Menorca is part of the Balearic archipelago. Of the four main islands, it is the furthest from the mainland. It is also a jewel that never ceases to make you discover incredible anchorages. We had the chance to stay there for a long time during this summer season 2022, to the great pleasure of the crews who followed one another on board.
Minorca, a paradise of anchorage
Menorca is shaped like a large bean spread from east to west. The two ends are only 30 miles apart. This means that the island can be quickly circumnavigated. There are as many anchorages in the North as in the South, so that you can always find a place to take shelter.
Out of season, the island is often swept by a north wind. But in the summer, it is the breezy regime that settles around the island. No wind at night and in the morning, and during the day, a breeze of up to 20 knots from the sea sweeps across the beaches.
If you always have to watch the weather, as always in the Mediterranean where stormy episodes can be violent, it is especially the swell that you should take into account. Indeed, a distant gust of wind can cause swell and make anchoring unpleasant.
The ports, a supply point
The two main ports of the island, Ciutadella in the east and Mahon in the west, offer comfortable shelters with well-equipped jetties. There is also water and electricity. To moor there, it is necessary to reserve in advance, even well in advance during the high season.
This requires a lot of planning, which is not always easy when you are on an itinerant cruise. However, there is always the possibility to refuel in both ports, without spending the night there.
Cliffs and beautiful beaches
Menorca's coasts are characteristic with beautiful cliffs carved by calas, a kind of deep coves similar to the calanques. Some larger beaches are also accessible both on the north and south coasts.
Most of the calas are not easily accessible from the land and require a long walk before they can be enjoyed. This is the advantage of navigating by boat to take advantage of all these crevices that the coast offers.
The spots hyper known, and very frequented!
All the anchorages are beautiful, but some are more popular with boaters. These are spots to visit, but which may scare you away, given the number of boats present.
1 - Cala Morel
It is the reference cove bordered by 2 beaches - not too beautiful beaches - and surrounded by cliffs. Numerous caves dug to bury the dead in prehistoric times create an amazing atmosphere. The boats moor their asses to the rock, passing from the moorings to the land. Not an easy maneuver, but it ensures a good night. Unfortunately, the fame of the cove brings many people to the anchorage.
2 - Cala Macarella
Together with its little sister Cala Macarelleta, Cala Macarella is a jewel where it is good to anchor. Only, the cove is invaded by people, even if we appreciate the hut on the beach that serves a meal with feet in the sand quite pleasant. The walks on the cliffs, with the staircases cut in the rock dominating the cove to access from one beach to the other, is worth the detour for the pleasure of the eyes.
3 - Cala Pregonda
Located on the north coast, Cala Pregonda is protected from the sea by a rocky set. It is anchored in a sandy bottom of less than 5 meters, in front of three houses whose location is the envy of many. Few anchorages on the North coast are so well protected, so that the place is quite popular with boaters to spend the nightâ?¦
4 - Cala Blanca
In Menorca, you don't often see the sunset. Except when anchored on the east coast. Just south of Cala Blanca, there is a fairly unprotected anchorage - to be used in good weather - but which allows you to experience the sunset live.
3 spots not to be missed
We are probably a bit lonely, but we have practiced some anchorages, certainly in good weather, in which we have appreciated the calm and the beauty.
5 - Cala Rafalet
Barely a mile from the exit of Mahon, heading south, there is a small cove, Cala Raphalet. The anchorage at the level of the cliff is impressive, but the beauty of the place still makes us dream.
6 - Cala Biniparratx
This cove on the western shore is splendid, with its beach at the bottom, invisible from the open sea. You can anchor there by entering towards the bottom and spending a bit of time on land, the space to avoid being quite narrow.
7 - Cala Sant Llorenç
This recessed anchorage is only accessible at shallow draft. But what magic! Inaccessible from the land, we find ourselves isolated in the middle of nature, well protected to spend a beautiful day at anchor.
