Best Anchorages Near Puerto Banus – Hidden Gems

The 30-second answer

The best anchorages near Puerto Banus are Cala del Faro, Cabopino Beach, and the waters off Estepona. You get calm sea, clear water, and a chance to spot dolphins. Most charters from Puerto Banus reach these spots in 15-30 minutes. A licensed skipper handles the anchoring, so you just swim and sunbathe.

Cala del Faro: the local favourite

Cala del Faro is a small cove about 3 NM west of Puerto Banus. It sits below the lighthouse on Punta de la Doncella. The water is deep enough for yachts up to 30 m to anchor close to the rocks. You get turquoise water and a sandy beach that is only reachable by boat or a steep footpath. On a July afternoon the water temperature hits 24-26 degrees C. The cove faces south-west, so you get sun until late evening. The seabed is sand and seagrass, so your anchor holds well. You can swim to the shore and walk up to the lighthouse for a view of the coast. There are no restaurants or bars on the beach, so bring your own drinks. It is popular but never crowded because there is no road access. Expect 5-10 boats on a weekend. The best time to anchor is before 11 am to get the prime spot near the rocks. From there you can snorkel along the rocky edge and see bream, mullet, and sometimes octopus. The water clarity is usually 10-15 m visibility. If you want a quieter spot, go 200 m east to the small sandy bay near the Rio Verde mouth. That area has less boat traffic but a muddier bottom. Overall, Cala del Faro is the best anchorage for a relaxed afternoon with a view of Marbella's skyline.

Cabopino Beach: sandbar and seagrass

Cabopino Beach is 5 NM east of Puerto Banus, near the Cabopino Marina. The anchorage is off the eastern end of the beach, where a sandbar creates a shallow lagoon. Depths are 2-5 m over a sandy bottom. It is good for swimming and paddleboarding. The water is calm because the sandbar breaks the swell. You can anchor in 3 m of water and wade to the sandbar. The beach has a chiringuito (beach bar) that serves grilled fish and cold beer. The anchorage is exposed to easterly winds, so check the forecast. In July and August the beach gets busy, but the anchorage area is large enough to avoid crowds. You can also anchor near the Cabopino Marina entrance, but watch for boat traffic. The seabed has patches of seagrass, so use a plow anchor or a Danforth. The water clarity is moderate, around 5-8 m visibility. It is a good spot for families because the water is shallow and warm. You can also walk to the Cabopino Marina for a meal or a drink. The marina has a small supermarket and a few restaurants. If you want more privacy, go 0.5 NM further east to the undeveloped beach near the dunes. That area has no facilities but more space. Cabopino is a solid choice if you want a beach with services and easy anchoring.

Estepona Bay: calm water and dolphin spotting

Estepona Bay is 8 NM west of Puerto Banus, just off the Estepona Marina. The anchorage is in 5-10 m of water over a sandy bottom. The bay is protected from the east and north winds, so it is calm most of the year. You can anchor near the Estepona old town beach or closer to the marina. The water clarity is good, around 10-15 m visibility. The bay is a known feeding ground for common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. You often see them hunting near the anchorage in the morning. The best spot is off the Playa de la Rada, where the water is deep enough for yachts up to 20 m. You can swim to the beach and walk into Estepona old town for tapas and ice cream. The old town has narrow streets with flower pots and whitewashed houses. It is a nice change from the glitz of Puerto Banus. The anchorage can get choppy in the afternoon if the wind picks up from the west. Use a bow anchor and set a stern line to the beach if you want to stay parallel to the shore. There is a chiringuito on the beach that serves lunch. The bay is also good for kayaking and paddleboarding. You can rent a SUP from the beach for around EUR 15 per hour. If you want a quieter spot, go 1 NM west to the Playa del Cristo. That small cove has a rocky bottom and fewer boats. Estepona Bay is a good all-round anchorage with easy access to town and wildlife.

