Anchorage

Beauduc

Shelter: N, NE, E, S, SE
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Open anchorage off the Beauduc beach on the south shore of the Camargue, in the Rhône delta.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the south in clear weather. Sand bottom, good holding, anchor in 4 to 8 metres. Shoal water extends well offshore, so sound the depth carefully on the way in. The area is thick with fishing traps and marker buoys, worst east of the Pointe de Beauduc where it becomes a slalom in up to 20 metres, so come only in good light and never at night. Keep clear of the restricted zone nearby. No lights, no buoyage, daytime approach only. Nearest refuges are Grau de la Dent 5.3 NM SE and Port Gardian 7.3 NM W.

Practical

No facilities afloat. Landing by tender on the beach. No water, no fuel, no services. Mosquitoes and flies can gather thickly at anchor. The shacks behind the dune sell fish and rice plates in summer only, access by a rough track from Salin-de-Giraud.

Ashore

Pointe de Beauduc and its lagoons form part of the Camargue Regional Nature Park. Birdwatching for flamingos on the étangs behind the dune, around 1 km inland. The nearest village, Salin-de-Giraud, lies about 12 km by track.