Mouillage

Le Baou Rouge

4.0FranceMarseille and the Calanques

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Shelter: SW, S, SE
Seabed: algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage under the red cliffs of the Calanques massif east of Marseille, inside the Parc national des Calanques.

Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the north. Anchor on the sand patches in 6 to 8 m between the weed, which is thick here, so reset if the holding feels light. Space is tight, six boats about the limit, and it rolls even in calm from swell and passing traffic, so it works best from late afternoon once the day boats leave. Protected from SW, S and SE, open to the mistral from the north-west. A strong east-going current can run through, dangerous for swimmers. Port des Goudes 2.7 nm NW and Port de Morgiou 3.3 nm NE as refuges.

Practical

Forain anchorage with no facilities. Inside the Parc national des Calanques: anchor only within the line of yellow buoys and only on sand, never on Posidonia. Rangers and the maritime police patrol, move boats lying outside the zone, and watch the anchor come up to check no Posidonia is caught, with heavy fines otherwise.

Ashore

The calanques of Sormiou and Morgiou are reachable on foot from nearby trailheads. The GR 98-51 coastal path crosses the massif with views over the anchorage.