Anchorage

Île de Jarre

Shelter: SE, S
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Uninhabited island south-east of Marseille, inside the Calanques national park, with a sand anchorage on its northern side protected from southerly winds.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the north between Île de Jarre and Île de Riou. Sand bottom in 5 to 10 metres close to the shore. No lights, no buoyage, daylight approach only. Mistral from the NW funnels along the coast and builds a short chop; shelter from SE and S but fully exposed to W and NW.

Practical

Mouillage forain, no facilities, no water, no landing infrastructure. Nearest refuges are Port des Goudes 1.2 NM NW and Port de la Madrague 2 NM N. Mobile coverage patchy behind the cliffs.

Ashore

Landing is regulated by the Parc national des Calanques. Island is a nature reserve for yelkouan shearwaters and storm petrels, access restricted during breeding season from March to July. No paths, no water, no shade.

History

Jarre was used in 1720 as a lazaret during the Marseille plague epidemic, where ships suspected of carrying the disease were quarantined. The remains of the quarantine station are still visible on the north-east shore.