Sa Riera Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Cala Sa Riera
Sa Riera is Begur's most accessible and practical anchorage — a wide sandy bay with clean sand bottom, good holding, and a small beach village with basic provisions. Less glamorous than Aiguablava but easier to anchor and often less crowded. The sand bottom extends throughout the bay without significant Posidonia, making it one of the most worry-free anchorages on the central Costa Brava. Protected from the Tramuntana by the Begur headland to the N.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
41°56.5'N 003°11.0'E
Depth
2–6m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent HoldingProtected From
N, NW, NE, W, SW
Exposed To
S, SE, E
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 throughout — the alarm is primarily an exposure monitor.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 2–5m on clean sand throughout the bay. No significant Posidonia — the sand is clean and consistently good holding. The bay is wider than Aiguablava and better protected from the NW. Open to S/SE. The small beach village has basic provisions.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Sa Riera 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 Sa Riera are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SE and E winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 65m radius before going below. 65m for clean sand at 2–6m. Excellent holding throughout — the alarm is primarily an exposure monitor.
May–October. Consistently manageable in summer — less extreme crowding than Aiguablava.
Navigation Hazards
- Open to SE afternoon sea breeze (Garbi) — can build 1m chop in the bay
- Boat launch ramp on N side — motor boat traffic during day
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: No anchoring within 50m of beach (swimming zone Jul–Aug). Standard Posidonia rules.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Sa Riera village (0nm)
- Restaurant: Two beach restaurants open Jun–Sep. Small provisions shop.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Best backup to Aiguablava when the famous bay is full — 2nm away, same conditions.
- The small supermarket in the village (5 min walk) is good for provisioning — rare for Costa Brava anchorages.
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 Sa Riera
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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