Harbour

Carro

2.2Les Arnettes, FranceMarseille and the Calanques

Maximum length: 42 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 8 ft

Fishing and pleasure harbour of 180 berths on the Côte Bleue west of Marseille, sheltered behind a rocky headland in the commune of Martigues.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the south or east, entrance between two jetties. Depths are less than charted: reckon on about 1.5 m in places, and a 1.75 m draught can touch, especially at the reception quay on the SE pier. That quay, to the left of the entrance, is poorly protected and takes the wash of fishing boats coming in fast. The harbour gives little shelter in strong wind and is best avoided then; in a blow the fishermen moor across the middle to ride it out. Exposed to the mistral funnelling in from the north-west. VHF 9, though it often goes unanswered.

Practical

180 berths managed by the municipal capitainerie. Arrive within office hours, as the VHF and phone often go unanswered and there is no access to water, electricity or the sanitary block otherwise. Berths are unsecured, with open access to the boats, and the quay can be noisy well into the night. When staff are present payment is by card with an emailed receipt. Bakery, grocery and fishmonger within 200 m of the quay, and a daily morning fish auction on the quai de la Criée.

Ashore

Sentier des douaniers along the Côte Bleue heads east towards Sausset-les-Pins, 3 nautical miles away. Plage du Verdon, a sandy beach, lies 500 m east of the port. Train station on the Marseille to Miramas coastal line gives direct access to Marseille in 45 minutes.

History

Carro remains one of the last active fishing ports of the Côte Bleue, with a small fleet targeting sea bream, sea bass and octopus. The fish auction on the quay has operated continuously since the 1950s.