Anchorage

Plage des Sableaux

Shelter: NW, W, SW
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage off the Plage des Sableaux on the east coast of Noirmoutier island, Vendée, 16 berths on sand.

Water
Mooring buoys
Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the Baie de Bourgneuf, keeping clear of the oyster beds marked by withies north and south of the anchorage. Sheltered from NW through W to SW by the island, exposed from the east. Tidal currents are strong and set the lie of the boat, so allow for them when anchoring and take care in the dinghy. A north-westerly brings swell in at high water and the anchorage then rolls. VHF 72.

Practical

About five municipal self-service visitor buoys are laid here for a fee, alongside room to anchor on sand, with water ashore at the beach. A free shuttle runs into Noirmoutier town. Noirmoutier-en-l'Île harbour is 1.2 NM to the west through the Chenal du Bois, and Port de Morin 3.3 NM west on the opposite coast of the island.

Ashore

The Bois de la Chaise pine forest, planted in the 19th century, runs along the shore. The Estacade des Sableaux is the old steamship pier built in 1900 to serve passengers from Pornic. Château de Noirmoutier in the town at 1.5 km, built in the 12th century and holding the municipal museum. Passage du Gois tidal causeway at 10 km south.

History

The Bois de la Chaise developed from 1860 when Parisian and Nantais families built seaside villas in the pine grove, following the arrival of the steamship link from Pornic.