Harbour

Le Grand Travers La Grande-Motte

Maximum length: 40 m
Maximum draught: 2 m

Open-coast anchorage off the Grand Travers beach, between Carnon and La Grande-Motte in the Hérault, on the Mediterranean side of the Étang de l'Or.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from seaward, the coast running straight between the entrance to Carnon 2.2 NM west and the harbour of La Grande-Motte 2.2 NM east. Drop the hook on sand in 3 to 5 m, staying outside the swimming zone marked by yellow buoys in summer. Maximum draught 2 m given the shoaling bottom. Fully exposed to the south, untenable in the Marin wind, shelter in La Grande-Motte if the swell builds.

Practical

No shore facilities at the anchorage itself. Beach cafés and restaurants at the Petit Travers car park in summer. La Grande-Motte harbour, 2.2 NM east, has all services including diesel, chandlery and the capitainerie on VHF 9. Halte fluviale de Carnon at 2.2 NM west on the canal.

Ashore

The Grand Travers beach is a 3 km strip of sand backed by protected dunes, part of the Conservatoire du Littoral estate managing the Etang de l'Or lagoon behind it. A cycle path runs along the dune from Carnon to La Grande-Motte. The Étang de l'Or is a Natura 2000 site with flamingos year-round, reached on foot across the dune in 20 minutes.