This week, we put the spotlight on the best anchorages in one of your favourite destinations, Minorca! The Spanish islands abound with numbers of exceptional anchorages in dreamlike settings. Every year, it’s a blissful journey for our users sailing in the area.
Minorque, A Balearic Jewel
With more than 300 anchorages referenced on Navily, the Balearic Islands are a very popular destination. Located off the East coast of Spain, the archipelago flourishes with many natural, architectural and cultural treasures. Today we will discover Minorca and the anchorages of this natural gem of the Gymnesian Islands.
Read on to discover the anchorages that were the most talked about and best rated by our sailing community!
Best anchorages in Minorca
Relaxing anchorages North of Minorca
Arenal d’en Castell: Relax in this exceptional setting
Located in the North-Eastern part of the island in a protected bay, Arenal den Castell, is a dream anchorage to relax. The shallow sandy bottom will ensure good holding with exceptional protection from wind and swell. Perfect setting to relax a few days while taking advantage of the many commodities of the populated coastline.
The clear blue waters of the anchorage are home to a flourishing marine life for snorkelers and divers to enjoy. Although quite busy in daytime, the evenings are calm and peaceful according to our users. They appreciate the area for its convenience and the many activities available in this seaside resort. Indeed, Arenal den Castell and Punta Grossa provide many entertainment options – bars, restaurants, nautical activities, beaches, trekking – which surely will keep you busy for the length of your stay. Nevertheless, the bay is quite narrow and only offers comfortable anchorage for a few boats. So you’d better get up early if you want to secure a spot in this exceptional bay of the island.
Pierre’s comment on Navily :
Superb cove with a pretty sandy beach. Small seaside resort with hotels, restaurants and a small supermarket. Quite a few tourists on the beach (we came in August), but not too many boats at anchor. Easy landing with the dinghy on the beach (marked channel). Mooring on sandy bottom 8-10m with good holding (south wind 15-20 knots). Well sheltered, open to the north-northwest. There are two shallow rocks just under the surface when arriving, be careful!
Fornells Punta Sa Creu : Enjoy the culinary delights of Fornells in a Idyllic scenery
This anchorage nested in the Northern part of Minorca, is located in a bay that penetrates deep inland. This geographical characteristic offers unmatched protection from winds and swell from the North-west, South and East. Regarding the anchorage, many buoys are available for booking. Nevertheless, if all are taken, you will anchor without any difficulties in the shallow sandy bottom of the protected cove. Be careful not to anchor on the Posidonia that populates certain parts of the anchorage or the authorities will make you move.
Spacious and well managed, our users are delighted by the warm and ‘‘spot on’’ welcoming they received there. Moreover, it’s surprisingly affordable to get a buoy in this popular and prized area of the archipelago. Facing the city of Fornells, you will enjoy exclusive access to the various commodities of this typical village. Many very well-rated restaurants are to enjoy, as well as beach and nautical activities. Fun, lively and comfortable, a perfect getaway for a few days of well-deserved rest.
Isabelle’s comment on Navily :
Mooring on a buoy, the sailor who greets us and catches us is really nice. Calm anchorage. 50 euros for a 15m catamaran for the night. The little village is really cute. Do not hesitate to stop there.
Anchorages with exclusive access to Minorca's nicest remote beaches
Cala de Algaiarens : A breaststrock away from a white sandy beach on a wild coastline
For people who enjoy more natural environments, in the North-Eastern part of the island, lies the natural gem that is Cala de Algaiarens. It’s a very popular destination for our sailing friends who appreciate the wilderness of this untouched setting. In this magical scenery, the marine flora embraces the rocky and woody coastline in the most beautiful way. Adding to the charm, two magnificent white sand beaches border the crystal blue waters of the bay. The coastal paths will lead you to Cala Fontanelles and Cala d’Escala where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of this magical landscape.
Despite its beauty, the anchorage is rather calm. Indeed, tourists visiting the island don’t often come here because the access from land is challenging. This makes it an even more enjoyable paradise for sailors searching for calm and peace. On top of that, this spacious anchorage can welcome 30 boats easily. A place to visit absolutely.
