Anchorage

Ile Sainte-Marguerite East

Shelter: N, SW, S, SE
Seabed: sand, algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on the east side of Île Sainte-Marguerite in the Lérins archipelago off Cannes, sand and posidonia bottom, sheltered from N, open to S and SE.

Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the Cannes roadstead, leaving the Cannes harbour entrance to the NW. The Fréjoulière shoal extends SE of the island and is marked by a cardinal buoy. Anchoring is regulated under the ZMEL of the Lérins since 2021: posidonia zones are prohibited for anchors over 24 m LOA, use the dedicated sand patches. Port des Moines is 0.2 NM east.

Practical

No services at the anchorage. Sainte Marguerite Débarcadère landing stage 0.8 NM north is for ferries from Cannes. Nearest fuel and full marina services at Port Pierre Canto and Vieux Port de Cannes, 1.5 NM NW.

Ashore

Fort Royal and the Musée de la Mer 10 minutes walk from the landing stage, cell of the Man in the Iron Mask from 1687 to 1698. Signposted trails around the 160 ha island take about 2 hours. Étang du Batéguier bird reserve on the west side, observation platform reachable in 25 minutes on foot.

History

The Man in the Iron Mask was held in Fort Royal from 1687 under the governorship of Saint-Mars. The island takes its name from Saint Marguerite, sister of Saint Honorat who founded the monastery on the neighbouring island in the 5th century.