- Maximum length
- 328 ft
- VHF channel
- 9
- Maximum draught
- 16 ft
Marina of 5 100 berths south of La Rochelle, one of the largest leisure harbours on the European Atlantic coast.
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Approach from the pertuis d'Antioche between the Ile de Re and the Ile d'Oleron, well marked by the Chauveau and Roche du Sud cardinals. Entry through a buoyed channel with red and green lateral marks, dredged to 2 m below chart datum. There is no tidal gate, but deep-draught boats should still mind low water in the channel. VHF 9, call Minimes Port before entering; advance booking is not taken for larger boats, so berth first at the welcome pontoon and staff then guide boats in. Max draught 5 m in the outer basins.
Practical
Three basins: Marina 1, 2 and 3. Fuel berth open 7 days in season with diesel and petrol. Water and electricity on every pontoon, laundry, toilets and showers in each sanitary block. Numerous chandleries around the basins. Boatyard with 50 t travel lift, winter storage ashore. The third night is often free. Shuttle boat Le Passeur links the marina to the Vieux Port every 30 min, and Yellow bike hire covers the same run by cycle path.
Ashore
Plage des Minimes at the root of the pontoons, lifeguarded in summer. Aquarium de La Rochelle 20 min walk along the seafront, one of the largest in France with 12 000 animals. Old town with the three medieval towers Saint-Nicolas, Chaine and Lanterne, 2 km from the marina.
History
The Minimes marina was inaugurated in 1972 by mayor Michel Crepeau as the first French marina designed from scratch for mass leisure sailing. La Rochelle was a Huguenot stronghold besieged by Richelieu in 1627-1628, a siege that left the town starved for 14 months.
Story
La Rochelle hosts the Grand Pavois boat show every September, the largest on-water boat show in France with about 750 boats displayed.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour
- Coordinates
- 46.14609, -1.16861 (46°8.77'N 1°10.12'W)
- Town
- La Rochelle
- Country
- France
- Maximum draught
- 16 ft
- Maximum length
- 328 ft
- VHF channel
- 9
- Phone
- +33 5 46 44 41 20
- Boaters' rating
- 3.7/5
- Updated
- October 15, 2026
Getting there
La Rochelle - Port des Minimes lies at 46°8.77'N 1°10.12'W, that is 46.14609, -1.16861 in decimal degrees. Call the harbour on VHF channel 9 before entering.
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Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
What boat length does La Rochelle - Port des Minimes accept?
La Rochelle - Port des Minimes accepts boats up to 328 ft.
Which VHF channel for La Rochelle - Port des Minimes?
La Rochelle - Port des Minimes answers on VHF channel 9.
How do boaters rate La Rochelle - Port des Minimes?
La Rochelle - Port des Minimes is rated 3.7/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
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