Cala Fosca Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Cala Fosca Palamós, Cove de Fosca
Cala Fosca is the most sheltered and practical anchorage near Palamós — a compact bay with an excellent clean sand bottom, reliable holding, and good protection from the Tramuntana. Unlike many Costa Brava bays, Posidonia is minimal here, making it easy to anchor without concern. The Cap de Planes headland to the E and the resort apartments behind the beach give it a low-key atmosphere compared to the more celebrated Begur bays.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
41°51.2'N 003°07.2'E
Depth
2–6m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent HoldingProtected From
N, NW, NE, E, W
Exposed To
S, SE
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m for clean sand at 2–6m. Excellent holding — the alarm is primarily an S/SE exposure monitor.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 2–5m on clean sand throughout the bay. Holding is excellent and the bay is compact with good all-round protection except from the S. The rocky headlands to N and E create a natural wind shadow. The beach at the bay head dries at low water — avoid anchoring too close to the beach in depths under 2m.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Cala Fosca is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 2–6m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (42m chain at 6m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily as the boat drifts back.
- Set firmly in reverse. Apply moderate throttle astern for 30–60 seconds.
- Take a GPS bearing. Note your position once set and confirm adequate chain for the depth.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna, Delta, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Cala Fosca are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SE winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below. 65m for clean sand at 2–6m. Excellent holding — the alarm is primarily an S/SE exposure monitor.
May–October. Less crowded than Begur bays — often has space when others are full.
Navigation Hazards
- Open to S/SE — Garbi afternoon sea breeze builds swell into bay
- Beach exclusion zone shrinks anchoring area in Jul–Aug
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Swimming zone exclusion in front of beach Jul–Aug. No anchoring within 30m of beach.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Palamós (2nm)
- Restaurant: Beach bar and one restaurant in the residential complex behind the beach.
- Provisions: None on site — Palamós (2nm)
Skipper's Tips
- The most reliable sand anchorage near Palamós — good overnight stop when reprovisioning in Palamós (2nm, good supermarket).
- Palamós fish market is the best on the Costa Brava — worth the 2nm motor in for fresh red prawns.
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 can change. Always check current weather forecasts, NAVTEX and VHF weather 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 Cala Fosca
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.
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