Bahía de Algeciras Anchorage Guide

Anchoring Zones

Bahía de Algeciras has 2 distinct anchoring zones.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Bahía de Algeciras is primarily sand and mud with reliable holding when properly set. All depths are above chart datum — always calculate the current tidal height before approach using Cádiz, Huelva, or Tarifa tidal predictions (Spanish IHM tide tables available free at puertos.es). Allow for the full Atlantic tidal range of 3–4m at springs. Check the Posidonia DONIA app for the approach area to confirm no protected seagrass is present.

1. Approach in good visibility — confirm the tidal height gives adequate depth for your draft. If there is a bar or shoal on the approach, calculate precisely.
2. Calculate scope for maximum depth — at 5–14m plus up to 3m tidal rise, your maximum depth at HW may be 18m. Deploy minimum 7:1 scope accounting for the full tidal range.
3. Lie to the current, not the wind — in tidal waters the boat swings on the tidal stream. Drop the anchor into the current and pay out chain steadily. Allow for the swinging circle to change direction as the tide reverses.
4. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds moderate throttle astern to bury the anchor.
5. Take a GPS bearing — note the set position and verify your swinging circle is clear of other boats and the shore on both the flood and ebb tidal directions.

Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna, Delta, Mantus.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Bahía de Algeciras are feasible but require careful monitoring — exposed to S and SW and W winds and swell.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 100m radius before going below. 100m for 5–14m on sand/mud. Good holding. Constant ship traffic creates wash — check swinging circle clear of commercial port entrance. Monitor S/SW in Atlantic depressions. Tidal range here 1–2m.

Atlantic tidal note: In the Gulf of Cádiz with 3–4m tidal range, Atlantic swell, and the risk of the Levante developing overnight, your anchor watch must be reliable. The Levante (E wind) can strengthen to F7–8 within a few hours — if it is forecast, ensure you are in a W-facing anchorage (Bolonia, Bahía de Algeciras) rather than an E-facing position. Check the Tarifa MRCC forecast (VHF Ch 10) before settling for the night.

April–June and September–October best — Levante season peaks July–August. Winter crossing of the Strait is more predictable with Poniente periods. Avoid the bay in F7+ SW (Atlantic depression) — too exposed.

Navigation Hazards

• Strait of Gibraltar TSS — commercial ship traffic extremely dense; AIS essential
• Algeciras Port ferry lanes — Algeciras to Ceuta ferries run constantly; keep E side clear
• Levante (E wind) at Strait can exceed F8 for days — W shore of bay gives shelter but monitor
• Gibraltar airfield approach corridor on E side of bay — aircraft at low altitude
• Tidal current at Strait entrance: 3–4 kt E/W alternating — plan departure time carefully

Rules & Regulations

• Anchoring fee: Free
• Key restrictions: Keep clear of Algeciras Port commercial approach channels (marked on charts). Keep 500m clear of Gibraltar territorial waters boundary (marked buoys). Ferry lane Algeciras–Ceuta runs through the E side of the bay — monitor AIS. Speed limit 3 kt within 300m of Getares beach.

This is Atlantic water — Posidonia seagrass (protected Mediterranean species) is not present in Gulf of Cádiz anchorages. Standard good anchoring practice applies: avoid anchoring over rocky ground, use appropriate chain length, and set firmly before considering the anchor secure.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site — nearest: Algeciras (2nm)
• Fuel: Available
• Restaurant: Algeciras town (2nm by dinghy/taxi) has full provisions, restaurants, and chandleries. Marina Alcaidesa (2nm NW) offers fuel and facilities.
• Provisions: Available

Skipper's Tips

1. Time Strait passage for favourable tidal current: westbound, wait for E-going surface current (Levante-assisted); eastbound, take the W-going flood. Check Tarifa tidal streams.
2. Listen to Tarifa MRCC traffic reports on VHF Ch 10 before committing to Strait passage — hourly weather forecasts in Spanish and English.
3. For Gibraltar entry (stores, duty-free fuel, UK charts): anchor in the bay and dinghy to the Gibraltar fuel dock — UK port authority, English-speaking.
4. Westbound Strait passage: aim to cross the separation zone at exactly 90° to the traffic flow (due S/N) — this is the legal requirement under COLREGS Rule 10.