Île de Sein
- Shelter
- NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Seabed
- sand
- Anchoring
- Allowed
Sand anchorage off the Île de Sein, a low island 4 NM west of the Pointe du Raz in Finistère, Brittany.
- Mooring buoys
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Approach through the Chaussée de Sein, a chain of reefs extending more than 8 NM west of the island. Take the Raz de Sein passage on a slack tide, as currents reach 6 to 7 knots on springs. Follow the marked north channel and its alignment, keeping clear of the ferry no-anchoring zones; rocks overhang the last green beacon Guernic by up to 20 metres, so avoid entering at low water. Sand holding in the roadstead north of the island. Local fishermen use the daymark Men-Brial. The harbour basin nearly dries but keeps a little water in the middle; boats beach on firm sand, watching for weed-covered pebbles and the pointed stones in the south-east corner. Well protected from most sectors but open to heavy Atlantic swell and untenable in fresh W to NW winds.
Practical
Port du Men-Brial lies 0,3 NM to the N with a small quay that dries and a few visitor moorings managed by the commune. Water tap on the quay, no fuel, no chandler, but the village has a small supermarket, restaurants and bars. Audierne is the nearest all-weather port 12.5 NM to the E. Vedettes from Audierne and Sainte-Évette serve the island daily.
Ashore
The village and its two lanes sit barely 1,5 m above sea level. The 1950 lighthouse of Goulenez stands 50 m tall at the western tip of the island, 1,5 km from the quay. The Musée de l'Île de Sein covers the island's role in 1940 and the sardine fishery. The restaurant La Case de Tom, the blue house, is known for its lobster stew, and the café Suroit sits by the quay.
History
On 22 and 24 June 1940, 128 men of Sein sailed to England to join Charles de Gaulle after hearing the Appel du 18 juin. The island was decorated Compagnon de la Libération in 1946, one of only five communes in France to receive the distinction.
Key facts
- Type
- Anchorage
- Coordinates
- 48.03425, -4.84784 (48°2.06'N 4°50.87'W)
- Country
- France
- Shelter
- Sheltered from north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west, west, north-west winds
- Seabed
- sand
- Anchoring
- Allowed
- Fees
- Free
- Services
- Mooring buoys
- Boaters' rating
- 4.1/5
- Updated
- October 15, 2026
Getting there
Île de Sein lies at 48°2.06'N 4°50.87'W, that is 48.03425, -4.84784 in decimal degrees.
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Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
Which winds is Île de Sein sheltered from?
Île de Sein is sheltered from north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west, west, north-west winds.
Can you anchor at Île de Sein?
Yes, anchoring is allowed at Île de Sein.
How do boaters rate Île de Sein?
Île de Sein is rated 4.1/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
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