Cambrils Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Playa de Cambrils, Cambrils anchorage
Cambrils is a well-known Costa Daurada seaside town with a reputation for excellent seafood restaurants — the waterfront has been cited in the Michelin Guide. The anchorage off the beach N of the marina is straightforward in the morning calm but exposed to N and E. Primarily useful as a stopping point on passages between Barcelona and the Ebro Delta / Valencia, or as an alternative to the marina for a lunch stop with access to the town's famous restaurants. The Cambrils marina has good facilities and is a reliable overnight option.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
41°04.0'N 001°03.5'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Good HoldingProtected From
W, NW, SW, S
Exposed To
N, NE, E, SE
Best Months
May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m for 3–7m on sand. Good holding in clean beach sand. N/NE/E exposure monitor — Levante makes this anchorage untenable.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 3–6m on sand N of the Cambrils marina breakwater. The marina provides some shelter from the N. Sand bottom throughout, good clean holding. The bay is open to the N and E — untenable in Levante conditions. In the dominant Ponent afternoon westerly the anchorage faces away from the wind — comfortable in the morning calm. The beach in front of the town is good for dinghy landing.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Cambrils is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly — at 3–7m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (49m chain at 7m 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 for the depth.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna, CQR.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Cambrils are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to N and NE and E and SE winds and swell. Most anchorages on the Costa Daurada are day stops only.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below. 85m for 3–7m on sand. Good holding in clean beach sand. N/NE/E exposure monitor — Levante makes this anchorage untenable.
May–October. Day stops in calm conditions. Overnight requires settled S/SW forecast.
Navigation Hazards
- N/NE Levante makes anchorage untenable — move to marina if forecast
- Beach exclusion zone in summer
- Shallow sand bar extends some distance offshore — approach carefully
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Beach swimming zone exclusion Jun–Sep. Keep clear of marina entrance fairway. Speed limit 3 kt.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant: Excellent seafood restaurants in Cambrils — some of the best on the Costa Daurada. Good promenade restaurants with dinghy landing.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- For the best restaurants in Cambrils, land the dinghy at the fishing harbour (E side of marina) — shorter walk to the restaurant quarter.
- Cambrils marina: VHF Ch 09. Good fuel dock and provisioning.
A note on this guide: Data researched from multiple sailing sources and provided in good faith. Always check current weather forecasts, 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 Cambrils
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — the Ponent afternoon wind can shift direction after sunset and leave a boat exposed overnight.
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