Sailing the Costa Blanca from Dénia and Valencia
Sailing the Costa Blanca from Dénia means short legs under high cliffs: around the Cabo de San Antonio below the Montgó, past the Portitxol island and the Cabo de la Nao, on to Moraira, the Peñón de Ifach at Calp, Altea and the island off Benidorm. A typical week strings together five or six day-hops of 6 to 24 nautical miles, with a marina every night, and Ibiza only a long day's sail across the water.
Where to charter a yacht for the Costa Blanca?
The two natural bases are Dénia, right at the start of the cliff coast, and Valencia, about 45 nm further north. You can compare yacht charter in Dénia and sailing yachts in Valencia, or browse all boats for rent in Spain; on Ship O'Hoi you book them bareboat or with a skipper. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. Bareboat, you need a licence the charter company accepts (see our boat licence guide for Spain and the ICC); otherwise hire a skipper or a crewed yacht.
A 7-day sailing itinerary from Dénia
Distances are approximate; plan every leg with up-to-date charts and a pilot book.
Day 1: Dénia to Xàbia around the Cabo de San Antonio (approx. 7 nm)
Keep a lookout at the Dénia harbour entrance: the fast ferries to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma berth at the north pier. Outside, the Montgó (753 m) and its natural park drop into the sea at the Cabo de San Antonio. The waters around the cape are a marine reserve: no anchoring, mooring only on authorised buoys, and no more than 6 knots. Round the cape and you are in Xàbia bay. Overnight in the port of Xàbia, which has public-use moorings, fuel and showers and is used by cruising yachts as a stop by the cape. Tip: this short first leg leaves time to settle in after the handover.
Day 2: Xàbia to Moraira via Portitxol and the Cabo de la Nao (approx. 11 nm)
Head south to the Portitxol bay between Cap Prim and Cap Negre, sheltered from northerly winds, with the small Portitxol island in front of Cala Barraca. It is a lunch stop at anchor: drop the hook on clear sand only, outside the swimming area and well away from seagrass. Then round the Cabo de la Nao and follow the cliffs to Moraira. Overnight at the Club Náutico de Moraira marina. Tip: the cove is very popular in summer and the town limits access by land, so arrive early.
Day 3: Moraira to Calp and the Peñón de Ifach (approx. 6 nm)
A short leg along the cliffs to the Peñón de Ifach, the 332 m rock tied to land by a narrow isthmus and protected as a natural park. Moor in the Real Club Náutico de Calpe marina right at its foot. In the afternoon, walk up: the route beyond the park turnstile to the tunnel and summit needs an advance booking on the park's website, and the number of visitors per day is capped. Tip: book the Ifach visit before your charter starts, and take proper walking shoes.
Day 4: Calp to Altea (approx. 7 nm)
Sail south across the bay to Altea, where the Club Náutico de Altea lies at the foot of the old town. The short hop leaves the morning free for a swim near the Peñón. Overnight in the Altea marina. Tip: if the forecast shows a fresh easterly, use this day to top up fuel and water; the next legs are more exposed.
Day 5: Altea to Illa de Benidorm and Benidorm (approx. 11 nm)
Round the Serra Gelada; its cliffs, the Illa de Benidorm and the surrounding sea form a natural park. The park asks boats to use its mooring buoys (placed at spots such as l'Illot de Benidorm, Illa Mitjana and Cala la Mina); anchoring with your own anchor is only allowed on the marked sandy areas off Altea/l'Albir and off Benidorm, never on posidonia. One boat per buoy, and the park advises against using them in more than 15 knots of wind or 30 cm of waves. Overnight in the Club Náutico de Benidorm (about 100 berths, shallow in places) or sail back to Altea. Tip: call ahead for a berth in Benidorm.
Day 6: Benidorm to Xàbia around the Cabo de la Nao (approx. 24 nm)
The longest leg of the week takes you back north, past the Peñón de Ifach and Moraira, and around the Cabo de la Nao into Xàbia bay. Overnight in Xàbia again, or at Moraira for a shorter day. Tip: leave early, so that you round the cape before any afternoon breeze builds up the sea off the headland.
