Plage des Elmes
cove · Banyuls-sur-Mer · Costa Brava
Plage des Elmes is a cove on the coast of Costa Brava.
The nearest town is Banyuls-sur-Mer.
Also known as Plage Les Grandes Elmes.
The bay opens towards the east-north-east (76°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south, south-west, west and north-west (mistral) wind.
Partial shelter in north wind.
No shelter in north-east, east (levante) and south-east wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the north-east.
Swell can come in from north-east to east-south-east (36°–120°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Good holding.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 4 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: medium (about 2.9 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.3 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
Plage des Elmes lies in the protected area Natural Marine Park of the Gulf of Lion: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Posidonia seagrass is present: drop the anchor on sand only.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Built-up shore (719 buildings within 600 m).
Nothing ashore: a wild anchorage.
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north wind: Port Cerbère, 3.6 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Anse du Fontaulé marina · 0.2 NM by sea
- Plage naturiste des galets cove · 0.4 NM by sea
- Platja del Forat cove · 1.2 NM by sea
- Plage Bernardi cove · 1.2 NM by sea
- Anse de Paulilles mooring field · 1.2 NM by sea
- Plage Balanti cove · 1.2 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Costa Brava by wind
More places – Banyuls-sur-Mer
- Anse du Fontaulé marina
- Plage de Taillelauque cove
- Plage naturiste des galets cove
Questions
Is Plage des Elmes sheltered from the mistral?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north-west wind.
Is Plage des Elmes sheltered from the levante?
No. It is exposed in east wind.
How deep is the water at Plage des Elmes?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 4 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Plage des Elmes?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding. Room to anchor: medium (about 2.9 ha).
Can you spend the night at Plage des Elmes?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.