Caleta de Famara Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Famara, Playa de Famara
Caleta de Famara is the most dramatic day anchorage in the Canaries — a long Atlantic surf beach at the foot of the 400m Famara cliffs on the NW coast of Lanzarote. The beach is a world-famous surf spot (consistent NW Atlantic swell) and paragliding site. For sailors, it's a day stop only except in settled summer conditions — the anchorage is open to the N and W. The small fishing village of Famara at the N end of the beach has a handful of surf restaurants and the authentic Canarian atmosphere that Lanzarote's tourist south lacks entirely. Best approached on a settled summer afternoon.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
29°06.8'N 013°33.6'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent HoldingProtected From
E, SE, S
Exposed To
N, NW, W
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m for 3–8m on clean beach sand. Excellent holding but DAY ANCHORAGE in most conditions — fully exposed to N/NW Atlantic swell.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 3–8m on clean sand in the bay below the Famara cliffs. This is a DAY ANCHORAGE ONLY — open to the N and W, exposed to any N Atlantic swell. The 400m Risco de Famara cliff face behind the beach creates spectacular thermal lift and is one of the best paragliding sites in Europe. In calm summer conditions, overnight is possible, but check the NW swell forecast carefully.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Caleta de Famara is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly — at 3–8m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (56m chain at 8m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds moderate throttle astern.
- Take a GPS bearing — note position once set and confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Caleta de Famara are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to N and NW and W winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m for 3–8m on clean beach sand. Excellent holding but DAY ANCHORAGE in most conditions — fully exposed to N/NW Atlantic swell.
Day anchorage May–October in settled conditions. Overnight only in completely calm high summer (July–August) when NW swell is low.
Navigation Hazards
- N Atlantic swell — day anchorage only in all but settled summer conditions
- Surf zone along entire beach — anchor S end only
- Strong NE trade wind funnelled through the channel between La Graciosa and Lanzarote
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Surf zone exclusion — keep well S of the main surf break. Speed limit 3 kt within 200m of beach. Chinijo Archipelago protected area begins just N.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Arrecife (12nm)
- Restaurant: Two surf restaurants in the village open for lunch. No evening service.
- Provisions: None on site — Arrecife (12nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Day stop only: arrive by 09:00 on a calm summer day, leave before the NE trade builds in the afternoon.
- The cliffs above give fantastic aerial views — worth the 30-minute hike from the beach.
- Genuine Canarian fishing village — one of the few on Lanzarote not dominated by tourism.
A note on this guide: Data researched from multiple sailing sources and provided in good faith. Always check current weather, AEMET forecasts, and VHF weather bulletins before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Caleta de Famara
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — essential in the Canaries where trade wind chop can make a comfortable anchorage suddenly uncomfortable.
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