Day 7: Xàbia to Dénia (approx. 7 nm)
A last swim in Xàbia bay, then around the Cabo de San Antonio (reserve rules again: no anchoring, 6 knots) and back to Dénia for refuelling and the check-out. Tip: charter companies usually want the yacht back on Friday afternoon or evening, so keep this leg short.
| Leg | Distance | Overnight | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dénia – Xàbia | approx. 7 nm | Port of Xàbia | Cabo de San Antonio, Montgó |
| Xàbia – Moraira | approx. 11 nm | Club Náutico de Moraira | Portitxol island, Cabo de la Nao |
| Moraira – Calp | approx. 6 nm | Real Club Náutico de Calpe | Peñón de Ifach |
| Calp – Altea | approx. 7 nm | Club Náutico de Altea | Altea old town |
| Altea – Benidorm | approx. 11 nm | Club Náutico de Benidorm | Illa de Benidorm, Serra Gelada |
| Benidorm – Xàbia | approx. 24 nm | Port of Xàbia | Cabo de la Nao |
| Xàbia – Dénia | approx. 7 nm | Dénia (base) | Last swim, check-out |
Starting from Valencia, or crossing to Ibiza
From Valencia the week starts in La Marina de València, the city's old port with more than 800 berths and the Veles e Vents building. The first day is a long run south to Dénia (approx. 45 nm), along the shore of the Albufera natural park, the large coastal wetland at the gates of the city. With the same long leg back on the last day, a Valencia week works best as a shorter loop: Valencia – Dénia – Xàbia – Moraira – Calp and back.
The crossing from Dénia or Xàbia to Sant Antoni on Ibiza is approx. 50–55 nm; Ibiza town or La Savina on Formentera are approx. 60 nm. At 6 knots that is a 9–10 hour passage in open water, so only go with a settled forecast and a charter contract that allows it, and keep clear of the fast ferries that run from Dénia to Ibiza and Formentera. Yachts are also based on the island itself (boats in Ibiza); read our sailing guide to Ibiza and Formentera, and note the Balearic posidonia anchoring rules.
Rules and safety on the Costa Blanca
- Cabo de San Antonio marine reserve: in the waters around the cape, anchoring is prohibited, mooring is only allowed on authorised buoys, and the speed limit is 6 knots (Ajuntament de Dénia).
- Serra Gelada natural park (Illa de Benidorm): use the park's mooring buoys; anchor only in the designated sandy areas (Generalitat Valenciana).
- Seagrass: Spanish law (Real Decreto 191/2026) generally prohibits anchoring on posidonia and cymodocea meadows, and on nearby sand if the chain or swinging circle reaches the meadow; over meadows only authorised buoys may be used (BOE). The Generalitat Valenciana's Fondea app shows where the meadows are.
- Beaches: never enter a buoyed bathing zone. Where there are no buoys, treat 200 m off beaches and 50 m off the rest of the coast as bathing zone, with a maximum of 3 knots, and nothing may be discharged from the boat (Reglamento General de Costas, art. 73).
- Peñón de Ifach: walking beyond the park entrance needs an advance booking with a daily cap.
- Traffic: fast ferries use Dénia port, and La Marina de València lies right next to Valencia's commercial port; keep clear of ferries and ships.
- Weather: check the AEMET coastal forecast for the Valencia and Murcia coast every morning. In settled weather a sea breeze sets in around midday. The poniente is a westerly land wind, the kind AEMET says is most frequent in winter, and in summer it can bring the day's highest temperatures. A levante (easterly) gale is the one to avoid: in one autumn storm AEMET recorded north-easterly force 7 and waves over 3 m on this coast.
- Emergencies: Salvamento Marítimo on 900 202 202 or 112, VHF channel 16.
- Licence: from 1 October 2026 anyone driving a rented boat in Spain needs a licence, which ends the old licence-free small-boat rental. A bareboat yacht needs a licence that covers its size and area and that Spain recognises (the ICC is the safe choice). With a skipper or crew you need none. Details in our boat licence guide for Spain.
Best time to sail the Costa Blanca
The main season runs from late spring to early autumn. From spring well into autumn the sea governs the weather, with a regular midday sea breeze for easy day-hops; in winter westerly land winds are more frequent. The warm summer months bring most cruising yachts to the bay of Benidorm, and popular coves such as Cala Barraca at Portitxol get busy enough that access by land is limited in summer. Easterly gales are the main thing to watch for in autumn.
FAQ
How far is it from Dénia to Ibiza by sailing yacht?
Approx. 50–55 nm from Dénia or Xàbia to Sant Antoni, and approx. 60 nm to Ibiza town or Formentera; roughly a 9–10 hour passage at 6 knots.
Can I anchor at the Cabo de San Antonio?
No. Anchoring is prohibited in the marine reserve around the cape; you may only use authorised buoys, and the speed limit is 6 knots.
Is the Costa Blanca good for a first bareboat week?
Yes, in settled summer weather: the legs are short and there is a marina every night. Watch easterly forecasts and the two big headlands.
Where can I moor at the Illa de Benidorm?
On the natural park's mooring buoys, or at anchor only in the designated sandy areas.
Further north on the Spanish coast, read our guide to sailing Barcelona and the Garraf coast, or head over to the islands with Ibiza and Formentera by sailing yacht.
