Mouillage

Mont Saint-Michel

Ouvrir dans BoatMap ItinéraireEnregistrer

Shelter: NW, W, SW, S, SE
Seabed: sand, mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Tidal anchorage in the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, off the UNESCO World Heritage abbey island. Sand and mud bottom, shelter from NW through SE.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

One of the strongest tidal ranges in Europe, up to 14 metres on springs. The bay dries extensively, only deep-draught access at high water. Strong incoming bore on spring tides. No marked channel to the mont itself, local knowledge required. Quicksands around the mont at low water.

Practical

No services at the anchorage. Nearest harbours are Granville Hérel 12.4 NM to the N and Cancale 13.5 NM to the W, both with full marina facilities.

Ashore

Mont Saint-Michel abbey dates from the 10th century, a Benedictine foundation listed by UNESCO in 1979. The village at its foot has shops, restaurants and the GR 34 coastal path heads west toward Cancale. Causeway bridge since 2014 replaced the old dyke, allowing the tide to circulate around the mont again.

History

A monastery was founded on the mont in 708 by Aubert, bishop of Avranches. The Benedictine abbey, built from the 10th century onwards, resisted English sieges during the Hundred Years' War. Listed by UNESCO in 1979 along with the bay.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 48.63561, -1.50819 (48°38.14'N 1°30.49'W)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, west, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: sand, mud
Anchoring: Allowed
Boaters' rating: 5.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026