Tamariu Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Cala Tamariu
Tamariu is widely considered the most beautiful village anchorage on the Costa Brava — a tiny bay with an arc of pastel-coloured fishermen's houses, crystal-clear water, and the characteristic Catalan pine-covered headlands. The bay is small and fills quickly in summer. Posidonia is present but the sandy corridor through the bay is well-defined. An evening drink from the cockpit with the village lights reflecting in the flat-calm water is one of the most memorable Costa Brava experiences.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
41°54.5'N 003°12.8'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand, Posidonia
Holding
Good HoldingProtected From
N, NW, NE, W
Exposed To
S, SE
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m for compact bay at 2–5m. Very limited swinging room — if more than 8 boats present, anchor close together and keep radius tight.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreePosidonia Alert — Critical
Posidonia oceanica meadows are present in this anchorage. Before dropping anchor, use the free DONIA app to identify sandy patches. Anchoring on Posidonia is prohibited under EU law and Spanish Law 42/2007 — fines up to €200,000 in the Javea/Costa Brava region. Yellowish-green patches visible from the surface indicate Posidonia — do not anchor there.
The Anchorage
Anchor in 2–4m on sandy patches between Posidonia. The DONIA app shows a clear sandy corridor in the centre of the bay. Good holding where properly set in sand. Very compact bay — maximum 8–10 boats before it becomes crowded.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Tamariu is primarily sand and Posidonia with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly and check your depth sounder on the way in. At 2–5m, deploy at minimum 7:1 scope (35m chain at 5m 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.
- Snorkel to verify Posidonia-free hold. Visually confirm the anchor is buried in sand.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Tamariu are feasible but require monitoring. The anchorage is exposed to S and SE winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 60m radius before going below. 60m for compact bay at 2–5m. Very limited swinging room — if more than 8 boats present, anchor close together and keep radius tight.
May–October. Peak season extremely crowded — early September is the sweet spot.
Navigation Hazards
- Posidonia — DONIA app essential; sandy corridor is clear but narrow
- Very small bay — collision risk if crowded; leave if more than 8–10 boats
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. Very limited space — maximum 10 boats. Swimming zone exclusion in front of beach Jul–Aug.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Tamariu village (0nm)
- Restaurant: Three good restaurants on the waterfront. Can be accessed by dinghy.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Arrive before 09:00 in July–August or you won't find space.
- September and October are magical here — calm water, quiet village, excellent restaurants.
- A long-line stern-tie to the headland rocks is sometimes needed when the bay is full — have 30m of rope ready.
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 Tamariu
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.
Download Free for iOS