Sailing along the stretch of coast from Torrevieja to Pilar de la Horadada is one of the great pleasures of southern Costa Blanca. Turquoise waters, semi-wild coves, clifftops with watchtowers, and rocky seabeds teeming with marine life make these 30 kilometres of coastline a small paradise for anchoring, snorkelling, or simply dropping the hook for lunch.
Here is a north-to-south route featuring the best spots to drop anchor, along with some practical tips to make the most of your day without any nasty surprises.
1. Cala Ferris (Torrevieja)
Just south of Torrevieja harbour, between Punta Margalla and Punta del Salaret, lies Cala Ferris — one of the few semi-wild coves left within the municipality. It is surrounded by pine trees and dunes, with no buildings on the front line, giving you a sense of seclusion that is very unusual along this coast.
- Seabed: sand and some rocks.
- Anchoring depth: between 3 and 5 metres; approach cautiously as there are shallow patches.
- Essential: snorkelling near the rocks on the sides.
2. Cabo Cervera and Punta Prima
Heading south you reach Cabo Cervera, a rocky headland with natural pools, and a little further down, Punta Prima, already on the border between Torrevieja and Orihuela.
This is a very beautiful area to anchor when the wind blows from the west, as it offers some shelter. The rocky seabed is a delight for snorkelling and free-diving enthusiasts: octopuses, white seabream and small groupers are common sights.
- Seabed: rock and sand.
- Recommended: anchor over visible sand (the bright white patches between the rocks) to avoid damaging the seabed.
3. Cala Mosca and Playa Flamenca (Orihuela Costa)
Cala Mosca is one of the last undeveloped spaces in Orihuela Costa and, seen from the sea, it surprises with its wild character. Right next to it is Playa Flamenca, with its characteristic small rocky islet (Isla del Carmen) that breaks the waves and creates a zone of very calm water, ideal for anchoring with children on board.
- Seabed: fine sand.
- Depth: 3–6 metres.
- Bonus: behind the islet the water is practically a natural swimming pool.
4. La Caleta and Cala Capitán (Cabo Roig)
Cabo Roig is, without question, the nautical jewel of Orihuela Costa. The famous 16th-century watchtower keeps watch from the clifftop over a seabed that looks tropical on calm days.
- La Caleta (north of the tower): small, nestled between rocks, with crystal-clear water. Perfect for anchoring a small-to-medium boat and taking a spectacular swim.
- Cala Capitán (a little further south): larger and better protected, it is a classic anchorage on days of light easterly winds.
At this point you also have the Cabo Roig Marina, where you can stop for provisions if needed.
5. Cala Cerrada and Cala Bosque (La Zenia)
Between Cabo Roig and La Zenia there is a succession of small coves well worth visiting. Cala Cerrada is probably the prettiest: a small turquoise-watered inlet almost enclosed by rock, with a sandy bottom clearly visible from the boat.
- Seabed: pale sand.
- Tip: arrive early — in July and August it fills up quickly with boats.
6. Aguamarina (micro-reserve)
Between Cabo Roig and Dehesa de Campoamor lies the Aguamarina area, declared a flora micro-reserve. The zone has rocky and sandy seabeds with shallow depths, making it one of the best snorkelling spots along the entire southern Alicante coast.
- Seabed: rock and sand, shallow.
- Recommendation: anchor away from the rocky areas and swim towards them. Take care when approaching, as the depth drops sharply.
7. Playa de La Glea and Dehesa de Campoamor
Further along in Dehesa de Campoamor, with its distinctive circular marina, you find Playa de La Glea, a wide bay well protected from the north, ideal for spending the day at anchor having lunch on board.
- Seabed: sand.
- Services: beach bars, the marina nearby if you need fuel, water or a berth.
8. Cala Mil Palmeras and Río Seco
At the southern end, almost on the border with Murcia, the beaches open up and become wider. Mil Palmeras and the mouth of the Río Seco offer comfortable anchoring over soft sandy seabeds, with a quieter atmosphere than the central stretch. A good option for finishing the day before heading home.
Bonus: Isla de Tabarca (if you fancy a longer trip)
About 18 nautical miles north of Torrevieja is Isla de Tabarca, a destination that deserves an entire day. Bear in mind that it has been a Marine Reserve of Fishery Interest since 1986, with strict regulations.
- Free anchoring within the reserve is prohibited, except in emergencies. Plans are in place to install eco-buoy fields to regulate anchoring around the reserve.
- Anchoring is usually permitted at the central beach (Playa de Levante) and designated areas south of the breakwater, where mooring buoys are available when in operation.
- Always check the latest regulations before setting off, as they are changing with the introduction of the new buoy fields.
Practical tips for anchoring along this coast
Always anchor over sand, never over posidonia. Posidonia oceanica is a protected marine plant that forms meadows vital to the Mediterranean ecosystem. Identify it by the dark patches on the seabed: if you see them, look for a sand clearing (light-coloured, almost white from above) to drop your anchor. As well as being the environmentally responsible thing to do, the anchor holds far better in sand.
Prevailing wind. In summer, the levante (easterly) dominates in the afternoon, so many east-facing coves lose their shelter after midday. Coves facing west or south (Cala Ferris, La Glea) tend to hold up better in the afternoon.
Depth. Don’t be fooled by the turquoise blues: many coves lose depth very quickly near the shore. Approach slowly, with a lookout at the bow, and anchor between 3 and 6 metres in normal conditions.
Day boats. If you don’t want to buy a boat, there are hire options with and without a skipper in Torrevieja, Cabo Roig and Dehesa de Campoamor, so you can do the whole route in a single day.
Respect swimmers. Remember that you must keep the minimum legal distance from the shore (200 metres from beaches, 50 metres from unmarked coastline) and travel at reduced speed in bathing areas.
In summary
If I had to choose a perfect one-day route it would be: leave Torrevieja first thing in the morning, head south anchoring for a while at Cala Ferris or Punta Prima, have lunch at Cabo Roig or Cala Cerrada, and finish the afternoon snorkelling at Aguamarina before heading home.
This coast has the magic of taking you from urban landscapes to seemingly untouched coves within just a few miles. With a boat — even a modest one — you discover a side of Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa that is simply impossible to imagine from land.
What is your favourite anchorage in the area?