Anchorage

Ile Verte

Shelter: NE, E, S, SW, W
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage in the Gironde estuary off the Île Verte, a wooded island on the right bank between Blaye and Bourg, about 35 NM upstream from Royan.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the buoyed estuary channel. Strong tidal streams in the Gironde, over 3 knots on spring ebb, plan arrival near slack water. The mud is sticky and holds well, with the anchor burying deep, so rig a trip line to break it out. Anchor clear of the fairway used by commercial traffic heading to Bordeaux and Le Verdon.

Practical

Open anchorage, no facilities on the island. Mud bottom, holding generally good. Shelter from NE through S to W. Exposed to N and NW winds funnelling down the estuary. Roque de Thau landing 1.8 NM E and Plassac 1.8 NM NE for refuge.

Ashore

Île Verte is privately owned with vineyards and a small manor, landings restricted, and its foreshore is a noted spot for estuary birdlife. At Plassac 1.8 NM NE, Gallo-Roman villa site with mosaics on display. Bourg-sur-Gironde 4 NM upstream has the Citadelle and troglodyte cellars.