Obzor Bay
Обзор · Heliopolis · Obsor
42°49.1'N 27°52.9'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m for fair holding on sand in 3–8m. Sandy bottom without mud reduces holding reliability — verify anchor set and do not leave unattended in changeable conditions. Broadly exposed — overnight only in settled forecasts.
About This Anchorage
Obzor occupies the site of the ancient Greek colony of Heliopolis ('Sun City'), founded around the 4th century BC. The ancient name seems fitting — the bay opens broadly to the east, catching the first light of the Black Sea sunrise. A small temple of Helios (the sun god) stood here in antiquity, and archaeological finds from the site are displayed in the regional museum. Today Obzor is a low-key Bulgarian resort town with a pleasant beach and several restaurants. For sailors, the bay provides an open anchorage with access to town provisions — a useful stop on the passage between Byala and Nesebar, particularly as a lunch anchorage or provisioning stop. The sandy bottom gives only fair holding, and the broad exposure to east and north means this should not be treated as a reliable overnight anchorage without checking the forecast carefully.
Protected From
W · NW
Exposed To
E · NE · N · S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Broadly exposed — ensure adequate watch is kept if overnighting. Respect beach swimmers — maintain distance from populated beach areas.
Hazards
- !Broadly exposed to E, NE, and N — only overnight in settled forecast
- !Sandy bottom — fair holding only; verify anchor set thoroughly
- !Beach traffic in summer — swimmers and jet skis; maintain distance
Skipper's Tips
- →Good lunch stop or provisioning anchorage on the central coast passage
- →The ancient Heliopolis site is worth a brief visit — Roman-era ruins in town
- →Fresh fish from the local market is excellent and very affordable
- →Do not overnight here in any NE forecast — move to Byala (6nm) or Sveti Vlas (8nm)
Facilities
Beach restaurants and small supermarket in town. Provisions accessible by dinghy.
Nearest provisions: Obzor town (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Jul, Aug
July–August only. Day anchorage primarily. Provisioning stop on coastal passage.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
Black Sea NE winds and thunderstorms can develop quickly on the central Bulgarian coast. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously while you sleep anchored off the coast.
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