Cala de l'Illa Roja
cove · Palafrugell · Costa Brava
Cala de l'Illa Roja is a cove on the coast of Costa Brava.
The nearest town is Palafrugell.
Also known as Platja de l'Illa Roja.
The bay opens towards the north-east (51°).
One of the busiest anchorages of the area, in clear water.
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south, south-west and west wind.
Partial shelter in south-east (sirocco) and north-west wind.
No shelter in north (tramontana), north-east and east wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the north-east.
Swell can come in from north-north-east to east-south-east (12°–108°).
- 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.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: large (about 35.7 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Sandy beach.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (1 within 600 m).
A village is a quarter of an hour away without a vehicle.
Within reach:
- Sa Riera: 5 restaurants, bars or cafés, 15 min by dinghy
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 de l'Estartit, 3.3 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Port de l'Estartit, 3.3 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Port de l'Estartit, 3.3 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Port de l'Estartit, 3.3 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Semàfor de Begur, 2.9 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Cala de sa Riera cove · 0.1 NM by sea
- Boia dels Ulls de Llop mooring field · 0.2 NM by sea
- Cala d'Aiguafreda mooring field · 1.4 NM by sea
- Punta des Plom (Buceig) mooring field · 1.5 NM by sea
- Boia de l'Illa Fitor mooring field · 2.3 NM by sea
- Cap de Begur cove · 2.3 NM by sea
This place is on an odyssey
Sheltered anchorages of Costa Brava by wind
More places – Palafrugell
- sa Xemeneia cove
- Cala d'Aiguafreda mooring field
- Cala de sa Riera cove
- Cala Llarga cove
Questions
Is Cala de l'Illa Roja sheltered from the tramontana?
No. It is exposed in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Port de l'Estartit, 3.3 NM by sea.
Is Cala de l'Illa Roja sheltered from the sirocco?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Port de l'Estartit, 3.3 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Cala de l'Illa Roja?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Cala de l'Illa Roja?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Room to anchor: large (about 35.7 ha).
Can you spend the night at Cala de l'Illa Roja?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.