If it’s your first time sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, you will need to know how to anchor your boat. All sailors must have some sort of anchoring skills because if you find yourself in a marina that doesn’t have a mooring facility, you won’t be able to park your boat up there.
As long as you understand the basics of anchoring, you’ll be fine sailing one of Sailyachts.com’s ships in the Mediterranean. In this article, we will go through everything about anchoring, from popular techniques to beautiful destinations where you can anchor.
Preparing for Anchoring in the Mediterranean Sea
Anchoring is the process of parking a boat in a type of bay or marina with an anchor. If you pull up to somewhere in the Mediterranean that isn’t equipped for mooring, then the only way you’ll be able to dock your vessel is by anchoring.
To get you prepared for anchoring for the first time, follow these steps:
Pick Somewhere Safe to Anchor
Location is everything when anchoring, especially if you’re not experienced in doing it. Regardless of whether somewhere is convenient or beautiful, your main focus should be the passenger’s well-being and safety.
You’ll want to choose an anchoring spot that has a lot of space and is protected from the wind, just in case it gets rocky at night time when you’re asleep. Keep an eye out to see if you’re blocking a certain passage into a bay, it might look clear when you’re anchoring, but who’s to say another ship won’t come along at night and you’ve obstructed the route.
Do a Pre-check
Before you drop the anchor, you’ll want to make sure that your equipment and position are suitable for securing your boat.
Go through all your equipment, including the rope, shackle, and winch, so that everything is the right size for you to anchor successfully. Remember, the anchor itself should be the correct one for your boat, but don’t worry too much, as our team will go over everything before you check-in.
Get an Idea of the Seabed
While it can be hard to determine what the condition of the seabed is unless you dive in or have clear visibility of the water, it’s important to find out because anchoring isn’t exactly a one-size-fits-all.
Finding somewhere with soft ground like sand is what you need to be looking out for, as this type suits most anchors. Try your best to avoid rocky areas as only certain anchors can be used for them, it will end up more hassle than it’s worth.
Popular Anchoring Techniques
You’ve got the preparations in place; next, you need to know how to anchor properly. Let’s show you:
Mediterranean Mooring
As you’ll be taking on the open seas of the Mediterranean with Sailyachts.com, you’ll likely find yourself in a situation where you might have to try Mediterranean mooring. This technique originates from this region because it was designed with the tight tidal range in mind.
Here, you’ll find a step-by-step process to help you out:
- Get your boat in position and set up your two stern lines with the fenders on them along with each side of the boat.
- Throw it out into the sea, but be sure that you have enough space to reverse.
- Reverse your boat while snubbing the rode, but keep a little bit of area so you don’t crash up against the wall.
- Start snubbing the anchor.
- Halt your boat and throw the lines to the person you have waiting at shore.
- Get all the lines in the right position and pull up the slack.
- If the boat has a gangway, set it up.
Anchoring Offshore
Unlike Mediterranean anchoring, if you want to anchor offshore, you’ll need to find deep water and have longer and heavier equipment since you’re dealing with a whole different animal here.
These are the steps involved in anchoring offshore:
- Find a suitable anchoring position and check that it’s deep enough for offshore anchoring.
- Connect your anchor and find the area where you want to throw it.
- Throw the anchor in the ocean and pay it out slowly.
- Once you’ve felt the anchor reach the seabed, back up the boat while letting out the rope and ake sure the anchor is protected before doing anything else.
- Cleat off the anchor rode on a bow cleat and you’re good to go.
Top Destinations for Anchoring in the Mediterranean Sea
With somewhere as vast as the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll have endless beautiful destinations to anchor your boat. Need some inspiration? Sailyachts.com has you covered!
Here are the top locations for anchoring in the Mediterranean Sea:
Platja de Ses Illetes in Formentera, Spain
Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands but boasts one of the most scenic anchorage spots in the region. Platja de Ses Illetes is a dreamy, narrow stretch of sand in the north of the island, and the waters that surround it are gorgeous shades of blue and green. Plan your visit for sunset and prepare to be dazzled by the colorful vistas.
Roccapina in Corsica, France
The French Riviera is often the first place that springs to mind when you picture anchoring off the coast of France. Yet, the picture-perfect beach at Roccapina in southern Corsica is just as stunning. Between the transparent waters, white sands, and pine tree-covered rocks, Roccapina is a magical place to park up and enjoy the scenery.
Pakleni Islands in Hvar, Croatia
Often seen as Croatia‘s party capital, the vibrant island of Hvar also has a more tranquil side. The extraordinary Pakleni Islands lie off the southwest coast of Hvar and have become a popular anchor spot in recent years. Each postcard-ready bay and beach here is backed by rolling hills of dense vegetation and positioned alongside pristine turquoise waters.
Seno di Paraggi in Portofino, Italy
There’s no better place to experience La Dolce Vita than from the idyllic Seno di Paraggi near the iconic fishing village of Portofino in northern Italy. After your anchor, you can spend your time admiring the pastel-colored buildings from the sea, swimming in the clearest of waters, or unwinding on the quaint but busy beach. Anchoring is only permitted when the weather is right, so visiting here can be tricky to plan in advance.
Ornos Bay in Mykonos, Greece
No sailing trip around the Cyclades is complete without a stop at the beautiful and bustling island of Mykonos. While the island is acclaimed for its legendary nightlife, it’s also one of the most beautiful spots in the Mediterranean for anchoring a boat. With its white-washed buildings, crystal-clear waters, and rugged terrains, Ornos Bay is the ultimate place for a Greek getaway.
Makronisi in Kea, Greece
A more serene and much less-visited Greek anchorage is the eastern shores of Makronisi island off the coast of Kea. Once the site of a political prison, Makronisi is now an unspoiled paradise with craggy, barren landscapes, emerald-green water, and picturesque caves. It’s become more well-known over the years, but it’s still relatively untouched compared to other parts of Greece.
Final Words
Knowing how and where to anchor your boat is among the most important steps to prepare for your sailing experience. With this guide, you can brush up on your anchoring skills in the event that yacht moorings in your Mediterranean destination of choice aren’t possible.
If you’re feeling a little uncertain about anchoring a vessel or simply would like some additional information, get in touch with Sailyachts.com using our Contact Us Page. From here, one of our team members will run through your options with you, give you some guidance, and help you make the most suitable choice for you.
