La Graciosa — Caleta del Sebo Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Caleta de Sebo, La Graciosa anchorage
La Graciosa is the only inhabited island in the Chinijo Archipelago and offers the finest free anchorage in the Canary Islands. The El Río lagoon between La Graciosa and Lanzarote is sheltered from the dominant NE trades by both Lanzarote's mountains and La Graciosa's low hills. The village of Caleta del Sebo has no cars, sand streets, and a handful of excellent fish restaurants. The anchorage is clean volcanic sand throughout — no Posidonia risk — and holding is superb. A dinghy landing on the village pier gives access to the island on foot or by rental bike. The national park status means no development beyond the two villages — it's the most 'away from it all' anchorage within a day's sail of a major Spanish port.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
29°14.0'N 013°30.2'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent HoldingProtected From
W, SW, S, SE, NW
Exposed To
N, NE, E
Best Months
March, April, May, September, October, November
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m for 3–8m on clean sand. Excellent holding in volcanic sand. The alarm monitors NE trade swell penetration — not dragging risk.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 3–7m on clean white sand NE or N of the village pier, keeping clear of the ferry route. The El Río Channel between La Graciosa and Lanzarote gives excellent protection from the W and reduces the NE trade wind swell significantly. In NE trades the anchorage can have a gentle chop — comfortable but not perfectly flat. The sand bottom throughout the lagoon is reliably clean with no Posidonia (the lagoon floor is volcanic sand). Holding is excellent throughout.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at La Graciosa — Caleta del Sebo 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, Mantus, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at La Graciosa — Caleta del Sebo are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to N and NE and E winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below. 85m for 3–8m on clean sand. Excellent holding in volcanic sand. The alarm monitors NE trade swell penetration — not dragging risk.
Year-round destination. March–May quietest and most comfortable. November is ARC season and busier. December–February: possible N Atlantic swell episodes but anchorage usually comfortable.
Navigation Hazards
- NE trade wind chop in El Río Channel — can be lumpy in strong trades
- Ferry wake from Órzola–La Graciosa service (early morning and evening)
- National park rules strictly enforced
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Chinijo Archipelago National Park: No landing on uninhabited islands without permit. No fires on beach. Keep clear of ferry approach route (marked). No anchoring within 100m of beach.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Caleta del Sebo village (0nm)
- Restaurant: 3–4 authentic fish restaurants in the village. Best grilled fish in the Canaries. Open year-round but some close Monday.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Approach from Órzola on Lanzarote. The channel narrows to 0.7nm — enter on the W side to clear the shoals on the La Graciosa shore.
- Anchor as far N of the village as practical to avoid the ferry wake and morning fish boats.
- Rent bikes from the village to cross the island to Playa de las Conchas — the most spectacular beach in the Canaries.
- November–December: ARC fleet passes through — the anchorage is busiest in the lead-up to the ARC start in Las Palmas.
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 La Graciosa — Caleta del Sebo
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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