Anchorage

Plage du Boeuf

4.0FranceVar

Shelter: NW, N, W
Seabed: sand, algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Sand anchorage off a short beach on the south side of the Saint-Mandrier peninsula, west of the naval installations of Cap Cépet.

Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the south on a clear bearing. Bottom is sand with patches of posidonia, so check the set and drop on the sand only, usually in 4 to 6 m near the beach. Shelter from NW, N and W behind the peninsula makes it a good hold in a mistral, though the gusts come in bursts, but it is open to S and SE swell and rolls readily from the wash of boats passing offshore even in light wind. Holding can fail over the weed and boats have dragged after strong south-westerlies. Saint-Elme 1.5 NM NE for a safer refuge.

Practical

Day stop for swimming, with no mooring buoys and no services. The beach is used by naturists. Landing the dinghy is awkward over submerged rocks and some surf, so pick a landing spot. The neighbouring Anse Fabregas, a short dinghy run, has a couple of restaurants including a takeaway pizzeria and a beach with steps and paths into the hills. Saint-Mandrier village and its shops are a walk across the peninsula.