We initially set sail heading for the Balearic Islands knowing that we either do a 2-3 overnight sail or stop off along the Spanish coast and we are so glad that we decided to anchor in a few fishing ports along the way.
Our approach the first night in Fuengirola was fabulous. We were overlooked by the Sohail Castle on the hill. The night was a bit rolly due to having no protection from the open sea but it was fairly late when we arrived so once we had dinner we were ready for bed. 
We rose early the following morning knowing that we had another full days sail heading for Ensenada de los Berenguelos. After a lazy sail we arrived. The bay hooked around the headline so was fairly sheltered. This was the first of the stunning anchorages that we visited. It had a small beach with houses nestled into the hills with overhanging foliage all overlooking the anchorage. The whole area looked superbly clean. We were accompanied by 2 other boats in the bay but there was plenty of room for us all. You could see clear to the seabed in 6mtrs of water. It was superb.
We sailed on from here to Roquetas de Mar. Navily, an app we use for anchorages and marinas, did not have particularly good reviews for this one. However, we stayed here several days as we were able to anchor just outside the marina wall and leave our dinghy against the harbour wall in the fishing port next to the marina. There were supermarkets and launderettes within 5mins of the port and the anchorage overlooked a super long beach. We had a lovely time here both relaxing, working and provisioning.On from here we had seen that Genaveses was a stunning anchorage set in a national park so this was our next port of call. There were a number of boats here already when we turned up and following us a few more yachts arrived. It is quite a large horseshoe bay and we could see from the deck of Cordelia that we could go ashore at the beach and take ourselves off on one of the many walks around the park. However, the wind had other ideas. During the early hours of the night an easterly wind blew up directly into the bay and we rolled and rolled and rolled. Although we were never in any danger both of us didn't sleep a wink all night so at 6am we up'd anchor and set sail for Calabardina.
Calabardina was a lovely small fishing village that protected us against the east winds that were still about. We'd had a great sail and were ready for a good nights sleep having had no sleep last night. The following day we went ashore to have a look around. It consists of a couple of small hotels and what look like holiday homes. It has a lovely a beach with a couple of great hippie beach bars, which we stopped at for a much needed cold drink. We stayed on another night just to get a good nights rest again. We are in no rush and quite happy to slowly sail along the coast.
Our next stop was La Azohia, opposite Mazarron. Again this was a stunning setting to one end of a large bay. Overlooked by hills and a long beach. The water was crystal clear, even in 5mtrs. The fishing port was only small but had a quay that the local children spent hours jumping off. There were no shops in the village, although there was a Spar at the other end of the beach. We were sheltered from the winds in calm, clear blue waters with fish swimming around the boat. We head heard that there was a FoodCo supermarket in Mazarron that sold British food so took the dinghy across the 4.5mile bay to buy gas and food. We found both very easily and the fact we were able to leave the dinghy tied up a railing at the western end of the beach was ideal. La Azohia is what we had come to the Med for. It was idyllic and we ended up staying for 6 nights.
Our last stop was just outside the Mar Manor lagoon in an anchorage called Cuna overlooked by the Faro Cabl de Palos lighthouse. It's impressive height towered over the anchorage, which was a pretty little cove to the southern end of the Mar Manor. Currently the local government have stopped all leisure boating in the Mar Manor as they are trying to sort the environmental issue out. The lagoon is nothing more than stagnant green water at the moment.It's been a fantastic start to our 2020 summer cruising journey. Next stop is Formentera in the Balearic Islands............