Rio Verde mouth: the secret mudflat

The Rio Verde river mouth is 2 NM east of Puerto Banus, just past the Marbella Marina. It is not a classic anchorage because the water is shallow (1-2 m) and the bottom is mud. But it is a hidden gem for birdwatching and solitude. You can anchor a small boat or a RIB in the channel, but be careful of the sandbar at the mouth. The area is protected from the sea breeze, so the water is flat. You see herons, egrets, and sometimes flamingos. The riverbank has reeds and trees, giving it a wild feel. It is a good spot for a quiet lunch away from the crowds. The water is not clear for swimming, but you can take a dinghy up the river for a mile or so. The river is navigable for small boats with a shallow draft. There are no facilities, so bring everything you need. The best time to go is early morning or late afternoon when the birds are active. It is also a good spot for photography. The Rio Verde mouth is not for everyone, but if you want to escape the yacht crowds, it works.

Sotogrande: the long cruise anchor

Sotogrande is 15 NM west of Puerto Banus, near the Gibraltar border. It is a longer cruise, but the anchorage off the Sotogrande Marina is worth it. The water is deep (5-10 m) over a sandy bottom. The bay is protected from the east wind. You get views of the Gibraltar rock and the African coast on clear days. The anchorage is popular with superyachts because it is spacious and quiet. You can swim in the clean water or take a tender to the Sotogrande Marina for lunch. The marina has high-end restaurants and a golf course. The area is also good for dolphin spotting. You often see pods of common dolphins and sometimes pilot whales. The water temperature is 1-2 degrees cooler than Puerto Banus because of the Atlantic influence. The anchorage can get a swell from the west, so check the forecast. It is a good spot for an overnight stay because it is calm at night. You can also anchor near the Guadiaro river mouth, which is 1 NM east of the marina. That area has shallow water and a sandy beach. Sotogrande is a solid choice if you want a longer trip and a change of scenery.

Benalmádena: the eastern option

Benalmádena is 12 NM east of Puerto Banus, near the Benalmádena Marina. The anchorage is off the Playa de la Viborilla or the Playa de Bil Bil. Depths are 4-8 m over a sandy bottom. The water is calm in the morning but can get choppy in the afternoon when the sea breeze picks up. The area has good swimming and some snorkelling around the rocky points. You can see the Benalmádena cable car and the marina from the water. The anchorage is exposed to the east wind, so it is best on calm days. The beach has chiringuitos and sunbeds. You can anchor and swim to the shore for a beer. The water clarity is moderate, around 5-10 m visibility. It is a good option if you want to explore the eastern Costa del Sol. You can also anchor near the Puerto Marina, but that area is busy with boat traffic. Benalmádena is not as scenic as Cala del Faro, but it is a reliable anchorage with facilities.

Safety and anchoring tips

Anchor in sandy or muddy bottoms, not seagrass. Seagrass is protected in Spain, and anchoring on it can damage the ecosystem. Use a plow anchor or a Bruce anchor for sand. Set the anchor with a scope of 5:1 in calm weather. Check the wind forecast before you go. The typical wind on the Costa del Sol is the Poniente (west) or the Levante (east). The Levante can blow hard in summer and make anchorages choppy. Always wear a life jacket when swimming from the boat. Keep a lookout for other boats and jet skis. In crowded anchorages like Cala del Faro, anchor close to the rocks but leave room for swing. Use a bow anchor only; do not use a stern anchor unless you are in a very calm bay. If you are not confident anchoring, your skipper will handle it. Most charters include a licensed skipper who knows the local spots. You can book a boat through BoatHire24 with a skipper who knows the best anchorages. Use the search page to find a boat that fits your group size and budget.

Common questions

What is the closest anchorage to Puerto Banus? Cala del Faro is the closest, at 3 NM west. It takes 15-20 minutes by motor yacht.

Can I anchor overnight near Puerto Banus? Yes, but most anchorages are exposed to wind. Cala del Faro and Estepona Bay are the best for overnight stays. Always check the forecast.

Do I need a permit to anchor? No, you can anchor anywhere that is not a prohibited area (near marina entrances, swimming zones, or protected seagrass meadows). Your skipper will know the rules.

What is the water temperature in summer? 24-26 degrees C in July and August. In June and September it is 21-23 degrees C.

