Altea Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Bahía de Altea, Altea anchorage
Altea 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. Less dramatic than Calpe or Javea but a practical overnight stop with good facilities. The shingle and sand mix gives acceptable holding. The old town (pueblo blanco) above the bay is worth an evening dinghy landing and climb.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
38°35.9'N 000°03.1'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand, shingle
Holding
Good HoldingProtected From
N, NW, NE, E
Exposed To
S, SW, W
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m for sand/shingle at 3–8m. Shingle gives slightly less reliable holding — use more scope (8:1) and verify.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 3–7m on sand and shingle S of the Altea lighthouse point. Holding is good in the sandy areas — shingle patches reduce holding quality. The bay offers better protection from Levante (NE/E) than exposed southern anchorages. Open to S/SW/W. A useful overnight stop on passage between Calpe and Alicante.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Altea Bay is primarily sand and shingle 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, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Altea Bay are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to S and SW and W winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 80m radius before going below. 80m for sand/shingle at 3–8m. Shingle gives slightly less reliable holding — use more scope (8:1) and verify.
April–October. Good year-round passage stop in settled conditions.
Navigation Hazards
- Shingle bottom reduces holding — use more scope than usual
- SW/W afternoon Poniente builds uncomfortable chop
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: No anchoring in marina approach zone (marked). Standard Posidonia rules.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant: Good restaurants in old town (20 min walk uphill).
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- The old town (pueblo blanco) above is one of the most unspoiled villages on the Costa Blanca — worth the climb.
- Useful provisioning stop on the Alicante–Javea passage.
A note on this guide: Data researched from multiple sailing sources and provided in good faith. Always check current weather, NAVTEX bulletins, and the DONIA app for Posidonia mapping before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Altea Bay
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