Michel’s review on Navily :
Superb calm anchorage with space and the beach within breaststroke. Magnificent!
Cala Son Saura: Two of Minorca’s most beautiful beaches & Caribbean vibe
In the South-west part of the island, this large bay offers comfortable holding, facing two splendid beaches. Nested in between Punta Sa Barraqueta and Punta des Pinar, the anchorage features great wind and swell protection from West, North and East. The sandy bottom will ensure safe anchorage in these shallow waters. In calm weather, its particular geographical characteristics makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a lagoon. Finally, the mooring area is most favored by our users for its exclusive access to two of the most beautiful remote beaches you can find on the Island!
For boaters seeking adventure, you can undertake wonderful treks in the dense and prosperous vegetation of this wild coastline. Secure, spacious and calm, it’s a go-to destination of Minorca that obviously makes our list. Don’t sail by without stopping!
Marco’s comment on Navily :
Magnificent beach of white thin sand like dust, bordering the turquoise waters of the anchorage. The beaches are very well preserved and very well protected from the swell. I highly recommend a stopover in this Paradise-like anchorage of the island.
Wild and Idyllic anchorages in the South of Minorca
Cala Covas: A paradise made of white rocks and turquoise waters
Located on the South-Western coastline and sheltered from Westerly to Easterly winds through the North, this wild setting will feed your adventurous soul. In this uncommon landscape, two coves pierce the steep rocky cliffs of the shoreline. You will admire the beauty of the rock formations overlooking the crystal blue waters in this unique creek. A blue so transparent, you can contemplate with ease the lively coral reefs and its inhabitants.
Ashore, the cliffs are full of narrow caverns revealing an untouched natural environment. From there, you will enjoy a panoramic view of this unique anchorage and its wild scenery.
Intimate, this anchorage will not fit more than 12 boats in between the tight walls of the rocky enclosure. So you might need to be patient for a spot, but it’s worth the wait. Finally, no treasures come easy, and anchoring will be a little challenging. Indeed, you will need to use your anchor and at least one hawser attached to the rocks to secure your boat. However, once your boat is securely anchored, you will be able to fully enjoy the wild and peaceful atmosphere of this splendid place. Definition of ‘’paradise on earth’’.
Frédéric’s comment on Navily :
Superb anchorage. Don’t miss the path that begins at the “beach” on the left (to the West). It winds under the trees to the top of the cliff to enjoy a superb view of the entire cala. Be aware, if the places are all taken at the bottom of the creek, it is necessary to ensure your anchoring by mooring perpendicularly to the cala. The wind causes all those who have anchored on the Posidonia to skid … like everywhere else.
Cala de Macarella : We can’t get enough of these clear blue waters
You will be transported by the magical landscape of this one-of-a-kind anchorage. Nested on the South coast, the natural creek shelters waters of unreal shades of blue. Huge rocky formations strewn with dense shrubs run along the coastline. In addition, two narrow beaches complete this picturesque setting and offer a comfortable resting place for tired sailors.
Spacious, this anchorage is obviously crowded in high season but remains calm and quiet in the morning and evening. With South winds, it will start rolling quite intensively. The rest of the time, you will anchor without troubles in sand and shallow waters.
This is a paradise-like landscape that surely could have been the scenery of mystical tales of Mediterranean Mythology. Indeed, every year, our sailing community is enchanted by the peculiar beauty of the anchorage, a place to visit Ab-so-lu-te-ly.
Patrice’s review on Navily :
Very beautiful anchorage but very rolling in case of southerly wind. Nice restaurant on the North beach. A small beach in the West accessible by a small path where you can dominate the anchorage, and see some caves. In case of a swell at the end of the afternoon, possibility of going to anchor in Cala San Saura (more West) much better protected from this swell.
That was the last destination on our best anchorages in Minorca. We hope it will inspire you for your next boat trip! Don’t hesitate to share your favorite destinations with us! Want to keep the Balearic dream alive? Check out our articles on the top anchorages in Mallorca and Ibiza and Formentera!
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