12 Best Anchorages Around Ibiza for a Private Yacht Charter

Best anchorages around Ibiza: a broker's working list

Knowing the best anchorages around Ibiza is the difference between a good yacht charter and a great one. The island offers more than 80 recognised holding grounds within a 30-nautical-mile radius, yet only a dozen consistently deliver the right mix of shelter, seabed quality, and scenery. Below is the shortlist we share with every client before they step aboard — refined across hundreds of private yacht charters departing Marina Ibiza, Marina Botafoch, and Santa Eulària harbour. Use it to shape your own itinerary for the 2026 season.

Where to anchor on Ibiza's west coast

The western shoreline faces prevailing summer winds from the northeast, which means its coves sit in a natural lee from June through September. Cala Comte, roughly 8 nautical miles southwest of Marina Ibiza, is the headline act: a sandy shelf at 4–6 metres depth with reliable holding in sand and Posidonia patches. Arrive before 10:00 to secure swing room for yachts above 24 metres. Further south, Cala d'Hort provides a front-row view of the Es Vedrà rock formation, with depths of 8–12 metres over sand and a tender-friendly beach. Between the two, Cala Tarida is wide enough for multiple vessels and offers a gentle gradient that suits families with children swimming off the swim platform. The west coast is also where sunset anchorages draw the most demand — booking a luxury yacht hire during July and August means planning these stops weeks in advance.

Top anchorages on Ibiza's north and east sides

When a rare southwesterly fills in mid-season, the north and east coasts become the smarter play. Cala Benirrás, tucked into the northern headland, holds well in 5–7 metres over sand and offers calm conditions even when the west side is uncomfortable. Portinatx, 18 nautical miles from Ibiza Town by sea, groups three small bays together; the innermost cove, S'Arenal Gros, provides all-round protection and is a reliable overnight stop. On the east coast, Cala Llonga is a deep inlet with 3-metre depths close to shore, ideal for tender landings at the village pier. For a quieter option, Tagomago Island sits just 900 metres off the northeast tip. Its western lee offers clean sand at 6–8 metres and total privacy — one of the most sought-after boat charter anchorages in the Balearics.

6 anchorages every Ibiza charter itinerary should include

1. Cala Comte — Wide sandy shelf, excellent holding, prime sunset position. Best for yachts up to 40 metres. 2. Cala d'Hort — Dramatic backdrop of Es Vedrà, 8–12 m depth, good lunch stop with beach restaurant ashore. 3. Ses Salines (south coast) — Shallow turquoise water between Ibiza and Formentera, 2–4 m depth on sand. Anchor on the Ibiza side to avoid the Formentera marine reserve restrictions. 4. Espalmador island — A low sandy islet in the strait, offering 3–5 m anchorage and a natural mud pool ashore. Tender access only; no commercial pier. 5. Cala Benirrás — North-coast shelter, 5–7 m over sand, calm in prevailing summer conditions. 6. Tagomago Island (west lee) — Private island setting, 6–8 m depth, minimal boat traffic on weekdays.

See our [Ibiza day-charter itinerary](#) for a route that links four of these stops in a single outing.

How seabed type and Posidonia rules affect your anchorage choice

Balearic regulations protect Posidonia oceanica meadows, and anchoring directly on these seagrass beds carries significant fines. In practice, this means your captain will look for sand corridors between Posidonia patches, clearly visible in the polarised morning light. Many of the anchorages listed above — Cala Comte, Espalmador, Ses Salines — have designated sand zones where holding is permitted. Yachts above 20 metres increasingly use eco-moorings where available, or deploy a kellet to reduce chain sweep. A knowledgeable local skipper is essential. Browse our [fleet in Ibiza](#) to find vessels with experienced Balearic-licensed captains who navigate these rules daily.

Choosing the right yacht size for Ibiza's coves

Smaller coves like Cala d'Hort become crowded once three or four boats exceed 30 metres. A 22-metre motor yacht draws less attention, manoeuvres into tighter spots, and often anchors closer to the beach. For groups of 8–12 guests who want open-water stability and spacious deck areas, a 35–45-metre charter yacht opens up overnight passages to Mallorca (roughly 70 nautical miles northeast) or a full circumnavigation of Formentera in a single day. Our [Ibiza yacht rental guide](#) breaks down the trade-offs by hull type, guest count, and cruising range so you can match the vessel to your anchorage wishlist.

Plan your charter around Ibiza's finest anchorages

Every cove on this list rewards the crew that arrives early, reads the forecast, and respects the seabed. Stringing them together into a week-long route — west coast sunsets, a Formentera crossing, a quiet night off Tagomago — is where a private yacht charter in these waters truly comes alive. The 2026 season is already shaping up, with peak weeks in July and August filling first. There is a particular satisfaction in plotting your own course through the Balearics, knowing each anchorage has been vetted by a local team that sails these waters year-round.