable in westerly weather
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. Fines up to €200,000 in Ibiza coastal zone.
For a full overview of Spanish anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Sant Antoni de Portmany (5nm)
- Restaurant: Beach bars including El Chiringuito open Jun–Sep (can be crowded). Sundownder boats play music from the water 17:00–21:00.
- Provisions: None on site — Sant Antoni de Portmany (5nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Anchor by 10:00 to secure a sandy spot before the day boats arrive.
- The sunset from the cockpit here with the Illes des Bosc silhouetted is one of the best in the Balearics.
- For a quieter nearby option, Cala Molí (2nm N) has similar protection with fewer day boats.
- Boat traffic noise continues until midnight in peak season — earplugs recommended if light sleeper.
A note on this guide: The data in this guide has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Anchorage conditions — depth, holding, local regulations, and Posidonia zone boundaries — can change. Before visiting, always check current weather forecasts, NAVTEX and VHF weather bulletins, the DONIA app for current Posidonia mapping, and balearslifeposidonia.eu for current mandatory buoy zone status. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Cala Compte
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously through the night and sounds a loud alarm the moment your boat drifts outside your set radius — so you can relax and enjoy the anchorage.
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