Leaving Saint Cyprien

Discover



THE "COTE VERMEILLE" AND THE COSTA BRAVA

With more sun time than the average (over 2500 hours per year) and moderated
rain, Roussillon is still a starting point well appreciated to discover
numerous sites and "Calas" of the "Cote Vermeille" and the Costa Brava.

Heading South, 7 miles down, stands the site of Collioure, real little Saint
Tropez of the Roussillion. A stop is needed, unless an east or north-east
wind blows. Typical Village of the north Catalogne, with its architecture
(castles, churches, small streets...), it's numerous artists and its
bodegas.....

Further down, Port-Vendre (known for two millenia as "portus veneris"), only
natural port, regroups commercial activities, fisheries and boating. This
little port will welcome you by all weather, even by strong east or
south-east winds whereas all other ports are not accessible.

A little more south, the Béar point, dominated by a semaphor and a light
house; behind lies the "anse of Poulilles", very little constructed site,
with a lot of little creeks that lets you stop, unless there is an east
wind.

The Banyuls bay opens to you with its little dock, possibilities of culinary
tasting and its unique natural wine, the Arago laboratory, its aquatic
way... Hard to access by strong north or north-east wind.

Coming finally, Cerbère, the last french village of Roussillion on the
coast. Right after the point baring the same name where stands a light
house, Spain opens to you. Be carefull with pushing winds (wind coming down
from the mountains and that can come back up with great strengh)

The Costa Brava

First Spanish Village, Port Bou. You can anchor there or go to the new docks. You will get straight in the typical spanish spirit. You will find good restaurants by the beach...

Next comes tje port of Colera (it is small and has little space); right after is the Cala Garbet, with its nice sand beach and its restaurant.
To be avoided by the east side.

Llansa, a nex marina with full services. The docks are a little bit far from the town center.

Puerto de la Selva is a little fisherman town, well protected from all winds, located at the north of Cap Creus.
It is one of the nicest views of the Costa Brava.
Starting point to discover a lot of creeks, all nicer than each other.
Here begins the Cap Creus natural park, place of discovery (animal life,
creeks, underwater exploration), place of legends too, as mysterious as
dangerous because of the powerfull sprays and the assault of the waves due
to the strong Tramontane wind, the Migjorn or the East wind.
This place can be as nice as it can "look like hell". 

In the northern or southern part, you will always find a safe place to enjoy the scenery.

Going down south, you will find Port Llegat, a place where Salvatore Dali lived; and lower: Cadaques the White.
Points of interest: its small streets and its church, as well as good restaurants.
Anchored or tied to a buoy, not easy to access by the east (herbs at the
bottom).

Lower south, creeks again with the Cala Monjoi, well known for its restaurant, classified as one of Europe's best. Next is the Cala Joncols.

After the Norfeu Cape, The Rosas bay: very nice water plan with a long beach.

Rosas, its beach, its anchorage, its yachting dock, its fishing dock, its Bodegas, can be a refilling stage of your trip.

More to the south you will discover the port of L'Escala but nothing is better than the Cala Mongo to anchor.
You can anchor in two places, behind boulders when the weather is nice. They are located around an opening in the rocks used by motor boats.

Going by the clifs, you will arrive on the Medes islands site and its port  Estartit.
Diving fanatics will enjoy themselves in the protected area. Numerous diving professionals will help you discover the underwater wild life.

Majestic and dominant, the capes of San Sebastian and Bagur mark the change to red rocks. Some creeks like the ones of Aguablava and Aguadolc will welcome you before arriving on Hormigas islets, with a view the little port of Llafranc.

Further is the Port of Palamos and its marina, its fisheries and its old yachting dock. There is also a restaurant, a swimming pool and an anchor point by the beach.

Going south West, you will go by a red colored coast, passing in front of San Feliu de Guixols. 
Some nice creeks await you. Be carefull with underwater rocks if you are too close.

The Tossa cape, easily found by its tower dominating a beach where yachts usually anchor.

Next comes the real rocky coast, with little places and corners, ending by the port of Blanes, recognizable by a big rock, not aligned with the entrance of the docks.

Then comes the part that we feel is less interresting. A succession of tourist towns along the coast, newly build, all the way to Barcelona: Arénis de Mar, Mataro, Balis, Masnou...

Barcelona, recognizable by its seamarks, the Olympic port towers, the Montjuic hill...
Port of call to discover the town: Port Weil or the Nautic Club by the Ramblas, with its sea zoo, sea museum,
restaurants and bars...

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