Cala Saona Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Saona, Cala Saona Formentera
Cala Saona is Formentera's most dramatic western anchorage, backed by ochre-red cliffs and pines that glow in the late afternoon sun. The bay opens W, making it a spectacular evening anchorage when the sun sets directly into the water ahead. The bottom is mostly sandy with Posidonia patches — significantly less Posidonia enforcement pressure here than at S'Espalmador, though the rules apply equally. A small hotel and two beach bars provide the only facilities on this otherwise undeveloped stretch of the W Formentera coast.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
38°42.4'N 001°22.8'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, Posidonia patches
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
90m covers 4–10m depth with 7:1 scope and easterly swing buffer. In afternoon Ponent, the fetch from W is open — boats swing and the alarm radius should be set to 100m if W is forecast overnight.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreePosidonia 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.
The Anchorage
Anchor in 4–7m on the sandy patches in the central and southern portions of the bay. The bay faces W — good shelter from E/NE but fully exposed to afternoon Ponent and any westerly weather. The cliffs at the bay head (N side) reach 40m and deflect some northerly component to the wind. In summer, Ponent builds in the afternoon (12:00–18:00) from 10 to 25kt — if anchored by late morning, the fetch inside the bay is limited and the chop is manageable. Overnight is comfortable in settled weather with no W forecast.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Cala Saona 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 4–10m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m 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, Delta. See our guide to anchor types by bottom for detailed comparisons.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Cala Saona are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to W and SW and NW winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below for the night. 90m covers 4–10m depth with 7:1 scope and easterly swing buffer. In afternoon Ponent, the fetch from W is open — boats swing and the alarm radius should be set to 100m if W is forecast overnight.
May–June and September ideal. July–August acceptable in morning but Ponent afternoon requires monitoring. Avoid any westerly weather windows.
Navigation Hazards
- Open to W — afternoon Ponent (W) builds to 20+ kt; overnight in strong W forecast not recommended
- Posidonia patches throughout — DONIA app recommended
- Rocks extend from the northern headland — maintain 50m clearance on approach
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Maximum stay: 5 days
- Key restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. Verify LIFE POSIDONIA zone status — Formentera penalties up to €450,000.
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: La Savina (Formentera) (8nm)
- Restaurant: Two beach bars open Jun–Sep. Hotel bar open to visiting sailors.
- Provisions: None on site — La Savina (Formentera) (8nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Anchor in the morning before Ponent fills in — the bay is glassy until noon.
- Sunset here is spectacular — anchoring for sundowners then moving to a more sheltered overnight position (La Savina, S'Espalmador E side) is a popular strategy.
- The red sandstone cliffs make this one of the most photographed bays in Formentera — worth the visit even just for lunch.
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 Saona
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.
Download Free for iOS