Mouillage

Baie du Grand Soufre

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Shelter: NW, N, NE, E, S, SE
Seabed: rock, algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on the west side of Pomègues, archipel du Frioul, off Marseille.

Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the west between Pomègues and Ratonneau into a small cove with room for only one or two boats. The bottom is rock, sand and weed and holding is poor, so allow plenty of chain; depths run 9 to 18 metres. Sheltered from NW through E to SE, open to SW and W swell. A sewage works stands in the southern corner and can be smelt in the wrong wind. Keep clear of the marked prohibited zones around the Frioul fish-farming and military areas.

Practical

No services on site. Pomègues quay 0.2 NM east for a lunch stop. Port du Frioul marina 0.3 NM east for water, fuel and berths.

Ashore

Coastal path links Pomègues to Ratonneau via the Digue Berry, about 20 minutes on foot. Fort de Pomègues, built under Vauban and extended in the 19th century, stands above the bay. Hôpital Caroline quarantine ruins are on Ratonneau, 25 minutes walk from Port du Frioul. A small beach at the head of the cove gives a tender landing, though getting ashore can be awkward and access on the north side is not always welcomed locally.

History

The Frioul islands served as Marseille quarantine station from the 17th century. Hôpital Caroline was built in 1828 after the yellow fever epidemic of 1821 and is now listed as a monument historique.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 43.27828, 5.30126 (43°16.70'N 5°18.08'E)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, east, south, south-east winds
Seabed: rock, algae
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Beach, Seagrass
Boaters' rating: 3.3/5
Updated: October 15, 2026