Anchorage

Port Kérel

Shelter: NW, N, NE, E
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sandy cove on the south coast of Belle-Île-en-Mer, on the commune of Bangor, with one of the longer sand beaches on the south side of the island.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the south on a clear line, giving a wide berth to the rocky points on either side. It is well sheltered only in settled N to NE winds, and even then a residual W, SW or SE swell wraps into the cove and makes it very rolly, so keep it for fair weather. Anchor on sand in 3 to 5 m with good holding, but the beach shelves very gently, so deeper boats cannot lie close in and often anchor in 10 m or more outside the little ria. Off Port Roder, by two mooring buoys, a chain can snag an old anchor on the bottom. It fills quickly in season.

Practical

No facilities, and there is no mobile signal in the cove. Lifeguard post on the beach in July and August. Nearest full services at Le Palais, 3.7 nm NE, and Sauzon, 4.6 nm N.

Ashore

Beach of around 400 m of sand, popular with day-trippers in summer, and at low tide it dries to a very gentle slope so the dinghy must be dragged well up. The coastal path GR 340 crosses behind the dune and leads to the Aiguilles de Port Coton. Bangor village is 2 km inland, about 35 minutes on foot, with a grocer and a few restaurants, though for bread it is better to aim for Kervilahouen.