Can I see dolphins from the anchorage? Yes, especially in Estepona Bay and Sotogrande. Morning trips are best. You can read more about dolphin-watching on our blog.

What boat type is best for anchoring? Motor yachts and catamarans are easiest for anchoring because they have stable platforms. Sailing yachts work but need more room. RIBs are fine for shallow spots like Rio Verde.

Is it safe to swim from the boat? Yes, in calm anchorages with no boat traffic. Always wear a life jacket and keep a ladder in the water.

How to choose the right boat for these anchorages

Your choice of boat affects which anchorages you can reach. For Cala del Faro and Estepona Bay, a motor yacht from 8-15 m works best. You get enough deck space for sunbathing and a swim platform for easy water access. Catamarans are also good because they have a shallow draft (around 1-1.5 m) and stable anchoring. Sailing yachts need more swing room, so they are better in Estepona Bay or Sotogrande where there is space. RIBs and speedboats are ideal for Rio Verde mouth because you can get into shallow water. A 6 m RIB with a 150 hp engine costs from around EUR 350 for a half-day charter from Puerto Banus. For Cabopino, any boat under 15 m works. Superyachts over 30 m are limited to Sotogrande or deeper spots in Estepona Bay. Use the search page to filter by boat type and length. The skipper will advise on the best anchorage for your specific boat.

Best times of year for each anchorage

Summer (June to September) is peak season. Cala del Faro is best in June and September when the crowds are smaller. July and August see 10-15 boats on weekends, but the water is warmest at 26 degrees C. Cabopino is good all summer, but the beach gets packed in August. Go early to avoid the crowds. Estepona Bay is consistent from May to October. The dolphin activity peaks in June and July. Sotogrande is best in May, June, and September when the wind is lighter. The Levante wind (east) blows hardest in July and August, making anchorages choppy. In spring (March to May), the water is cooler (16-20 degrees C) but the anchorages are quiet. Autumn (October to November) has warm days and fewer boats. Winter is not ideal for anchoring because of wind and cooler temperatures (15-18 degrees C). For a reliable calm day, check the wind forecast on Windy or PredictWind. A good rule is to anchor when the wind is under 15 kts from the west or north.

Costs and practical tips for a day on the water

A half-day charter (4 hours) from Puerto Banus costs from around EUR 600 for a 10 m motor yacht, including skipper and fuel. Full-day (8 hours) from around EUR 1,000. Catamarans are slightly more, from around EUR 800 for half a day. RIBs start at EUR 350 for half a day. Bring your own food and drinks to save money. Most boats have a cooler and a sound system. Pack sunscreen (SPF 50), a hat, and a towel. The sun is strong from 11 am to 4 pm. For swimming, bring a mask and snorkel. Cala del Faro has good snorkelling along the rocks. For Cabopino, bring a paddleboard if the boat has one. Some charters include a SUP or kayak. Check with the operator before booking. Tipping the skipper is optional but appreciated, around 10-15% of the charter cost. If you want a beach lunch, anchor at Cabopino or Estepona Bay. The chiringuitos serve grilled fish, paella, and beer. A meal for two costs around EUR 40-60. For a more private experience, pack a picnic and anchor at Cala del Faro.

Combining anchorages in one trip

If you have a full-day charter, you can visit two or three anchorages. A good route from Puerto Banus: start at Cala del Faro for the morning swim (9-11 am). Then head east to Cabopino for lunch at the chiringuito (12-2 pm). After lunch, go to Rio Verde mouth for a quiet afternoon (3-5 pm). This route covers 10 NM total and takes about 30 minutes of cruising between spots. Another option: go west to Estepona Bay for dolphin spotting in the morning (9-11 am), then anchor at Sotogrande for lunch (12-2 pm). This is a longer cruise (15 NM each way), so you need a faster boat. A motor yacht at 20 kts takes 45 minutes each way. For a relaxed day, stick to one or two anchorages. The skipper will plan the route based on wind and sea conditions. Most charters include a flexible itinerary, so you can decide on the day.

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• Fishing Charter Puerto Banus: Deep Sea Adventures
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