Hidden coves of Blanes reachable only by boat 2026
5 wild coves of Blanes only reachable by sea: Cala Bona, wild Treumal, hidden Sa Forcanera and more. How to reach them, anchor and enjoy without the crowds.
One of the less-told truths about Blanes is that the best coves on this stretch can’t be reached on foot. There’s a section of coast between the S’Auguer development and the Lloret boundary that holds 4 or 5 coves only accessible from the sea: transparent water, sandy bottoms, pine cliffs and the kind of isolation that’s gone from any beach with a car park.
This guide covers the 5 wild (or semi-wild) coves reachable from the water out of Blanes, with anchorage data, recommendations and what you need to know before setting off.
If you still need to sort the boat, follow on to the guide to no-licence boat hire in Blanes.
Why these coves are different
What sets them apart from the town beaches isn’t just “no road in”. It’s the combination:
- Zero infrastructure — no beach bars, no toilets, no parasol hire. You bring everything.
- Zero background noise — only sea, wind in the pines, gulls. The acoustic gap with S’Abanell is enormous.
- Usually clearer water because there’s no urban zone right above and no drainage outflows nearby.
- A sense of space — even in August, you’ll rarely see more than 4 or 5 boats anchored at once. They tend to rotate through the day.
The 5 wild coves reachable by sea
1. Cala Bona
2.8 nautical miles north of Blanes. The most accessible and the obvious first stop. Golden sand, sandy bottom at 3–6 metres, pine cliffs on either side.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance from Blanes | 2.8 NM (~25 min at 15 HP) |
| Anchoring depth | 3–6 m, sand |
| Sheltered winds | North, NE |
| Shore access | Yes, by tender or swimming |
| Onshore services | None |
It’s the “gateway” to the wild stretch. If you’ve never been, start here. Anchoring is straightforward (clear sand, even depth).
2. Wild Cala Treumal
3 nautical miles north. Not to be confused with the developed Platja de Treumal accessible by road; the wild cove is right next door, just outside the developed boundary.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance from Blanes | 3 NM (~30 min) |
| Anchoring depth | 5–9 m, sand with rocky outcrops |
| Sheltered winds | North |
| Shore access | Limited, partly rocky |
| Onshore services | None |
Especially clear water. Excellent snorkelling on the sides (rocks with fish). Anchor carefully: there are rocks close to the surface at the edges.
3. Sa Forcanera (seaward side)
2 nautical miles north. A small cove with partial shore access. The middle ground between an accessible cove (Sant Francesc) and a completely wild one (Bona).
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance from Blanes | 2 NM (~20 min) |
| Anchoring depth | 4–7 m, mixed |
| Sheltered winds | North |
| Shore access | Yes, partially |
| Onshore services | None |
Useful if you want a wild cove without venturing too far. It’s the only one on this list with foot access as well (a path from S’Auguer), but few visitors know about it.
4. Cala de Capones
3.8 nautical miles north. A very small cove on the final stretch before Lloret. Deep water right at the edge, better for snorkelling than for a long anchorage.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance from Blanes | 3.8 NM (~40 min) |
| Anchoring depth | 8–12 m, rock |
| Sheltered winds | North (exposed to S/E) |
| Shore access | Difficult (rock) |
| Onshore services | None |
Not one of the easier ones. Only recommended if you’ve anchored before and your kit is sorted.
5. Cala Sant Francesc (at dawn, before anyone arrives)
It’s not strictly wild — it has foot access. But at dawn from the water, before the car park opens, it’s the most photogenic “temporary wild” cove on the stretch.
If you leave the harbour at 7:00–8:00, you reach Cala Sant Francesc before the first car-park visitors. You anchor, swim in the golden dawn light and head back before 10:00 when the crowd arrives. A short hour, but unforgettable.
How to plan a wild-coves day
Half-day plan (4 hours)
Out 9:00–13:00. A short, honest route for a first try:
- Out of Blanes harbour
- Sa Palomera from the water (quick photo stop, 10 min)
- Cala Bona — anchor 1 h, swim + snorkel
- Wild Cala Treumal — anchor 45 min
- Back
Total: ~30 km of cruising, ~50% of the time at anchor.
Full-day plan (8 hours)
Out 9:00–17:00. A more ambitious route with more stops:
- Sa Palomera + Sa Forcanera (short anchor)
- Cala Bona (anchor 1 h)
- Wild Cala Treumal (anchor 1.5 h, light lunch)
- Cala de Capones (snorkel stop 30 min)
- Back via Sant Francesc at the end of the day
Total: ~50 km of cruising. Fuel: confirm your boat’s range.
What to bring (honest list)
- Water: 2 L per person in August. No services at any of the coves.
- Light food without heavy fats (seasickness).
- 50+ sunscreen with reapplications every 90 minutes.
- Snorkel, mask and fins (the rocky sides have plenty to see).
- One towel per person (people do forget).
- A dry bag for phones, cameras, keys.
- A cap or hat: no natural shade on the boat.
- Waterproof or windproof jacket for the return (the afternoon wind is cool).
- A bag for rubbish: no bins on the coves. Take everything back.
Rules for anchoring properly (summary)
- Scope of 4× the depth. Anchoring in 5 m? Pay out 20 m of line.
- Only on visible sand — posidonia is protected, the fine is guaranteed if you’re caught.
- Gentle reverse to make sure it bites. If it doesn’t, pull up and re-anchor.
- Check for drag: line up two reference points on shore. If they shift, the anchor is dragging.
- Bring the anchor up by hand, engine in neutral.
Full detail: the best anchorages and coves in Blanes by boat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reach these coves without a boating licence? Yes. The Blanes rental operators offer no-licence boats (up to 15 HP, 5 m) that have everything you need for this stretch. You can check boat hire from 70 €/hour at Blanes harbour for prices and models.
Is it safe to anchor if I’ve never done it? At Cala Bona, yes — it’s the easiest. The rental operators run through the basic procedure before you head out. If you’re not confident, skip Cala de Capones (more demanding) and stay at Cala Bona and Treumal.
When’s the best time to visit? June to the first week of October. July and August have more boats but the area still feels spacious. May, October and November: empty but the water is fresh for a long swim.
Are there sharks or dangerous wildlife? No issue for snorkelling or swimming. Mauve stingers sometimes in August. The area has protected pen shells (the giant Mediterranean clam) — don’t touch.
Can you stay overnight at anchor? Rental operators require the boat back before nightfall. To stay overnight, you need your own vessel or a licence-required charter.
Is there a risk of running out of fuel? Yes, if you push too far. A 15 HP with a full tank usually covers 4–6 hours of cruising. Operators leave a reasonable margin, but don’t lean on it — coming back with little reserve is stressful.
In short
The wild coves reachable by sea are the best coastal-nature experience you can have out of Blanes. To start, hire a no-licence boat on a calm day, head to Cala Bona and wild Treumal, anchor unhurriedly and enjoy. The gap with any town beach is enormous and, honestly, not easily forgotten.
To prep better, follow on to the technical anchorages guide for Blanes or to the complete guide to what to do in Blanes from the sea.