Anchorage

Baie de la Vierge

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on the north-east side of La Ciotat bay, sand bottom, shelter from W through N to NE, exposed to southerly swell.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the south, clear of the Île Verte reefs to the east, with the Bec de l'Aigle a clear landmark to the SW. The anchorage is marked and lies outside the yellow 300 m buoys; anchor there in 4 to 7 metres on clean sand, keeping off the protected seagrass. The sand is hard and an anchor can skid, so set it firmly. Even in calm weather a little swell often works in at night and sets the boat rolling.

Practical

No shore services at the anchorage. La Ciotat Nouveau Port 1.4 NM SW and Port Vieux 1.6 NM SW for water, fuel, berths and all provisions. Land the dinghy at the Bassin des Capucins in the south-west corner or at the new port.

Ashore

Sentier des Crêtes above the bay climbs toward the Bec de l'Aigle and the Parc du Mugel. Calanque de Figuerolles with its red rock needles is 2 km SW by path. La Ciotat old town, the shipyard museum and the Eden Théâtre, oldest working cinema in the world, reachable on foot from the vieux port.