One of the things you need to know when sailing is where you can stop safely, without harming yourself, your boat or the environment.
If you want to find out how and where to anchor in Ibiza, continue reading this post to the end.
How to anchor a ship
This is information that any sailor will know, but it never hurts to remember.
The main thing is to take it easy, and before arriving you should bear in mind the type of seabed you are going to stop on, as well as the type of anchor and the length of your boat's chain. It is also important to check weather forecasts and anchoring regulations.
Once you arrive at your destination, you should check the wind direction and wind strength before choosing where to drop anchor. Always look for sandy bottoms, easily distinguishable in the sea.
Stop the boat downwind, and set the anchor as vertically as possible to avoid unwanted splashes; let go gently until it hits the bottom, stop the engine and let go astern while you let go a few more metres of chain (try to keep it in a straight line).
Don't turn off the engine until you are sure you are not dragging, and check that you are still at anchor regularly if you will be in the same place for hours at a time.
If you are anchoring at night, remember to hoist the black sphere and switch on the white lights.
Where to anchor in Ibiza
There are 3 different types of anchoring areas in the Pitiusas...
Free anchoring
It is the one with the fewest restrictions.
All beaches and coves with a sandy seabed are free anchoring areas.
Even so, you must take into account the safety regulations, and take care that neither the seaweed nor the chain damages the posidonia banks (it is extremely protected and is of vital importance for our marine ecosystem).
Anchoring regulated with buoys
In this case some restrictions come into play, which will be indicated by buoys of different colours:
- Green buoys: boats from 25 metres to 35 metres can anchor here.
- Yellow buoys: anchoring is allowed for boats from 15 metres to 25 metres.
- White buoys: for boats from 8 metres to 15 metres.
- Red buoys: for small vessels of less than 8 metres.
There are 3 areas known as "buoy fields" in the Pitiusas Islands, for which anchoring must be reserved: Caló de s'Oli, Ses Salines in Ibiza, and s'Espalmador in Formentera.
Restricted funding
These are all areas marked with large buoys, where anchoring is strictly forbidden.
In Ibiza, it is usually an indication that in that location there is a Posidonia forest, extremely protected due to its importance for the marine ecosystem of the Mediterranean.
The best times to anchor in Ibiza
If you are going to rent a boat in Ibiza, you may be interested in knowing when it is best to do so.
Undoubtedly, May and June are two of the best months to anchor in the Pitiusas because there is already a movement of boats, but without being excessive as in June and August.
At the end of the season, in September or even October, we still enjoy good temperatures on the island, so it is an ideal second option if you cannot come at the beginning of summer.
Enjoy the experience!
Blue Ocean with responsible anchoring
We hope this post clears up any doubts you may have about where it is safe to drop anchor on the beaches and coves of Ibiza.
You can also find all the necessary information on the website of the Govern de les Illes Balears.
Even so, if you have any doubts before setting sail with one of our boats, you can consult us without any problem, or you can directly rent your boat with skipper, so you don't have to worry about it.
Happy sailing!
Cover photo: Matthew Wheeler in Unsplash
