Anchorage

Plage de l'arnèche

Shelter: N, NE, E
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage in the Gironde estuary off Meschers-sur-Gironde, mud bottom, sheltered from N to E.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Work up the buoyed channel of the Gironde estuary on a flood tide. Drop off the beach in 3 to 5 metres on sand and mud that holds well. The bottom shoals quickly towards the shore, so boats drawing more than 2 metres should anchor well off. Strong tidal streams reverse at each tide, so lay enough scope and watch the swinging circle. Open to the west, south and SW with long fetch across the estuary.

Practical

No moorings or services at the beach. Meschers-sur-Gironde port 1.6 NM SE dries at low water and has a small marina for visitors. Port Bloc at 3.6 NM W is the all-tide entrance point near the Pointe de Grave.

Ashore

Meschers is known for its troglodyte cliff dwellings carved into the limestone bluffs east of the beach, open to visitors at Les Grottes de Regulus and Les Grottes de Matata. Coastal path along the cliffs toward the village.