Cala Macarella Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Macarella, Cala Macarella Menorca
Cala Macarella is arguably the most beautiful anchorage in Menorca — a turquoise horseshoe bay cut into pale limestone cliffs, with a white sand beach at its head. The colour of the water results from the shallow Posidonia meadows filtering the light. The cliffs provide excellent shelter from the Tramuntana, making this a reliable summer anchorage in all but southerly conditions. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the bay is subject to strict Posidonia protection and is one of the 9 LIFE POSIDONIA mandatory buoy zones. From June to September, peak-season crowds arrive from the road behind — get here before 10:00 for the best position.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
39°53.2'N 003°49.7'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand, Posidonia patches
Holding
Good HoldingProtected From
N, NE, NW, E, W
Exposed To
S, SW, SE
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free outside buoy season. Buoys mandatory 15 Jun – 30 Sep
Mooring Buoys
Yes — €20–50/night (LIFE POSIDONIA buoys, 15 Jun – 30 Sep). Book via balearslifeposidonia.eu
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m covers typical swing at 3–8m depth with 7:1 scope, accounting for wind-shift oscillation in the enclosed bay. Reduce to 60m in calm settled conditions. In July–August when buoys are in use, the mooring radius is 35m per buoy.
Bay main anchorage (free-swinging): 75m recommended — Anchor in the central to eastern half of the bay in 3–6m on sandy patches between Posidonia meadows.
Mandatory buoy zone (LIFE POSIDONIA): 35m recommended — From 15 Jun – 30 Sep, a LIFE POSIDONIA mandatory mooring zone operates in the inner bay.
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. Mandatory mooring buoys operate here 15 Jun – 30 Sep. Book via balearslifeposidonia.eu up to 20 days ahead.
Anchoring Zones
Cala Macarella 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: Bay main anchorage (free-swinging)
- Depth: 3–8m
- Bottom: sand, Posidonia patches
- Holding: Good Holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, W
- Exposed to: S, SW, SE
- Recommended alarm radius: 75m
Anchor in the central to eastern half of the bay in 3–6m on sandy patches between Posidonia meadows. Use the DONIA app to identify the sandy corridor running down the centre of the bay. Holding is reliable where the anchor is properly set in sand, but Posidonia can cause dragging if the anchor skims over the surface — always verify by diving or snorkelling before setting the alarm. The bay is enclosed on three sides by limestone cliffs 20–40m high which deflect the Tramuntana. Open to S/SE — avoid in southern swell or Sirocco conditions.
Zone 2: Mandatory buoy zone (LIFE POSIDONIA)
- Depth: 3–6m
- Bottom: Posidonia
- Holding: Excellent Holding
- Protected from: N, NE, NW, E, W
- Exposed to: S, SW, SE
- Recommended alarm radius: 35m
From 15 Jun – 30 Sep, a LIFE POSIDONIA mandatory mooring zone operates in the inner bay. Mooring buoys (€20–50/night) must be used within the designated area — free anchoring is prohibited. Book via balearslifeposidonia.eu up to 20 days ahead. In peak season (Jul–Aug), all buoys are typically reserved by 08:00 — arrive early or have a fallback bay.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Cala Macarella is primarily sand and Posidonia patches 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 Macarella are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SW and SE winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 75m radius before going below for the night. 75m covers typical swing at 3–8m depth with 7:1 scope, accounting for wind-shift oscillation in the enclosed bay. Reduce to 60m in calm settled conditions. In July–August when buoys are in use, the mooring radius is 35m per buoy.
May–June and September–October are ideal — Tramuntana is lighter, fewer crowds, and buoy rules are relaxed. July–August: intense crowds, mandatory buoys, 08:00 early arrival critical. Avoid November–April when Tramuntana can reach 60kt.
Navigation Hazards
- Posidonia throughout bay — use DONIA app to locate sandy patches before anchoring
- Day tripper boats and inflatables create heavy wash 09:00–18:00 in Jul–Aug
- Sirocco (SE/S swell) can penetrate within 2–3 hours — monitor Met Office Balearics forecasts
- Very narrow road above — jet skis and rental boats operate from beach Jun–Sep
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free outside buoy season. Buoys mandatory 15 Jun – 30 Sep
- Mooring buoys: €20–50/night (LIFE POSIDONIA buoys, 15 Jun – 30 Sep). Book via balearslifeposidonia.eu
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Key restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia — fines up to €600,000 in Menorca UNESCO zone. Mandatory buoy use 15 Jun – 30 Sep within designated area.
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: Ciutadella (6nm)
- Restaurant: Two beach bar restaurants on the sand, open Jun–Sep. Cash preferred.
- Provisions: None on site — Ciutadella (6nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive before 09:30 in July–August to secure a buoy or a sandy patch in the outer third of the bay.
- Use the DONIA app (free, Spanish Government) before dropping anchor — the sandy corridor is clearly visible at the centre of the bay.
- The smaller Cala Macarelleta (500m east) often has space when Macarella is full — same protection, slightly shallower.
- In settled weather, stern-tie to the west cliff face in 5–8m is possible for boats up to 12m, giving more room.
- Check balearslifeposidonia.eu at least 20 days before peak season to reserve a buoy.
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 Macarella
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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