Anchorage

Aber Wrac'h

Shelter: N, NE, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Mooring field of ten buoys in the Aber Wrac'h ria, northern Finistère, mud bottom, opposite the village of L'Aber-Wrac'h.

Water
Visitor buoys
Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Entry by the main channel from the NW, buoyed and lit, between the Libenter plateau to the N and the Ile Cezon to the S. Mind the strong tidal streams in the pass at springs. Mud bottom with good holding. Well sheltered from all quadrants except W, where fresh winds push swell up the ria. Anchoring is possible and free just before the marina or a little upstream, in good holding, an alternative to the buoys. The outer face of the visitor pontoon takes wash from passing boats, so lie inside, and mind the unlit harbour wall with a drop to rocks at low water. VHF 9 for the harbour office.

Practical

Ten visitor buoys maintained by the SNSM and the port. The buoys are dear, roughly 30 to 50 euros a night according to length and among the priciest in Brittany, with the marina berth about 10 euros more. A dinghy shuttle runs crews to shore, included, until about 21:00. Fresh water at the visitors pontoon 100 m W. Showers are dated and can be cold, and laundry is now by a coin machine at about 6 euros a load. The staff speak good English. Fuel, chandlery and a bakery at the port of L'Aber-Wrac'h.

Ashore

The customs officers path GR34 runs along the ria towards the Ile Vierge lighthouse, at 73 m the tallest stone lighthouse in Europe, 4 km N. A convenience store sits by the port and an oyster bar stands at the west end of the village, serving oysters and seaweed on toast. Bike hire is near the harbour. The Utile supermarket is in Landéda, about 2 km uphill, with a bakery and grocery there too. Oyster farms at Paluden 3 km upstream.

History

The ria served as the evacuation point for hundreds of French resistance fighters and airmen to Britain in 1940 to 1944 aboard the fishing boat Mutin and small craft of the 15th MGB Flotilla.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 48.59943, -4.55764 (48°35.97'N 4°33.46'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north, north-east, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed
Fees: Paid
Services: Water, Visitor buoys, Pontoon, Beach
Boaters' rating: 3.0/5
Updated: October 15, 2026