Best Anchorages on the Costa Blanca
From Denia to Alicante, the Costa Blanca offers rocky coves, the dramatic Peñón de Ifach, Spain's only marine reserve island (Tabarca), and warm waters. These 7 anchorages have been verified for depth, holding, Posidonia rules, and anchor alarm radius.
Free
Anchoring in most bays
€200k
Max Posidonia fine (Javea)
Restricted
Anchoring zones at Tabarca
May–Oct
Best sailing season
Posidonia & Tabarca Marine Reserve — Critical Rules
Posidonia oceanica is strictly protected throughout the Costa Blanca. Around Javea (Xàbia), fines up to €200,000 are actively enforced — the Generalitat Valenciana runs regular inspection boats during summer. Use the free DONIA app to identify sandy anchoring patches. Tabarca Island is Spain's first designated marine reserve — anchoring is restricted to specific zones only. Contact the Tabarca reserve authority on VHF Ch 16 before anchoring to confirm current permitted zones.
About Sailing the Costa Blanca
The Levante
The Levante (E/NE wind) is the dominant coastal wind, blowing persistently at 25–35 kt during summer weather systems. When the Levante blows, W-facing bays like Cala Granadella and Cala del Moraig provide the best shelter. Plan passages to avoid the Levante — it generates short, steep seas that make upwind progress difficult.
The Poniente
The Poniente (W/SW sea breeze) is the summer afternoon wind, building from noon to 20 kt by 15:00. E-facing anchorages become uncomfortable as the Poniente pushes in afternoon swell. Plan to be anchored in W-facing coves by noon in summer.
Tabarca Marine Reserve
Tabarca is Spain's oldest marine reserve (declared 1986) and offers exceptional underwater visibility. Anchoring is restricted to designated zones — the reserve authority patrols actively. Mooring buoys are available for reserve users. Plan the visit for weekday mornings — weekends bring dozens of daytrip boats from Alicante.
Best Timing
May–June and September–October offer the best conditions: lighter Levante events, smaller crowds, and comfortable temperatures. July–August: intense heat, busy anchorages, and Levante systems can pin boats in marinas for days.
7 Verified Anchorages
Cala Granadella
(Cala la Granadella)Good HoldingJaveaCala Granadella is consistently rated the most beautiful natural anchorage on the Costa Blanca — a dramatic S-facing cove backed by the limestone cliffs of Cabo de la Nao, with crystal-clear water over sand and Posidonia.
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Cala del Moraig
(Cala Moraig)Fair HoldingBenitatxellCala del Moraig is famous for its sea cave (Cova del Moraig) — a 100m-long water-filled tunnel accessible by snorkel or dive, with a freshwater spring mixing with seawater inside.
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Moraira Bay
(Bahía de Moraira)Good HoldingMorairaMoraira is the Costa Blanca's most upmarket sailing town — a low-rise resort with a good marina, quality provisioning, and a bay anchorage offering reasonable shelter.
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Calpe Bay
(Bahía de Calpe)Good HoldingCalpeCalpe Bay offers one of the most dramatic anchorage backdrops in Spain — the Peñón de Ifach, a 332m limestone rock jutting into the sea, dominates the scene.
Depth
5–14m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
110m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Altea Bay
(Bahía de Altea)Good HoldingAlteaAltea is one of the Costa Blanca's most charming towns — a whitewashed hillside village dominated by a blue-tiled dome church, with a pleasant bay anchorage below.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Tabarca Island
(Isla de Tabarca)Excellent HoldingAlicanteTabarca is Spain's only inhabited marine reserve island — a UNESCO-protected natural park 11nm from Alicante with 18th-century fortified walls, a small permanent population, and exceptional marine biodiversity.
Depth
4–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Very Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Denia Bay
(Bahía de Denia)Good HoldingDeniaDenia is the northern gateway to the Costa Blanca and the main ferry port for the Balearics (Ibiza, Mallorca).
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Costa Blanca Anchoring Rules — Summary
- !Posidonia: Strictly prohibited throughout Spain. Javea (Xàbia) area is actively patrolled — fines up to €200,000 enforced. Use the free DONIA app to locate sandy patches.
- !Tabarca Marine Reserve: Anchoring restricted to designated zones. Call VHF Ch 16 for current permitted zones. Mooring buoys available. No fishing, no diving without permit.
- !Levante watch: E/NE wind 25–35 kt. When Levante is running, use W-facing bays only. Persistently rough seas on the E coast — alternative marinas at Denia, Javea, Calpe, Altea, Alicante.
- !COLREGS Rule 30: All-round white anchor light required at night. Set a GPS anchor alarm before going below.
Monitor Your Anchor Overnight
Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position continuously and sounds an instant alert if your boat drifts outside your set radius — essential when the Costa Blanca Levante arrives unexpectedly overnight.
Download Free for iOS