Playa de Horcas Coloradas
cove · Melilla · Morocco
Playa de Horcas Coloradas is a cove on the coast of Morocco.
The nearest town is Melilla.
Also known as Horcas Coloradas.
The bay opens towards the east-north-east (66°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in west wind.
Partial shelter in south, south-west and north-west wind.
No shelter in north (tramontana), north-east, east and south-east (sirocco) wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the north.
Swell can come in from south to south (180°–188°).
Swell can come in from north-north-west to south-east (348°–136°).
- 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).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
Morocco: anchoring at night is forbidden, be in port before dark; prior permission needed to anchor by day.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
A few houses ashore (19 buildings within 600 m).
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
Within reach:
- Museo del Automóvil de Melilla: 34 min by public transport (5)
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: Dársena del Puerto Deportivo de Melilla, Puerto Noray, 1 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Dársena del Puerto Deportivo de Melilla, Puerto Noray, 1 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Dársena del Puerto Deportivo de Melilla, Puerto Noray, 1 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Dársena Pesquera, 1 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Dársena Pesquera, 1 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Dársena Pesquera, 1 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Dársena del Puerto Deportivo de Melilla, Puerto Noray, 1 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Rostrogordo cove · 1 NM by sea
- Dársena Pesquera marina · 1 NM by sea
- Dársena del Puerto Deportivo de Melilla, Puerto Noray marina · 1 NM by sea
- port de Nador Beni Nsar marina · 1.6 NM by sea
- Idoghotsène cove · 3 NM by sea
- Sidi Abd el Kader سيدي عبد القادر cove · 3.3 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Morocco by wind
More places – Melilla
Questions
Is Playa de Horcas Coloradas sheltered from the tramontana?
No. It is exposed in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Dársena del Puerto Deportivo de Melilla, Puerto Noray, 1 NM by sea.
Is Playa de Horcas Coloradas sheltered from the sirocco?
No. It is exposed in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Dársena Pesquera, 1 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Playa de Horcas Coloradas?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 4 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Playa de Horcas Coloradas?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Good holding.
Can you spend the night at Playa de Horcas Coloradas?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.