Anchorage

Balaruc les bains

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, E
Seabed: sand, mud
Anchoring: Forbidden

Anchorage on the étang de Thau off Balaruc-les-Bains, Hérault. Boats lie on good mud holding clear of the shellfish beds and cable crossings; tying up at the town and swimming-pool pontoons is prohibited.

Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Anchor on the étang in 3 to 4 m on mud, which holds well; one crew rode out 30 knots of mistral on 35 m of chain. Keep well off Balaruc for depth and clear of the shellfish beds and cables. Tying up at the town pontoon and the swimming-pool pontoon is not allowed and the municipal police enforce it with fines. The lagoon is shallow, sand and mud, and can throw a short chop in strong gusts.

Practical

No services at anchor. Land the dinghy on the small beach by the sailing club, or tie up at the boatyards where there is room. Water can be taken at Bouzigues on the outer pontoon. Shops and a supermarket are a few hundred metres away.

Ashore

Balaruc-les-Bains is the second largest thermal spa town in France by attendance, with the O'Balia and Thermes Athéna baths 400 m inland. Promenade along the lagoon and market on Tuesday and Friday mornings in the old town. In the evening the lights of Sète show across the étang.