Kaliakra South Cove
Кaliakra · Cape Kaliakra anchorage
43°21.7'N 28°27.4'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m for fair holding in mixed sand/rock in 4–10m. Rocky patches reduce holding reliability — verify anchor set thoroughly. Do not overnight in any southerly forecast. The cape provides dramatic shelter from north but this is a day anchorage primarily.
About This Anchorage
Kaliakra Cape is one of the most dramatic headlands on the entire Black Sea coast — 70m limestone cliffs plunging vertically into the dark water, stretching 2km into the sea like a stone ship's prow. The cape has been a sacred and strategic site since antiquity: Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Bulgarians all fortified it. A medieval fortress wall still crosses the peninsula. In ancient times it was known as 'Tirizis' and was the site of legendary battles. Today Kaliakra is a UNESCO candidate site and a nature reserve protecting the only wild dolphin colony on the Bulgarian coast — bottlenose, common, and harbour porpoise are regularly sighted. The cove in the lee of the cape provides one of the most spectacular lunch anchorages on the Bulgarian coast, with the massive cliff walls rising above the mast.
Protected From
N · NW · NE
Exposed To
S · SE · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: UNESCO candidate nature reserve. Do not approach cliff face within 200m. No landing on restricted sections of the cape. Respect the dolphin sanctuary — no noise or high-speed approaches when dolphins are near.
Hazards
- !Rocky bottom patches — anchor carefully and dive-check if possible
- !Fully open to S and SE — do not anchor here in any southerly forecast
- !Cape turbulence — wind accelerates and eddies around the cliff face
- !UNESCO restricted zone around cliff — do not approach within 200m
- !Rapid weather changes — summer thunderstorms can arrive suddenly
Skipper's Tips
- →Dolpin sightings are common here — a highlight of Black Sea sailing
- →Walk up to the Kaliakra Cape visitor centre for the medieval fortress ruins and extraordinary views
- →Day anchorage only — move to Kavarna or Balchik for overnight
- →The limestone cliff changes colour dramatically at sunset — extraordinary photography
- →Visit the Kaliakra Nature Reserve interpretive centre to learn about the cape ecology
Facilities
No facilities. Visitor centre and restaurant accessible by road on the cape (for those who anchor and walk up). Kavarna (8nm) has full provisions.
Nearest provisions: Kavarna (8nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
June–September. Day anchorage only. Afternoon NE breeze develops reliably in summer — depart by 14:00 to avoid the chop building around the cape.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
On the Black Sea, NE winds and seiches can drag a poorly set anchor. Complete your entry formalities at Varna and then let Safety Anchor Alarm monitor your GPS position continuously while you rest.
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